Delightful Ambrosia Salad Recipe: A Fruity Cloud of Sweetness

Whipping up a crowd-pleasing ambrosia salad brings pure joy to any gathering.

Sweet marshmallows and tropical fruits dance together in this classic dessert.

Creamy textures mingle with crunchy coconut shavings for a delightful sensory experience.

Memories of summer potlucks and family picnics flood back with each delectable bite.

Generations have cherished this simple yet spectacular treat across countless celebrations.

Colorful ingredients promise a refreshing twist that will spark conversation and delight everyone at the table.

Dig in and savor every spoonful of this irresistible Southern comfort classic.

What Makes Delightful Ambrosia Salad So Refreshing

• Craft Quickly: This recipe requires minimal cooking skills, making it perfect for beginners or anyone wanting a simple dessert.
• Crowd-Pleasing Treat: Packed with sweet and creamy ingredients that appeal to both kids and adults, guaranteeing smiles at potlucks and family gatherings.
• No-Bake Wonder: Skip the oven entirely and enjoy a refreshing dessert that comes together in minutes without heating up the kitchen.
• Versatile Dessert: Easily adaptable for different occasions like summer parties, holiday celebrations, or as a sweet side dish that complements many meal types.

Ingredients for Delightful Ambrosia Salad

• Pineapple: Sweet and tangy fruit that adds tropical flavor to the salad.
• Mandarin Oranges: Juicy citrus segments that bring bright, refreshing notes.
• Maraschino Cherries: Sweet and colorful fruit that provides a pop of vibrant red color.

• Sour Cream: Tangy dairy product that creates a rich and creamy base.
• Whipped Topping: Light and fluffy ingredient that adds volume and smoothness.

• Marshmallows, Coconut Flakes: Soft and sweet elements that provide delightful texture.
• Pecans: Crunchy nuts that give a nutty flavor and added dimension to the salad.

How to Toss Delightful Ambrosia Salad

Step 1: Gather Fresh Ingredients

Raid your pantry and refrigerator for these delectable components: crushed pineapple, mandarin orange segments, shredded coconut, mini marshmallows, creamy sour cream, fluffy whipped topping, maraschino cherries, and crunchy chopped pecans.

Step 2: Mix Magic in a Bowl

• Crushed pineapple
• Mandarin orange segments
• Shredded coconut
• Mini marshmallows
• Sour cream
• Whipped topping
• Maraschino cherries
• Chopped pecans

Step 3: Create Creamy Harmony

Use a soft spatula to gently blend all ingredients, ensuring each morsel gets coated with the luscious mixture. Stir carefully to keep the texture light and airy, preventing any ingredients from getting smashed.

Step 4: Chill and Enhance Flavors

Cover your bowl with plastic wrap and slide it into the refrigerator. Let the ambrosia salad rest and meld its flavors for at least one hour, allowing the ingredients to become friends and create a divine dessert experience.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Scoop the chilled ambrosia salad into serving bowls, watching the colorful medley glisten. Serve cold and watch your guests’ faces light up with delight.

Expert Tips for Delightful Ambrosia Salad

• Drain canned fruits thoroughly to prevent watery texture and maintain the salad's creamy consistency.
• Use full-fat sour cream and whipped topping for richer, more indulgent flavor and smoother mouthfeel.
• Chop pecans roughly for better texture and distribute them evenly throughout the salad for balanced crunch.
• Chill the salad for at least 2-3 hours to allow flavors to meld and develop a more harmonious taste profile.
• For a lighter version, substitute low-fat sour cream and sugar-free whipped topping to reduce calories without compromising flavor.

Variations to Refresh Delightful Ambrosia Salad

• Tropical Paradise: Replace pecans with macadamia nuts, add diced mango, and sprinkle toasted coconut flakes for an extra island-inspired flavor profile.
• Berry Bliss: Swap cherries for fresh raspberries and blueberries, use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream to boost protein and tanginess.
• Citrus Punch: Include grated orange zest, add blood orange segments, and mix in a splash of fresh lime juice for a bright, zesty version.
• Nutty Crunch: Incorporate chopped almonds, use almond extract in the whipped topping, and garnish with toasted sliced almonds for a rich, nutty experience.

Perfect Pairings for Delightful Ambrosia Salad

• Amplify Tropical Sweetness: Pair this creamy ambrosia salad with a crisp, chilled moscato wine that echoes its fruity and sweet profile.
• Complement Dessert Texture: Serve alongside light coconut macaroons to enhance the coconut notes and provide a complementary crunch.
• Balance Creamy Richness: Choose a bright, citrusy sparkling water or a light rum cocktail to cut through the salad's creamy, dense texture.
• Elevate Flavor Harmony: Match with a vanilla bean pound cake that mirrors the dessert's sweet, pillowy marshmallow essence while offering a subtle contrasting base.

Storing Delightful Ambrosia Salad Properly

• Store leftover ambrosia salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping it fresh and cool.
• Cover the surface with plastic wrap directly touching the salad to prevent moisture loss and maintain its creamy texture.
• Always keep the salad chilled, as the dairy ingredients can spoil quickly at room temperature.
• Do not freeze this dessert, as the marshmallows and whipped topping will break down and lose their original smooth consistency.

FAQs on Delightful Ambrosia Salad

• What are the key flavors in this ambrosia salad?

The salad blends sweet tropical fruits like pineapple and mandarin oranges with creamy sour cream, fluffy marshmallows, and crunchy pecans for a delightful mix of textures and tastes.

• Is this a traditional southern dessert?

Yes, ambrosia salad originated in the southern United States and has been a popular potluck and holiday side dish for generations, known for its sweet and creamy profile.

• Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! This salad actually tastes better when chilled for a few hours, allowing the flavors to meld together and become more pronounced.

Delightful Ambrosia Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Creamy ambrosia salad brings tropical paradise to dessert tables with marshmallow clouds and fruity sweetness. Sweet Hawaiian-inspired delights blend perfectly, offering you a refreshing escape from ordinary summer treats.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fruits:

• 1 can (20 ounces / 567 grams) pineapple chunks, drained
• 1 can (11 ounces / 312 grams) mandarin oranges, drained
• 1/2 cup maraschino cherries, drained and chopped

Dairy and Sweet Components:

• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup whipped topping
• 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
• 1 cup mini marshmallows

Nuts:

• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

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Instructions

1. Drain excess liquid from pineapple and mandarin oranges to prevent watery consistency.
2. Transfer drained fruit into a spacious mixing vessel, creating a vibrant tropical base.
3. Add fluffy marshmallows, creating soft, pillowy texture throughout the mixture.
4. Incorporate shredded coconut, providing delicate crunch and tropical essence.
5. Blend sour cream and whipped topping until smooth, creating a creamy binding agent.
6. Gently fold the creamy mixture into fruit and marshmallow combination, ensuring even distribution.
7. Sprinkle chopped pecans for subtle nutty undertones and additional textural complexity.
8. Scatter maraschino cherries, adding bright crimson accents and sweet-tart flavor.
9. Thoroughly integrate all components, avoiding aggressive stirring to maintain ingredient integrity.
10. Seal container with tight-fitting lid and chill in refrigerator for minimum 60 minutes.
11. Allow flavors to meld and merge, enhancing overall taste profile before serving.
12. Serve cold as refreshing dessert or delightful side dish for gatherings.

Notes

• Customize the sweetness by adjusting marshmallow quantity based on personal preference for a balanced flavor profile.
• Opt for Greek yogurt instead of sour cream to reduce calories and boost protein content while maintaining creamy texture.
• Toast pecans briefly before adding to enhance their nutty flavor and provide a delightful crunch to the salad.
• Prep ingredients ahead and chill overnight to allow flavors to meld together, creating a more complex and harmonious dessert experience.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: No-cook
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 266 kcal
• Sugar: 31 g
• Sodium: 74 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 17 mg