Ambrosia salad
Creamy old-fashioned ambrosia salad with pineapple, mandarin oranges, cherries, mini marshmallows, coconut and pecans in a light whipped cream dressing.
20% of it needs you at the counter
- Hands-on
- 15 min
- Resting
- 1 hr
- Serves
- 10
- Calories
- 240
- Protein
- 2 g
- Per serving
- $0.93
Why this recipe works
Ambrosia is the fluffy fruit salad that shows up at every Southern holiday table and church potluck: canned fruit, mini marshmallows and coconut in a creamy dressing. It's sweet enough to be dessert and is ready in 15 minutes.
- Draining the canned fruit very well, then patting it dry, is the fix for watery ambrosia that turns soupy overnight.
- Real whipped cream folded with sour cream gives a fresh, tangy dressing that isn't as sweet as tub topping alone.
- An hour in the fridge softens the marshmallows and coconut and blends the flavors.
Ingredients
For the dressing
You will need
- Large mixing bowl
- Hand mixer or whisk
- Colander
Method
Tap a step number to mark it done.
Drain the fruit
Drain the pineapple and oranges in a colander for 10 minutes, then spread them on paper towels with the cherries and pat dry.
Make the dressing
Whip the cream and powdered sugar to soft peaks, then fold in the sour cream until smooth.
Fold together
In a large bowl, gently fold the fruit, marshmallows, coconut and pecans into the dressing until evenly coated.
Chill and serve
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Stir gently and serve cold.
Cook's notes
- Most marshmallows contain gelatin, so this isn't vegetarian as written. Look for gelatin-free marshmallows if that matters.
- Add the pecans just before serving if making it a day ahead, so they stay crunchy.
- Ambrosia keeps 2 days in the fridge; after that the fruit releases juice and the dressing thins.
Nutrition per serving
240 calories
$0.93 estimated cost per serving
Where the calories come from
| Protein | 3% of calories | 2 g |
|---|---|---|
| Carbs | 40% of calories | 25 g |
| Fat | 57% of calories | 16 g |
| Fiber | 2 g | |
| Sodium | 40 mg |
Calculated from USDA FoodData Central values for the listed ingredients and amounts; not lab-tested. Cost estimated from average US retail prices.
Questions people ask
What is in ambrosia salad?
Pineapple, mandarin oranges, maraschino cherries, mini marshmallows and coconut in a creamy dressing of whipped cream, sour cream or whipped topping. Pecans are a common addition.
How do you keep ambrosia salad from getting watery?
Drain the canned fruit for several minutes and pat it dry with paper towels before folding it in.
Can you make ambrosia salad the night before?
Yes. It's best made 1 to 24 hours ahead. Fold in the nuts right before serving.
