Description
This Ambrosia Salad is a creamy, fruity dessert featuring mini marshmallows, tropical fruits, and coconut. It’s an easy-to-make, refreshing dish perfect for potlucks and picnics, guaranteed to delight your guests!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 1 cup shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened, based on preference)
- 1 cup canned mandarin oranges, drained
- 1 cup pineapple chunks, drained
- 1 cup maraschino cherries, drained and halved
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup whipped topping (like Cool Whip)
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Gather all your ingredients: Lay everything out on the counter for easy access.
- Drain the canned fruits: Open the cans of mandarin oranges and pineapple chunks, and drain them in a colander to remove excess juice.
- Chop the cherries: Halve the maraschino cherries for easier mixing and better presentation.
- Prepare the nuts (if using): Chop the pecans or walnuts into smaller pieces.
- Combine the sour cream and whipped topping: In a large mixing bowl, mix 1 cup of sour cream and 1 cup of whipped topping. Optionally, add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and fold until smooth.
- Add the fruits: Gently fold in the drained mandarin oranges, pineapple chunks, and halved cherries into the creamy mixture.
- Incorporate the marshmallows and coconut: Add 1 cup of mini marshmallows and 1 cup of shredded coconut, folding gently to combine.
- Add the nuts (if using): Fold in the chopped nuts for added crunch.
- Cover and refrigerate: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld.
- Prepare your serving dish: Choose a large glass bowl or individual cups for serving.
- Scoop and serve: After chilling, gently stir the salad and serve it into your prepared dish.
- Garnish (optional): Top with extra shredded coconut or maraschino cherries for a decorative touch.
- Taste and adjust: Before serving, taste the salad and add sugar or honey if desired for extra sweetness.
Notes
- For a lighter version, you can use low-fat sour cream and whipped topping.
- Feel free to customize the fruits based on your preferences or seasonal availability.
- This salad can be made a day in advance for enhanced flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes