Description
Creamy Ambrosia Salad whisks tropical paradise onto your plate with marshmallows, coconut, and sweet fruits blending in heavenly harmony. Delightful dessert promises pure comfort and nostalgic Southern charm with each delectable spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits:
- 1 can (20 ounces / 567 grams) pineapple chunks (drained)
- 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) mandarin oranges (drained)
- 1 cup maraschino cherries (drained and halved)
- 1 cup seedless grapes (halved, optional)
Dairy and Sweet Components:
- 1 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt for a lighter option)
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
Nuts (Optional):
- ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Meticulously strain tropical and sweet components like pineapple chunks, mandarin oranges, and maraschino cherries, ensuring minimal liquid residue for optimal salad consistency.
- Create a creamy foundation by whisking sour cream and shredded coconut in a spacious mixing vessel until thoroughly integrated.
- Gently introduce fruit medley – including pineapple, mandarin oranges, cherries, mini marshmallows, and optional grapes – into the coconut-sour cream mixture, carefully folding ingredients to preserve delicate fruit textures.
- Seal the mixed salad with plastic wrap, then refrigerate for a minimum of two hours, allowing flavors to harmonize and develop a refreshing, cohesive profile.
- Prior to presenting, enhance the dish with a sprinkle of chopped pecans or walnuts for a satisfying textural contrast.
- Serve chilled, presenting a vibrant, creamy dessert salad that balances sweet, tangy, and nutty flavor dimensions.
Notes
- Master draining techniques by using a fine-mesh strainer or paper towels to remove excess liquid from canned fruits, ensuring a creamy and non-soggy salad texture.
- Substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt for a lighter, protein-rich version that maintains the tangy flavor profile while reducing overall calorie content.
- Customize the salad by adding fresh seasonal fruits like strawberries or blueberries for extra color, nutrition, and a burst of natural sweetness.
- Create a gluten-free and allergy-friendly variation by using vegan marshmallows and omitting nuts, making the dish accessible to more dietary preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg