This delicious Ambrosia Salad is so easy to make and always a big hit with kids and adults alike! Made in just one bowl, this classic dessert salad is the perfection addition to your next gathering! Love easy dessert salads? Make sure to try this Cherry Fluff, Reese’s Peanut Butter Fluff, or Pina Colada Fluff the next time you’re planning a party.
Ambrosia Salad
Today I’m sharing an oldie but goodie with y’all – Ambrosia Salad! This easy dessert salad is always a hit and is a favorite of many in my family, especially my Aunt Judie. There is absolutely no reason to pick this up at the deli when making it at home is SO easy. I love this classic salad and I know you will too!
I seriously don’t think salads like this can ever go out of style…wanna know why? Because they taste AMAZING! They’re easy, fun and accessible. Kids like them. Adults like them. They’re great for parties, potlucks, barbecues. Have I convinced you yet?
I’ve been a long-time fan of Ambrosia. My Aunt Judie introduced it to me many, many moons ago. It’s her favorite. This is the thing though, if you want to buy it at the grocery store, it’s kinda ridiculously priced. Like a little tiny container is $5. I can make this whole salad for $5. So there. (And now so can you!)
What Is In Ambrosia Salad?
So what’s in this classic Ambrosia recipe anyways? A whole bunch of yummy stuff – that’s what!
- mandarin oranges
- crushed pineapple
- coconut
- maraschino cherries
- marshmallows
- Cool Whip
I have always used Cool Whip and sour cream in my Ambrosia recipe but many readers swap out the cool whip and make their ambrosia salad with just the sour cream. The salad will definitely not be as sweet this way or as creamy.
Nuts or No Nuts In Ambrosia?
Some people like theirs with nuts. Some don’t. I don’t judge either way. Sometimes, if I have the time, I’ll even toast the nuts which adds even more amazing flavor to this easy ambrosia salad. I used white miniature marshmallows in this salad but I’m also a big fan of using the multi-colored fruit flavored marshmallows. Those are always lots of fun and I love the color they add. Totally up to you!
There’s a lot going on in this salad and while I don’t technically addy any sugar, all the fruit has a lot of sweetness to it. I have a little secret ingredient for my recipe – sour cream! With all that sweetness going on, the sour cream adds a little creamy tang that helps to offset it. Greek yogurt would also work beautifully. It really helps to keep this ambrosia salad from being overly sweet.
Every little bite is pure bliss. Magic I tell you!
So if you want to really “wow” your guests, or your family on a Tuesday night (cause it’s just that easy…), give this Ambrosia Salad a try – I think you’ll agree that it really is the BEST.
Other Dessert Salads to Try
- Tropical Orange Jello Salad
- Watergate Salad or Pistachio Fluff
- Cherry Fluff
- The BEST Fluff Recipes for Holidays, Parties and more!
- Pina Colada Fluff
How To Make Ambrosia Salad
Ambrosia Salad
Ingredients
- 8 oz Cool Whip , lite is fine
- 1/2 cup sour cream , light is fine
- 11 oz mandarin oranges drained
- 20 oz crushed pineapple drained
- 10 oz maraschino cherries drained, halved, and patted dry
- 1 cup sweetened coconut flakes
- 2 cups miniature marshmallows
- 3/4 cup chopped nuts pecans, walnuts, cashews optional
Instructions
- Fold sour cream into Cool Whip in a large serving bowl.
- Fold in remaining ingredients making sure the pineapple, oranges, and cherries have been properly drained.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate until serving.
Video
Nutrition
Originally published August 4, 2015.
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Barbara Schieving says
You can’t go wrong with this classic salad.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
You really can’t! Thanks Barbara!
Carrie says
Such a great holiday recipe
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
It’s perfect for all occasions for sure!
Aysegul Sanford says
Such a fun recipe. Perfect for the holidays. Thanks for sharing.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
So glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Bonnie Blackwell says
My grandma makes something similar to this. Except she uses fruit cocktail and mandarin oranges; no coconut and she mashes cream cheese by hand (you get all these wonderful little bursty bites of cream cheese in the mix this way). My siblings and I ALWAYS request it at the holidays.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Wow! That sounds SO good!
Jessica says
SO GOOD!!! Just made it exactly as the recipe states and I can’t put my spoon down! The kids love it and I’m sure hubby will, too, as soon as he gets home:)
Thank you – pure deliciousness:)
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
So glad you enjoyed the recipe!
R says
I just made this. It’s amazing!
Betty awwad says
Do you have to use sour cream? Thank you so much for this blog,a lot of great stuff.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
You could use Greek yogurt instead. Thank you!
Mary lou Thibodeau says
Can this be made the night before ?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Yes! It absolutely can!
Ghaziabad says
This looks amazing and so festive, I can’t wait to try it!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thank you so much! It’s super easy and so delicious 🙂
Amanda says
My mom makes this at Thanksgiving and Christmas but she doesn’t use Cool Whip, just sour cream. So easy and yummmy.
Veronica says
I also use sour cream. No marshmallows , instead I add pecans, pineapple titbits or chunks, fruit cocktail, coconut, mandarines,
And some cherries. Drain canned fruit very well. Always a hit! Enjoy!!
Tammy says
That’s how my mom used to make it too, the sour cream breaks the marshmallows down just enough to make it fluffy.
Wanda sayles says
I’m still waiting to read how many people can yiou serve with your recipe
Allison Sell says
I made this but used two cans of mixed fruit. Everything else the same. It was for a party of 20 people. Had non left after all 20 had some.
Jackie says
It says 10 servings!
Sharon says
The receipe says it contains 10 servings.
Sehat wasir says
I personally think that the information that you are sharing with us is pretty amazing and I just want to thanx for it a lot. Your blog is amazing.
Tori says
Can this be frozen for a few days?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Hmmm, I really don’t know Tori. It’s not something I’ve tried before. Please let me know if you do and how it turns out though!
Nicole Yvonne Ortega says
Ive been cooking Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners not to mention most other holidays for our entire family for the past 22+ years & this year I am incorporating my version of your ambrosia salad to our meal for a change from pies and cakes. I will use all organic and greek yogurt with some fresh whipped also as many colors in fruit as possible. I’ll let you know how it goes. Yours looks beautiful. Thanks for the healthier idea. You are great!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Wonderful! Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving!
Debra says
what makes it “pink”?
Nicole Yvonne Ortega says
The cherries.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
The maraschino cherries! When you stir them in they make the whole salad pink 🙂
Christina says
We added a cherry jello packet to this and it was amazing!!!!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
How yummy!