Ambrosia Salad

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This Ambrosia Salad is creamy and oh-so-divine! Maraschino cherries, mandarin oranges, and pineapple chunks are combined with a fluffy whipped cream dressing for a fruit salad that doubles as dessert.

Sweet & Creamy Ambrosia Fruit Salad

Before we know it, spring will be sitting at our doorsteps – so we need to get prepared with some celebratory sides! Whipping up a simple fruit salad is a good place to start. Light, creamy, and refreshing, this classic Ambrosia salad recipe is one of my favorite warmer-weather treats. It’s sweet without being too sweet, and goes with pretty much any main dish.

Ambrosia is flexible too! You can put your own spin on it by adding any fruits of your choice. I like to use mandarins, cherries, and pineapples. Colorful mini marshmallows add even more pops of color, much to the delight of my children. They beg me to make this salad all the time.

What is Ambrosia?

Ambrosia salad is a fruit salad that’s tied together with whipped cream dressing and often contains mini marshmallows. Its origins remain unknown to this day, though it’s widely regarded as a Southern classic.

The name ambrosia comes from Greek mythology – it directly translates to “immortality” and was used to refer to the food of the gods. With a name like that, you already know this is going to be one heavenly dish!

Recipe Ingredients

Ancient Greek literature states that only the gods can enjoy ambrosia. But with the simple ingredients below, anyone can devour an ambrosia salad!

• Frozen Whipped Topping: Such as Cool Whip, thawed. For even tastier results, make whipped cream from scratch.
• Sour Cream: Or vanilla-flavored yogurt.
• Shredded Coconut: Sweetened.
• Canned Mandarin Oranges: Don’t forget to drain them.
• Pineapple Tidbits: Drained.
• Maraschino Cherries: Cut in half.
• Mini Marshmallows: I like to use fruit-flavored marshmallows, but regular ones work too.

Do I Have to Use Canned Fruit?

You can totally opt for fresh fruit instead of canned fruit if that’s your preference. Just keep in mind that fresh fruit isn’t quite as sweet, so you may need to add some extra sugar.

How to Make Ambrosia Salad

This salad comes together in 10 minutes or less, making it a lovely last-minute snack or treat. Let’s get started!

• Make Whipped Cream Dressing: Combine the whipped topping and sour cream in a large bowl.
• Add Remaining Ingredients: Add the coconut, oranges, pineapple, cherries and marshmallows, gently folding everything into the whipped cream dressing.
• Chill: Refrigerate the salad for 3-4 hours prior to serving it.

Tips for the Best Marshmallow Fruit Salad

You’re almost ready to throw together the ultimate summer salad! Just look over the tips and tricks below for good measure.

• Fold Gently: I like using a rubber spatula to gently fold my fruits and marshmallows into the whipped cream dressing until everything is just combined. Mixing too hard or too much will deflate the dressing and break up the fruit.
• Don’t Skimp on the Chill Time: While it’s not mandatory, I highly recommend letting your ambrosia salad sit in the fridge for at least 3 hours before you serve it. This firms it up a bit and allows the flavors to come together.
• Make it Your Own: Don’t be afraid to load up this salad with whatever ingredients you’re craving! It tastes amazing with chopped kiwis, banana slices, halved grapes, chopped pecans and more.

What Goes with Ambrosia?

No matter what you choose to serve alongside this fruit salad, your meal will surely be a big hit. At summer barbecues and cookouts, Ambrosia salad is usually served with grilled meats and classic summer sides like cold potato salad or coleslaw.

My kids like to enjoy it with mac and cheese, while I’m more inclined to pair it with a citrusy protein like lemon butter chicken. In terms of dessert pairings, it goes well with these coconut sugar cookies!

How to Store Extras

Store leftover ambrosia salad in an airtight container in the fridge. You shouldn’t leave it out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours. Enjoy your leftovers within 2-3 days, draining out any excess liquids that have been released by the fruits.

Can I Freeze It?

You can – but once it’s frozen, it should not be defrosted. The thawing process will cause the dressing to separate. Instead, it should be scooped and served like ice cream.

To freeze your ambrosia salad, place it in a freezer-safe baking dish and wrap it tightly in two layers of plastic wrap. Enjoy it within a month or two for the best results.

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