Classic Ambrosia Salad
Light fluffy, fruity and creamy with a little crunch this mixture of fruit, coconut, mini marshmallows, and pecans makes a classic old fashioned Ambrosia salad.
If you have a Midwestern grandma, you have probably had this sweet fluff salad recipe before at a church carry in or family reunion.
A Popular Fluff Salad Recipe
More complex than our Old Fashioned Pineapple Fluff and featuring a wider variety of textures than our Cherry Salad, this recipe for Ambrosia easily rivals our Easy Grape Salad in popularity.
Cool Whip is the ingredient that ties together the maraschino cherries, crushed pineapple, mandarin oranges, pecans, coconut flakes, miniature marshmallows and sour cream.
When you’ve got a fluff salad that can be mixed up in ten minutes or less it becomes a go to dessert salad for a last minute party or meal. My mom and grandma made this Marshmallow Fruit Salad regularly to share with hired help on the farm. This is a similar old fashioned salad that brings back memories with every bite.
Ingredients Needed
- Cool Whip – defrost at least 4 hours ahead of time in the refrigerator, a store brand works as well as name brand.
- Sour Cream – adds a little richness and tang for balance to the sweet ingredients.
- Crushed Pineapple – a staple in any old fashioned fluff.
- Mandarin Oranges – we prefer a can with natural juices over heavy syrup.
- Maraschino Cherries – drain well or the juice will turn the salad pink.
- Pecans – chopped or pieces are more budget friendly and blend better, but whole are fine if you really love a nutty flavor.
- Coconut – sweetened is most commonly used.
- Miniature Marshmallows
How To Make Old Fashioned Ambrosia Salad
Add Cool Whip to a medium sized mixing bowl. Stir in sour cream.
Pour drained fruit into the mixing bowl.
Add pecans, coconut and mini marshmallows and stir well.
Refrigerate for at least an hour up to over night to chill through. This also allows the flavors time to blend together.
We like to make this dessert salad a day ahead of serving so the dishes can be cleaned up and put away before the party starts!
More Easy Old Fashioned Dessert Recipes
- Frozen Fruit Salad with Cream Cheese
- Chocolate Earthquake Cake
- Grandma’s Fudge Recipe
- Blonde Texas Sheet Cake
Ambrosia Salad
Ingredients
- 8 ounces whipped topping defrosted
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 3/4 cup pecans chopped or whole
- 11 ounces mandarin oranges drained
- 20 ounces crushed pineapple drained
- 10 ounces maraschino cherries drained
- 1 cup sweetened coconut flakes
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Stir sour cream into defrosted Cool Whip.8 ounces whipped topping, 1/2 cup sour cream
- Add remaining ingredients. Stir well.3/4 cup pecans, 11 ounces mandarin oranges, 20 ounces crushed pineapple, 10 ounces maraschino cherries, 1 cup sweetened coconut flakes, 2 cups mini marshmallows
- Cover tightly and refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.
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