This fun and easy Ambrosia Salad is a delectable combination of fresh whipped cream, sour cream, mini marshmallows, coconut, mandarin oranges, pineapple, maraschino cherries, and pecans. The end result is a side dish that is pure heaven and always a hot commodity at potlucks, family reunions, and holiday parties like Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Spring and summer are right around the corner, and with them brings lots of bright, fun, and festive side salads. This recipe, Best Broccoli Salad, Tomato Salad, and Carrot Salad are just a few of our favorites.
What’s In This Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- This beautifully bright and colorful dessert salad is always a show-stopper, whether on the Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner table or at the office potluck.
- Even with fresh whipped cream, this recipe only takes about 15 minutes of hands-on time, leaving plenty of time for the rest of the meal.
- This classic salad is loved by multiple generations, from the grandparents right down to the little kiddos.
Ingredients Needed
- Whipping cream: I like the taste of real whipped cream in this dish, but in a pinch, Cool Whip works as a good substitute.
- Powdered sugar: also known as confectioners’ sugar
- Mini marshmallows: white or the fun fruity ones
- Coconut: sweetened coconut flakes
- Mandarin oranges: canned; don’t forget to drain them
- Pineapple: canned is best; don’t forget to drain
- Maraschino cherries: pitted and stems removed
- Nuts: chopped pecans or walnuts
How to make Ambrosia Salad
This is the nutshell version; see the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and instructions.
Start by making the whipped cream using a stand mixer or handheld electric mixer. First, chill the bowl and beaters for about 15-20 minutes. Then combine the whipping cream and powdered sugar in the chilled large bowl. Beat on medium-high speed until medium to stiff peaks form.
Add the sour cream, mini marshmallows, coconut, mandarin orange slices, pineapple, maraschino cherries, and pecans. Using a spatula, gently fold the ingredients together. For best results, chill for about 1 hour prior to serving.
Recipe Tips
- Other fresh fruits to consider adding or substituting are grapes, blueberries, peaches, or bananas.
- You can add vanilla Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, or cream cheese, but I like the texture of the whipped cream and sour cream.
- For added flavor, toast the pecans. Toast them whole in a single layer on a baking sheet at 350 degrees for 7-8 minutes or until fragrant. As soon as you remove them from the oven, transfer them to a bowl to stop the cooking process. Walnuts and pistachios work well too.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It does not freeze well.
More fruit recipes
Ambrosia Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- ¾ cup whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 ½ cups mini marshmallows
- 1 cup sweetened coconut flakes
- 1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
- 1 (8 ounce) can pineapple tidbit drained
- ½ cup maraschino cherries drained stems removed
- ¾ cup toasted chopped pecans
Instructions
- Chill the bowl and beaters in the freezer for about 15-20 minutes. Combine the whipping cream and powdered sugar in the chilled bowl. Beat on medium-high speed until medium to stiff peaks form.
- Add the sour cream, mini marshmallows, coconut, mandarin oranges, pineapple, maraschino cherries, and pecans.
- Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the ingredients together. For best results, chill for 1 hour prior to serving.
Notes
- Other fresh fruits to consider adding or substituting are grapes, blueberries, peaches, or bananas.
- You can add vanilla Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, or cream cheese, but I like the texture of the whipped cream and sour cream.
- For added flavor, toast the pecans. Toast them whole in a single layer on a baking sheet at 350 degrees for 7-8 minutes or until fragrant. As soon as you remove them from the oven, transfer them to a bowl to stop the cooking process. Walnuts and pistachios work well too.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It does not freeze well.
Nutrition
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https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beth-1.pdf
Dianne Sorensen
Hi, our family has made this for over 50 years. I’ve seen different versions, but still prefer the original recipe. There is no cream, except the sour cream. Adding the whipping cream, and the sugar, makes it into dessert, as some here have thought it to be. If you use only sour cream, it still us very sweet because of the marshmallows adding sweetness.
Bek
I grew up having this salad at my grandmother’s house for EVERY major holiday, and I so looked forward to it! I’m thrilled to have this recipe in my possession again! Although I’ve already shopped for tomorrow, rest assured, this will make an appearance at both Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, and every holiday going forward! It will also be included in the cookbook I’m putting together for my boys, “When BoBo (their grandmother) Used to Cook.” I’m thrilled that it will be a part of our family traditions again from now on!
Beth Pierce
That is so awesome. Food can be so nostalgic. It is a little like a time machine.
Jenny
Beck, that sounds like a great cookbook! How did the name Bobo get started?
Beth, such a delicious, classic, super-unhealthy (lol) “salad”! Everyone loves it! Although, here it’s a dessert, like Pretzel “Salad” and Taffy Apple “Salad”! There probably will never be leftovers, but you’re right, it wouldn’t freeze well. It would be good with cereal or plain yogurt for breakfast the next day, or I have frozen it, then blended it into a smoothie with plain yogurt and any kind of frozen fruit! I can’t stand to waste food.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Jenny for all those great ideas! I love the breakfast idea with a little granola.
Karen Schott
This is SO delicious, even better than what my mom used to make! Thank you!
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Karen! So glad that you liked it
Lisalia
Yummy! My aunt always made this for family gatherings. So glad to finally have the recipe to make for my family. there are lots of variations on this recipe – but YOURS is like the one I had growing up. The ratios of fruit, nuts and dressing is SPOT ON!
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much! I sure hope you enjoy it!
Rebecca Hubbell
I grew up eating Ambrosia Salad but hadn’t made it before, this recipe is a winner – so easy and so good! Thank you!
Allyson Zea
This looks amazing! I’ve never tried this, but now I’m adding it to my list of must try recipes!
Toni
We love this ambrosia salad! My kids are requesting this again!
Catalina
It’s a treat that my family will love it for sure! This Ambrosia salad looks so inviting!
Beti | easyweeknightrecipes
Such a fantastic dessert! Everyone loved this Ambrosia Salad!!
katerina @ diethood.com
Ambrosia Salad is my favorite! I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Tania | Fit Foodie Nutter
This is a real show stopper and would be a great addition to the Easter table!
Kay
Great for the kids for an Easter treat. I will get them to help me make it!
Kate
Oh my, what an incredible dessert – so many gorgeous things in there!! This would go down such a treat at a potluck supper – thanks for a great recipe! x
Dannii
This might actually be a salad I can get my husband to eat. It looks deliciously indulgent.
Jo
This ambrosia salad is AMAZING!! Seriously so much flavor and so delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
I know for sure this Ambrosia Salad would be a huge hit in my house!