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
Scale
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.
