Ambrosia Salad

5 from 2 votes

This Ambrosia Salad is a holiday favorite, blending pineapple, oranges, grapes, maraschino cherries, mini marshmallows, and shredded coconut in a creamy, tangy dressing.

Prep Time30

Chilling Time1

Total Time1 30

Course: Dessert, Salad

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Ambrosia Salad

Servings: servings

Author: Chelsea Lords

Cost: $6.90

Equipment

Large bowl
Mixer for making whipped cream

Ingredients

Salad

2 cups mini marshmallows rainbow or white
3/4 cup coconut flakes sweetened
1 (15-ounce) can mandarin oranges drained
1/2 cup maraschino cherries stems removed and halved
1 (4-ounce) can pineapple tidbits drained
1 cup seedless green 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

US - Metric

Instructions

Zest the lemon with a zester to get 1/2 teaspoon 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 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

Notes

Note 1: I recommend using fruit that is canned in juice or water, not sugary syrup. Be sure to drain the fruit well. I like to put all the canned fruit in a colander and let it sit to drain and dry for about an hour. This will keep the salad from getting watery as it sits.

Note 2: An 8-ounce thawed tub of frozen whipped topping can be substituted for the homemade whipped cream. Still get the lemon and Greek yogurt and fold them into the thawed whipped topping.

Storage: It’s best enjoyed the same day but can stay fresh for up to 3 days in an airtight container in the fridge. If it separates, give it a quick stir. Draining the fruit well helps it last longer.

Nutrition