The Perfect Classic Ambrosia Salad Recipe for Sweet Gatherings

Whipping up a classic ambrosia salad brings pure tropical delight to your dessert table.

Sweet memories of grandma’s kitchen dance through this creamy concoction.

Marshmallows and coconut create a dreamy texture that melts on your tongue.

Pineapple chunks and mandarin oranges add bright, zesty notes to the mix.

Each spoonful carries a nostalgic whisper of summer gatherings and potluck celebrations.

Soft, pillowy marshmallows nestle between fruity jewels, promising a refreshing escape from ordinary desserts.

Let this simple yet magical recipe transport you to a world of sweet, creamy bliss.

Classic Ambrosia Salad That Brings Back Memories

• Crowd-Pleasing Delight: A nostalgic dessert that brings smiles to faces and sparks conversations at family gatherings and potlucks.
• Zero Culinary Skills Required: Perfect for beginners, this no-bake recipe demands minimal cooking expertise and comes together with simple mixing.
• Customizable Comfort: Easily adapt the salad by adding extra fruits, nuts, or switching up ingredients to match personal taste preferences.
• Instant Refreshment Solution: Offers a cool, sweet treat that instantly satisfies cravings and provides a delightful tropical-inspired dessert experience.

Ingredients for Classic Ambrosia Salad

• Pineapple: Sweet tropical fruit that adds juicy texture and tangy flavor to the salad.
• Mandarin Oranges: Soft citrus segments that provide a bright and refreshing element to the dessert.

• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Rich and sweet dairy product that helps bind the salad ingredients together.
• Whipped Topping: Light and fluffy cream alternative that creates a smooth and airy texture.

• Coconut, Marshmallows: Shredded coconut adds tropical crunch while marshmallows contribute a soft, sweet chewiness to the classic ambrosia salad.

How to Make Ambrosia Salad with a Twist

Step 1: Gather Your Tropical Ingredients

Grab a big mixing bowl and collect all your delightful components. You’ll want fresh and creamy ingredients that will make this dessert sing with flavor.

• Crushed pineapple
• Mandarin orange segments
• Sweetened condensed milk
• Whipped cream
• Shredded coconut
• Mini marshmallows

Step 2: Create a Luscious Mixture

Pour all the ingredients into your bowl and gently fold everything together. Use smooth, sweeping motions to ensure each morsel gets beautifully coated with the sweet, creamy goodness.

Mix until all components are evenly distributed and look like a delectable cloud of tropical happiness.

Step 3: Let the Magic Happen

Cover your bowl with plastic wrap and slide it into the refrigerator.

Allow the salad to chill and let the flavors mingle and dance together. This resting period will transform your mixture from simple ingredients into a heavenly dessert.

Step 4: Serve and Delight

When you’re ready to enjoy, pull out your ambrosia and scoop into pretty serving dishes. Garnish with extra coconut or a sprinkle of marshmallows if you want to make it extra special.

This dessert is perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or just because you deserve a sweet treat.

Tips to Perfect Ambrosia Salad Every Time

• Drain canned fruits thoroughly to avoid excess liquid making the salad watery.
• Toast coconut flakes lightly before adding for a richer, nuttier taste.
• Swap regular marshmallows with vegan or gluten-free alternatives for restricted diets.
• Add marshmallows just before serving to maintain their fluffy texture and prevent them from becoming too soft.
• Garnish with fresh mint leaves or additional toasted coconut for a beautiful, appetizing look.

Variations to Try on Ambrosia Salad

• Tropical Berry Blast: Replace mandarin oranges with fresh strawberries and blueberries for a vibrant color and tangy flavor profile.
• Nutty Crunch Delight: Add chopped almonds and pecans to introduce a rich, crunchy texture and enhance the salad's nutritional value.
• Chocolate Lovers' Version: Mix in mini chocolate chips and drizzle dark chocolate sauce for a decadent dessert-like experience.
• Greek Yogurt Refresh: Swap whipped topping with Greek yogurt to create a lighter, protein-packed version of the classic recipe.

