This Ambrosia Salad is a family favorite during the holidays. It combines pineapple, oranges, grapes, maraschino cherries, miniature marshmallows, and shredded coconut in a creamy and slightly tangy dressing.
What Is Ambrosia Salad?
A typical ambrosia salad is a sweet and fruity dessert made with mini marshmallows, shredded coconut, canned fruits like mandarin oranges and pineapple tidbits, maraschino cherries, and often some fresh grapes. These ingredients are mixed together in a creamy dressing made from whipped cream or whipped topping, yogurt, sugar, and a touch of citrus juice or zest.
Growing up in Utah, I’ve had the privilege of being immersed in a culture known for its distinctive “dessert” salads, and that makes me a genuine expert on ambrosia salad. Utahns have a knack for taking sweet creations to the next level, and ambrosia salad is a perfect example.
It’s a dish that shows the creative and food adventures happening right here in my state. So, when I declare that our ambrosia salad is top-notch, you can rest assured it’s not just a statement; it’s a reflection of the delicious traditions I’ve had the opportunity to enjoy and share.
Quick Tip
In Greek mythology, ambrosia was like a special honey-like liquid only for gods, not for people. But Ambrosia Salad, unlike a liquid, is sweet, light, and perfect for us humans to enjoy!
Ingredients In Ambrosia
Salad Ingredients:
- Mini Marshmallows: Add sweetness and a soft texture to the salad.
- Sweetened Shredded Coconut: Provides a tropical flavor and chewy texture.
- Mandarin Oranges, Maraschino Cherries, Grapes, and Pineapple Tidbits: These fruits together provide a mix of juiciness, sweet and tart flavors, vibrant color, and a juicy and fruity element.
Dressing Ingredients:
- Heavy Whipping Cream: Creates a creamy and rich texture.
- Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the dressing.
- Salt: Enhances the overall flavor with a touch of saltiness.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds a hint of vanilla flavor.
- Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice and Lemon Zest: Provide a zesty and tangy kick.
- Honey Vanilla Greek Yogurt: Enhances creaminess and imparts a honey-vanilla flavor.
How To Make Ambrosia Salad
- Combine Ingredients: Mix mini marshmallows, shredded coconut, mandarin oranges, halved maraschino cherries, grapes, and pineapple tidbits in a large bowl.
- Prepare Dressing: In a separate bowl, whip cold heavy whipping cream until thick. Add powdered sugar, a pinch of salt, vanilla extract, lemon juice, lemon zest, and honey vanilla Greek yogurt. Mix well.
- Combine and Coat: Gently fold the dressing into the salad ingredients until everything is evenly coated.
- Chill: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving.
- Serve: Give it a final stir and serve your delicious Ambrosia Salad. Enjoy!
Quick Tip
The mandarin oranges and marshmallows are delicate. When mixing Ambrosia Salad, use a silicone spatula to gently fold the mixture, rather than stir it.
Variations
Ambrosia Salad Variation Ideas
- Whipped Topping: Replace the homemade whipped cream and yogurt with one 8-ounce container of thawed frozen whipped topping.
- Nutty Twist: Enhance with 1/2 to 3/4 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts.
- Rainbow Marshmallows: Swap white miniature marshmallows for rainbow-colored ones.
- Sour Cream Option: Substitute Greek yogurt with an equal amount of sour cream.
- Fresh Fruit Substitution: Use fresh mandarin oranges and pineapple instead of canned during the availability of fresh fruits.
- Fruit Cocktail Addition: If fresh fruits are scarce, add a can of well-drained fruit cocktail to your Ambrosia Salad.
Ambrosia Salad FAQs
In ancient Greek myths, “ambrosia” is the food or drink of the Greek gods, giving longevity or immortality to whoever ate it.
In America, it is a dessert fruit salad that contains canned (or sometimes fresh) fruit and a creamy dressing.
This salad was typically a treat reserved for holidays and other special occasions, earning it’s fancy name “ambrosia” salad.
This salad is a dish often associated with holiday potlucks or get-togethers for many southerners. You can read more about the history of this salad here.
Stored in airtight containers in the fridge, it can last for 3-5 days. Some separation is normal; simply stir it well before enjoying.
The salad stores and lasts better when all the fruit is well-drained before adding it to the salad.
More Dessert Salads
- Snickers Salad with diced snickers bars
- Watergate Salad aka pistachio salad
- Orange Fluff Salad 5-ingredients
- Candy Salad completely customizable
- Creamy Fruit Salad creamy cheesecake dressing
Ambrosia Salad
Equipment
- Large bowl
- Mixer
Ingredients
Salad
- 3 cups mini marshmallows rainbow or white
- 3/4 cup coconut flakes sweetened
- 1 can (15-ounce) mandarin oranges drained
- 1/2 cup maraschino cherries stems removed and halved
- 1 can (4-ounce) pineapple tidbits drained
- 1 cup green seedless grapes or red, halved
Dressing
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup honey vanilla Greek yogurt
Instructions
- Zest the lemon with a zester to get 1/2 teaspoon of zest. Juice it using a citrus juicer to get 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Set aside.
- Place the mini marshmallows, shredded coconut, well-drained mandarin oranges, drained and quartered maraschino cherries, well-drained pineapple tidbits, and halved grapes into a large bowl (see note 1). Gently stir to combine.
- In a large bowl, combine the heavy cream, powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla extract (see note 2). Whip with a mixer until stiff peaks form. Gently fold in the lemon juice and zest until combined. Fold in the yogurt.
- Using a spatula, scoop all of the dressing over the salad ingredients. Gently fold until everything is mixed and ingredients are evenly coated in the dressing.
- Cover and place in the fridge for 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving. Gently stir before serving.
Video
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Chelsea,
Enjoy your recipes.
Loved the fruit salad!
Looking for squash recipes!
Thanks so much Annie! Here are all my squash recipes 🙂 https://www.chelseasmessyapron.com/site-search/?fwp_keywords=squash