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The BEST Ambrosia Salad

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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

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!

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.

ambrosia-recipe

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!

easy-ambrosia-salad

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

  1. Tropical Orange Jello Salad
  2. Watergate Salad or Pistachio Fluff
  3. Cherry Fluff
  4. The BEST Fluff Recipes for Holidays, Parties and more!
  5. Pina Colada Fluff

How To Make Ambrosia Salad

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4.90 from 75 votes

Ambrosia Salad

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!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword ambrosia, ambrosia salad, dessert
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 12 servings
Calories 234kcal
Author Trish - Mom On Timeout

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

Calories: 234kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 50mg | Potassium: 198mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 305IU | Vitamin C: 11.6mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 0.6mg

Originally published August 4, 2015.

ambrosia-salad-recipe-cool-whip-sour-cream

 

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Comments

  4. 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.

    Reply

  5. 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:)

    Reply

  10. Amanda says

    My mom makes this at Thanksgiving and Christmas but she doesn’t use Cool Whip, just sour cream. So easy and yummmy.

    Reply

    • 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!!

      Reply

  14. 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!

    Reply
4.90 from 75 votes (52 ratings without comment)

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