Pairings That Go Well with Ambrosia Salad

• Pair Tropical Fruit Punch: Complement the sweet, creamy ambrosia with a chilled tropical fruit punch that echoes the salad's fruity notes and provides a refreshing contrast.
• Recommend Coconut Rum Cocktail: Mix a light coconut rum cocktail to enhance the coconut flavors in the salad, creating a harmonious tropical drinking experience.
• Suggest Vanilla Chai Tea: Brew a smooth vanilla chai tea that matches the dessert's creamy texture and adds warm, comforting spice undertones to balance the sweet salad.
• Select Almond Sparkling Wine: Choose a light, slightly sweet almond-flavored sparkling wine that cuts through the richness and highlights the salad's delicate fruit flavors.

How to Keep Ambrosia Salad Fresh

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the salad cold to maintain its creamy texture and prevent spoilage.

Do not freeze ambrosia salad, as the whipped topping and fruits will separate and lose their original texture when thawed.

Enjoy the salad within 2 days for optimal taste and consistency. The marshmallows may become slightly soggy over time.

Gently mix the salad before serving chilled to redistribute ingredients and restore its original creamy appearance.

FAQs

• Is ambrosia salad healthy?

While delicious, it’s a sweet dessert high in sugar and calories. It contains fruit but also processed ingredients like marshmallows and whipped topping, making it more of an occasional treat.

• What does ambrosia salad taste like?

It has a creamy, sweet flavor with tropical fruit notes. The combination of pineapple, mandarin oranges, coconut, and marshmallows creates a light, refreshing dessert with multiple textures.

• Where did ambrosia salad originate?

The recipe first appeared in the southern United States in the late 1800s. It was considered a luxury dessert due to ingredients like fresh pineapple and coconut, which were expensive and rare at the time.

Classic Ambrosia Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy classic ambrosia salad beckons with nostalgic Southern charm, blending marshmallows, coconut, and sweet fruits into a delightful dessert. Elegant yet simple, this timeless treat provides a perfect finish for summer gatherings and family celebrations.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fruits:

• 1 (20 ounces / 567 grams) can pineapple tidbits, drained
• 1 (11 ounces / 312 grams) can mandarin oranges, drained
• 1 cup shredded coconut

Dairy and Sweet Ingredients:

• 1 (14 ounces / 397 grams) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 (8 ounces / 227 grams) container whipped topping, thawed

Binding Ingredients:

• 1 cup mini marshmallows

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Instructions

1. Prepare a spacious mixing vessel and gently fold the tropical fruit chunks, delicate citrus segments, and pillowy marshmallows together with creamy whipped topping.
2. Drizzle the luscious sweetened condensed milk across the mixture, ensuring an even coating that will bind all components harmoniously.
3. Sprinkle freshly shredded coconut throughout, creating delightful textural contrast and enhancing the salad’s tropical essence.
4. Thoroughly incorporate all ingredients, using gentle folding motions to maintain the light, airy texture of the whipped elements.
5. Transfer the ambrosia mixture into a sealed container, smoothing the top with a spatula to create an even surface.
6. Refrigerate for a minimum of 120 minutes, or ideally overnight, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify.
7. Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir to redistribute the ingredients and restore its fluffy consistency.
8. Garnish with additional coconut flakes or a sprinkle of marshmallows for visual appeal and extra crunch.
9. Present chilled, offering a refreshing and indulgent dessert experience that captures the essence of tropical sweetness.

Notes

• Customize your salad by adding chopped pecans or walnuts for extra crunch and nutty flavor.
• Swap regular marshmallows with mini marshmallows for a more uniform texture and easier mixing.
• Use fresh whipped cream instead of whipped topping for a richer, more homemade taste if you prefer.
• For a lighter version, substitute low-fat whipped topping and sweetened condensed milk to reduce calories.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 305
• Sugar: 38 g
• Sodium: 60 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg