Description
Sweet nostalgia meets tropical delight in this classic Ambrosia Salad, blending marshmallows, coconut, and fruity goodness. Southern charm and creamy textures promise a refreshing dessert that connects generations with each delectable spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits:
- 2 cups mandarin oranges
- 2 cups pineapple chunks
- 1 cup maraschino cherries
- 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
Dairy and Creamy Base:
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup whipped cream
- 1/2 cup greek yogurt
Nuts and Additional Mix-ins:
- 1/2 cup mini marshmallows
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
Instructions
- Drain mandarin oranges, pineapple chunks, and maraschino cherries thoroughly in a colander, ensuring all excess liquid is removed to prevent a watery salad.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, gently fold sour cream, whipped cream, and Greek yogurt until the mixture becomes smooth and well-integrated, creating a creamy base.
- Carefully incorporate the drained fruits into the creamy mixture, using a soft spatula to prevent crushing the delicate fruit pieces.
- Sprinkle sweetened shredded coconut over the fruit and cream mixture, gently stirring to distribute evenly throughout the salad.
- Add mini marshmallows, chopped pecans, and sliced almonds, folding them into the mixture to ensure a balanced distribution of textures and flavors.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, allowing the flavors to meld and the salad to chill thoroughly.
- Before serving, give the ambrosia salad a gentle stir to redistribute the ingredients and ensure a consistent texture.
- Serve cold, optionally garnishing with an extra sprinkle of coconut or a few reserved nuts for added visual appeal.
Notes
- Pat fruits completely dry after draining to maintain the salad’s creamy texture and prevent wateriness.
- Whip cream and yogurt mixture to soft peaks for a lighter, airier consistency that blends smoothly with fruits.
- Fold ingredients gently to preserve the delicate structure and prevent fruit from breaking or becoming mushy.
- Customize the salad by substituting nuts with seeds for nut allergies or using dairy-free alternatives like coconut cream for a vegan version.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 65 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg