This classic ambrosia salad is made with Cool Whip, fruit, and marshmallows for a tasty dessert, perfect for a party! Enjoy this deliciously creamy fruit salad for a simple sweet treat!
Ambrosia salad is a classic American dessert that has been around for decades. This sweet and creamy dish is typically made with fruit, whipped cream, marshmallows and coconut. It’s a refreshing, light dessert perfect for a hot summer day or a festive holiday gathering. I’m unsure where Ambrosia salad started, but I think it might be a southern food. However, I was born and raised in Ohio, and I can tell you that this salad is a favorite in the Midwest!
To make Ambrosia salad, the canned fruit is drained and then mixed in a large bowl. The whipped topping is folded in, along with the marshmallows or coconut. The salad is then chilled in the refrigerator for at least an hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
One of the reasons Ambrosia salad is so popular is its versatility. It can be made with a wide variety of fruits, so it’s easy to customize to your preferences or to what’s in season. Adding marshmallows and coconut gives it a fun and playful texture, while the whipped cream adds a touch of sweetness and creaminess.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Whipped topping- I used Cool Whip but you could substitute with TruWhip, which is made from coconut milk, for a dairy free option.
- Sour cream- You could substitute with an equal amount of Greek yogurt or dairy free sour cream.
- Pineapple- I used canned pineapple but fresh is great, too! Or you can use an equal amount of diced fresh or canned mango.
- Mandarin oranges- I used canned mandarin oranges but you could substitute with fresh segmented tangerines if desired.
- Shredded coconut- You can use unsweetened or sweetened coconut flakes.
- Maraschino cherries- Substitute with fresh cherries or add 1 tablespoon of raspberry jam to the whipped topping for a different fruity twist.
Whipped Topping vs. Whipped Cream
For this recipe, I used Cool Whip, which is a whipped topping, not whipped cream. It’s found in the freezer section at the grocery store and you’ll want to let it thaw at room temperature for a few hours before using it in this recipe.
In a large mixing bowl, combine together the sour cream and whipped cream until well mixed.
Add the pineapple chunks, mandarin oranges, mini marshmallows, shredded coconut, and Maraschino cherries.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
When ready to serve, garnish with additional maraschino cherries if desired.
How to Store Ambrosia Salad
First, transfer any leftover Ambrosia salad into an airtight container with a lid. Make sure to remove any leftover serving utensils and cover the container tightly.
Then, place the container in the refrigerator and store it for up to 3-4 days. It’s important to note that Ambrosia salad contains dairy products like whipped cream, so it should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours.
Ambrosia Salad Variations
If you want to switch up this classic salad, here are a few fun variations to try:
- Tropical Ambrosia Salad: Use fresh pineapple, mango, and papaya instead of canned fruit. Add sliced banana and kiwi for an extra tropical flavor.
- Berry Ambrosia Salad: Use a mixture of fresh berries such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. Add sliced bananas, mini marshmallows, and shredded coconut.
- Chocolate Ambrosia Salad: Mix in a packet of chocolate pudding mix to the whipped topping and add canned fruit cocktail and mini marshmallows. Sprinkle with chocolate shavings and chopped nuts for texture.
Ambrosia Salad with Cool Whip
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 8 cups 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This classic ambrosia salad is made with Cool Whip, fruit, and marshmallows for a tasty dessert, perfect for a party! Enjoy this deliciously creamy fruit salad for a simple sweet treat!
Ingredients
- 8oz whipped topping, thawed (I used Cool Whip brand)
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks, drained
- 1 can (11 oz) mandarin oranges, drained
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 1/4 cup Maraschino cherries, halved (plus more for garnish, if desired)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine together the sour cream and whipped cream until well mixed.
- Add the pineapple chunks, mandarin oranges, mini marshmallows, shredded coconut, and Maraschino cherries.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- When ready to serve, garnish with additional maraschino cherries if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Chill Time: 1-2 hours
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
Instructions:
I have enjoyed Ambrosia fruit salad at many gatherings over the years. I never knew how to make it. Thank you for the recipe. I look forward to making it!
We made this when I was a child- but slightly different. We called it 5 cup salad. 1 cup each of drained crushed pineapple, sour cream, mini marshmallows, mandarin oranges, and shredded coconut. I still make it!
I love the name!
Wow! Dessert looks so yummy and very enticing! I love the addition of marshmallows in this recipe as I’m a fan of it! I love the creamy texture, it is just so perfect! A treat to rule them all!
This salad was so yummy! I made this for a work food day, and everyone loved it!
This recipe brings back delicious childhood memories for me. I’ll be making it for sure!
My favorite fruit salad recipe. It is so easy, and it is definitely delicious!
Delicious! I’ve been looking for this recipe. My husband loves this salad. Can’t wait to make it for him.
This ambrosia salad was perfect for my cousins when they came to visit. They loved it!
Easy peasy and delicious! My kiddos licked their plates, if this tells you something ;P
Reminded me of my grandma’s recipe!
This was way better than the ambrosia salad I remember from my childhood. SO refreshing and perfectly sweet. 🙂
This is so similar to a family dish my Grandma made but I never knew what it was called. I have many memories of it from my childhood but was never able to get the recipe from her. Now, I am excited to make it myself!
it makes a wonderful snack for kids. I prepared it in advance and kept it in the fridge and when I returned back home all the bowls were empty.
Made this for a potluck and it was such a hit! The shredded coconut was a great addition.