My ambrosia fruit salad recipe is a classic recipe that has been around for years. This ambrosia dessert is made with Cool Whip, yogurt, maraschino cherries, grapes, pineapple, and more. A sweet and crunchy Cool Whip salad.
You will find that ambrosia is a traditional mixed fruit salad that is creamy, sweet, and crunchy. A simple dessert salad that has been served for years, especially in the southern states.
If you are looking for more, you have to try these other easy fruit desserts. Papaya breakfast bowl, watermelon blueberry salad, or even this waffle bowl with fruit.
Why you’ll love this recipe!
- Mix of various fruit.
- Sweet and delicious.
- Can be made in advance. A great dessert for potlucks, summer cookouts, holiday gatherings, etc.
- Uses canned fruit for easy prep.
Ingredients In Ambrosia Salad
- Cool Whip – Thawed, tub-style whipped cream.
- Yogurt – Greek plain yogurt or sour cream.
- Mandarin Oranges – Canned oranges, drained well.
- Pineapple Tidbits – Canned pineapple, drained well.
- Grapes – Leave whole or slice in half.
- Maraschino cherries – Drain well from juice.
- Marshmallows – Mini marshmallows or fruit flavored.
- Coconut – Shredded and sweetened.
- Walnuts – Optional chopped walnuts.
The complete list of ingredients, quantities, and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.
How To Make Ambrosia Salad
- In a large mixing bowl, add your Cool Whip and your Greek Yogurt together. Mix until combined.
- Add in the rest of the ingredients and mix to combine.
- Refrigerate salad for at least 4 hours to overnight.
- Garnish with coconut, walnuts, and cherries right before serving.
Substitutions/Additions
Fruit – Consider swapping out the type of fruit you are using in the salad. You can use any type of canned fruit. Just drain off any juice. Even fresh strawberries, purple grapes, etc.
Whipped topping – If you want make a homemade whipped topping to use in replace of the Cool Whip.
Lower Calories – If you are watching your calories use a light Cool Whip and reach for no sugar added fruit.
Flavor – Add in a tablespoon of vanilla pudding to add more flavor to the salad.
Nuts – Swap out the walnuts with pecans, cashews, or leave out the nuts for a creamier fruit salad.
Storing Tips
Refrigerator
You can store your ambrosia salad in the fridge for 3-4 days. You will find that with each day the marshmallows will get a bit soggier, and all the fruit will release more juice, making it a runnier salad.
Freezing
Due to the ingredients used, you will find it does not freeze well. I recommend only making what you plan to eat before the salad spoils.
What To Serve With Marshmallow Salad
So this dessert marshmallow salad is so easy to throw together to end your meal. Here are some of my favorites that pair well as a main dish and sides.
Consider serving up a club sandwich as a lighter main dish and a sweet fruit salad as dessert. Or go for more of a classic main dish which is a pot roast made in the crockpot.
FAQs
The 70’s is when the 5-cup salad or also known as ambrosia salad, was most popular. It came about in Australia and since then has taken the whole world by storm.
Yes, ambrosia is still a dessert salad that is still eaten today. You will find that ambrosia fluff salad is often served around Christmas, Easter, and other holiday events. But also, when it comes to summer entertaining, it is served at cookouts as well.
Need more easy dessert recipes? Try these:
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Printable Recipe Card
Ambrosia Fruit Salad
Ingredients
- 8 ounce Cool Whip thawed
- 8 ounce plain greek yogurt OR sour cream
- 30 ounce can mandarin oranges drained well
- 40 ounce can pineapple tidbits drained well
- 1 ½ cups green grapes
- 16 ounce jar maraschino cherries drained well
- 10 ounce bag mini marshmallows regular or fruit flavored
- 2 cups shredded coconut
- ¾ cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl you will add your Cool Whip and the Greek yogurt together.
- With a spatula mix to combine the two. Don't overmix or it will deflate the whipped topping.
- Add in all the other ingredients except the coconut, nuts, and the cherries. The rest add in and mix well.
- Refrigerate the ambrosia fruit salad for up to 4 hours to overnight.
- Right before serving stir in the nuts, coconut, and cherries.
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