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If you’re craving a delightful, nostalgic treat that brims with fruity freshness and creamy goodness, you’ve just found the Best Ambrosia Salad Recipe. This vibrant dessert salad is a perfect balance of sweet marshmallows, tangy fruit, crunchy nuts, and luscious whipped cream, all mingling together into a heavenly symphony of flavors and textures. Whether you’re bringing a dish to a family gathering or simply want a quick, no-bake delight at home, this recipe is an absolute showstopper that’s as easy to make as it is delicious.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of the Best Ambrosia Salad Recipe lies in its simple yet thoughtfully chosen ingredients. Each one adds a unique touch—whether it’s the creaminess, the fruity punch, or that irresistible crunch. Let’s take a closer look at what you’ll need to bring this dish to life.
- Cool whip (8 oz tub, thawed): The creamy, fluffy base that makes this salad irresistibly smooth and light.
- Milk (1/4 cup): Adds moisture and helps mix everything perfectly for a luscious texture.
- Sour cream (1/2 cup): Introduces a slight tang that balances the sweetness beautifully.
- Instant vanilla pudding mix (3.4 oz box): This dry powder thickens the salad and adds a subtle vanilla flavor that ties it all together.
- Sweetened shredded coconut (1 cup): Provides chewy texture and tropical aroma for an exotic twist.
- Chopped nuts (1 cup): Walnuts or pecans work wonderfully to lend a delightful crunch and nutty richness.
- Mini marshmallows (2 cups): Soft, sweet bites that melt lightly with every spoonful.
- Mandarin oranges (2 cans, 15 oz each, drained): Juicy citrus bursts that brighten the salad with their natural sweetness.
- Crushed pineapple (1 can, 8 oz, slightly drained): Adds a juicy tropical flavor and a bit of tang; save some juice to adjust salad consistency.
- Maraschino cherries (1 jar, 14 oz, drained): Sweet and vibrantly red, these cherries add color and a classic sweet punch.
How to Make Best Ambrosia Salad Recipe
Step 1: Create the Creamy Base
Start by combining the cool whip, milk, sour cream, and instant vanilla pudding mix in a large bowl. Stir this mixture together until it’s smooth and homogenous. This creamy base is the heart of your ambrosia, providing a luscious, rich foundation for all the other ingredients to mingle with.
Step 2: Add Texture and Flavor
Next, incorporate the coconut, chopped nuts, and mini marshmallows into your creamy blend. These ingredients add delightful chewiness, crunch, and sweetness, creating layers of texture that make every bite interesting and satisfying.
Step 3: Gently Fold in the Fruit
Carefully fold in the mandarin oranges, crushed pineapple, and maraschino cherries. Take your time here to preserve the fruit’s juicy bursts and keep those cherries intact. This step infuses your salad with vibrant colors and refreshing flavors that are signature to the Best Ambrosia Salad Recipe.
Step 4: Adjust Consistency with Pineapple Juice
If your salad feels a bit thick, feel free to add some of the reserved pineapple juice. This is a personal preference that allows you to tailor the salad’s texture exactly to your liking—whether you prefer it creamier or more fluid.
Step 5: Chill or Serve Immediately
You can enjoy your ambrosia salad right away, or cover and chill it for up to 24 hours to allow the flavors to meld beautifully. Chilling also softens the marshmallows slightly and lets the pudding mix set, making the salad even more luxurious.
How to Serve Best Ambrosia Salad Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a few thoughtfully chosen garnishes can elevate this already stunning salad. Consider topping with a sprinkle of extra chopped nuts, a few vibrant maraschino cherries on top for color pop, or a light dusting of shredded coconut to enhance the tropical vibe. These simple touches make your presentation shine.
Side Dishes
Ambrosia salad pairs beautifully with a variety of light, fresh dishes. Serve it alongside grilled chicken, a crisp green salad, or buttery biscuits for a refreshing contrast. It also works as a sweet complement to rich, savory main courses at holiday or summer meals.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress your guests? Try serving the Best Ambrosia Salad Recipe in individual clear parfait glasses layered with additional fruit or crushed cookies at the bottom. You can also scoop it into hollowed-out oranges or pineapple shells for a fun, festive look perfect for parties and potlucks.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your ambrosia salad, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It stays fresh and flavorful for up to 2 days, though chances are it won’t last that long because it’s that good!
Freezing
This salad doesn’t freeze well due to its creamy texture and fresh fruit content, which can become watery and mushy upon thawing. For best results, make it fresh or use within a couple of days.
Reheating
The Best Ambrosia Salad Recipe is best enjoyed chilled and served cold. It should not be reheated, as warming will break down the creamy components and alter the fresh fruit texture.
FAQs
Can I use fresh fruit instead of canned?
Absolutely! Fresh mandarin oranges, pineapple, and cherries can be used if you prefer, but make sure to drain any excess juice to keep the salad from becoming too watery.
Is there a way to make this salad healthier?
Yes! You can swap regular cool whip for a lighter version or whipped Greek yogurt, reduce the marshmallows, and use nuts generously for added healthy fats and protein.
How far in advance can I prepare this salad?
This salad can be made up to 24 hours ahead, which actually helps the flavors meld together beautifully. Just give it a gentle stir before serving.
Can I omit the nuts?
If you’re allergic or simply don’t like nuts, you can leave them out or replace them with sunflower seeds or chopped dried fruit for a different crunch.
What’s the difference between ambrosia salad and fruit salad?
Ambrosia salad always includes a creamy base, marshmallows, and coconut, which create a unique texture and flavor experience that sets it apart from a typical fresh fruit salad.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have the Best Ambrosia Salad Recipe in your hands, you’re all set to wow your family and friends with this classic, crowd-pleasing dish. It’s effortless to whip up, vibrant, and full of those comforting flavors that feel like a warm hug. Dive in and enjoy every sweet, tangy, and creamy bite—it’s one recipe you’ll want to keep coming back to!
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Best Ambrosia Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
A classic and refreshing Ambrosia fruit salad combining creamy whipped topping, instant vanilla pudding, coconut, nuts, mini marshmallows, and a mix of mandarin oranges, crushed pineapple, and maraschino cherries. Perfect as a light dessert or side dish, it requires no cooking and can be prepared in minutes.
Ingredients
Salad Base
- 1 (8-oz) tub cool whip (regular or lite, thawed)
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 (3.4-oz) box instant vanilla pudding mix (dry powder)
Add-ins
- 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
Fruit
- 2 (15-oz) cans mandarin oranges, drained well
- 1 (8-oz) can crushed pineapple, slightly drained (reserve juice)
- 1 (14-oz) jar maraschino cherries, drained well
Instructions
- Prepare the base: In a large bowl, combine the cool whip, milk, sour cream, and instant vanilla pudding mix. Stir until smooth and well blended to create the creamy base for the salad.
- Add coconut, nuts, and marshmallows: Mix in the shredded coconut, chopped nuts, and mini marshmallows. Stir thoroughly to evenly distribute these ingredients throughout the creamy base.
- Incorporate the fruit: Gently fold in the drained mandarin oranges, crushed pineapple, and maraschino cherries to avoid breaking the fruit pieces, ensuring the salad remains visually appealing and the flavors balanced.
- Adjust consistency: If the salad is thicker than preferred, add some of the reserved pineapple juice a little at a time to loosen the mixture to your desired consistency. This step is optional and based on personal preference.
- Chill or serve: Serve the Ambrosia salad immediately for best freshness, or cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours to allow the flavors to meld and chill nicely before serving.
Notes
- Use regular or lite cool whip based on your preference for lighter or richer salad.
- Chopped walnuts or pecans both work well for added texture and flavor.
- Drain canned fruits well to avoid excess liquid diluting the salad.
- Reserving some pineapple juice allows you to adjust salad consistency if necessary.
- This recipe is best served chilled but can be served immediately if desired.
