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A large white bowl of creamy Ambrosia Salad topped with maraschino cherries and shredded coconut, surrounded by bowls of mini marshmallows, pecans, cherries, and coconut on a marble surface.
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5 from 57 votes

Ambrosia Salad Recipe

Ambrosia salad shows up at Southern Easter and Christmas tables, and at almost every summer potluck below the Mason-Dixon. I make mine with pineapple, mandarin oranges, maraschino cherries, mini marshmallows, and shredded coconut, folded into a sour cream and Cool Whip base.
Prep Time10 minutes
Chill Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 10 minutes
Course: Dessert, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Ambrosia Salad Recipe
Servings: 6
Calories: 506kcal
Author: Stephanie Keeping

Ingredients

  • 8 ounce container Cool Whip thawed
  • ¾ cup sour cream
  • 1 ½ cups mini marshmallows
  • 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
  • ½ cup chopped pecans 1 tablespoon reserved for garnish
  • 20 ounce can pineapple tidbits in 100% juice drained well
  • 15 ounce can mandarin orange segments in 100% juice drained well
  • 1 cup maraschino cherries drained well and halved

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, gently fold together the Cool Whip and sour cream.
    A glass bowl filled with fluffy whipped cream for Ambrosia Salad, with a spatula resting inside, sits on a white marble surface.
  • Add the mini marshmallows, sweetened shredded coconut, and chopped pecans (reserve 1 tablespoon pecans for garnish) and gently fold until all the ingredients are incorporated. Don't overmix.
    A glass bowl filled with creamy Ambrosia Salad, dotted with small fruit chunks and being mixed with a wooden spoon, sits on a white marble surface.
  • Add the DRAINED pineapple tidbits, mandarin orange segments, and maraschino cherries to the bowl. Gently fold together to avoid breaking apart the fruit pieces, just until the fruit is evenly distributed.
    A glass bowl on a marble surface contains Ambrosia Salad ingredients: whipped cream, chopped pineapples, mandarin orange slices, and maraschino cherries, with a wooden spoon ready for mixing.
  • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the salad to chill and the flavors to meld. The mixture should be fluffy and slightly thickened after chilling.
    A glass bowl filled with a creamy Ambrosia Salad mixture, containing pieces of orange and red fruit, set on a white marble surface.
  • Once chilled, give the salad a gentle fold before transferring to a serving bowl.
    A large glass bowl brimming with Ambrosia Salad—whipped cream, marshmallows, cherries, pineapple, coconut, and nuts—invites you to scoop some out. Ingredients and empty glass dishes are arranged around the colorful dessert.
  • Sprinkle the reserved 1 tablespoon chopped pecans on top to garnish.

Nutrition

Calories: 506kcal | Carbohydrates: 73g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 205mg | Potassium: 366mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 65g | Vitamin A: 1538IU | Vitamin C: 33mg | Calcium: 120mg | Iron: 1mg
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