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Ambrosia salad is a sweet and creamy mix of fruit, mini marshmallows, and shredded coconut—a colorful, easy dessert salad that’s always a hit!
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Ambrosia salad is a classic for a reason! This sweet, creamy dessert is always a favorite at parties, family gatherings, and holiday celebrations.
With a mix of tropical fruits, marshmallows, and shredded coconut, it’s as colorful as it is delicious. The best part is it’s incredibly simple to make and comes together in just minutes!
Ingredient Notes
Here are the simple ingredients you’ll need. Read on for a few notes.
- Whipped topping – We like to use Cool Whip. Alternatively, you can use homemade whipped cream.
- Yogurt – Vanilla yogurt works great and complements the Cool Whip. Plain yogurt can work but won’t be as sweet.
- Pineapple – Canned is easiest, but fresh pineapple is great too if you have it on hand.
- Mandarin oranges – We use canned for convenience, but fresh works, too.
- Maraschino cherries – Use jarred maraschino cherries, drained well and stems removed.
- Shredded coconut – Sweetened shredded coconut. (If you don’t like coconut, you can leave this out and the salad will still be delicious.)
- Mini marshmallows – We use fruit-flavored mini marshmallows. Plain mini marshmallows work too, it just won’t be as colorful.
See the recipe card for full list with amounts
Supplies
Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe:
- Large mixing bowl and spoon
- Can opener
- Fine-mesh strainer
- Serving bowl and spoon
Let’s Make Ambrosia Fruit Salad
Follow the simple steps below to make this delicious dessert salad.
1
Mix whipped topping and yogurt.
In a large bowl, blend the Cool Whip and vanilla yogurt.
2
Drain Fruit.
Using a fine-mesh strainer, drain the pineapple, mandarin oranges, and maraschino cherries well. Too much liquid can make the salad runny. Remove stems from cherries, if needed. (Reserve a few with stems for garnish if you’d like.)
3
Mix in fruit, coconut, and marshmallows.
Add the fruit, sweetened shredded coconut, and mini marshmallows to the Cool Whip mixture. Fold in gently. (Save a few stemmed cherries and marshmallows for garnish, optional.)
4
Chill.
Chill until ready to serve.
5
Garnish, serve, and enjoy!
Garnish with mini marshmallows and stemmed maraschino cherries. This is optional, but we love the way it looks.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy: This ambrosia salad comes together in just 15 minutes with minimal effort (no chopping), making it perfect for last-minute gatherings.
- Perfect for any occasion: Whether it’s a holiday dinner or a casual family get-together, this colorful, creamy salad is always a crowd-pleaser.
- Customizable: Feel free to adjust the fruits and toppings based on your preferences, from adding nuts to leaving out the shredded coconut.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to commonly asked questions about making ambrosia fruit salad.
Can I leave out the coconut?
Absolutely! If you don’t like coconut, just leave it out and the salad will still taste great.
What fruits can I use in ambrosia salad?
You can use a variety of fruits like pineapple, mandarin oranges, and maraschino cherries. Feel free to mix in your favorites!
Can I use fresh fruit instead of canned?
Yes, you can use fresh pineapple and mandarins if you prefer. Cut the pineapple into bite-sized pieces and make sure to peel and remove the pith from the mandarin oranges.
Ambrosia Salad
A sweet and creamy mix of fruit, mini marshmallows, and shredded coconut—a colorful, easy dessert salad that’s always a hit!
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 3 cups whipped topping – Cool Whip (8 oz)
- 1 cup vanilla yogurt
- 2 cups pineapple chunks (21 oz can*)
- 2 cups mandarin oranges (20 oz can*)
- 1 cup maraschino cherries (10 oz jar*)
- 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 2 cups mini fruit marshmallows
*Approximate size–slightly more or less is fine.
Instructions
- Mix creamy base: Mix the Cool Whip and vanilla yogurt in a large bowl.
- Drain fruit: Using a fine-mesh strainer, drain the pineapple, mandarin oranges, and maraschino cherries well. Too much liquid can make the salad runny. Remove stems from cherries, if needed. (Reserve a few with stems for garnish if you’d like.)
- Fold in fruit: Add the fruit, sweetened shredded coconut, and mini marshmallows to the Cool Whip mixture. Fold in gently. (Save a few stemmed cherries and marshmallows for garnish, optional.)
- Chill: Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Garnish and serve: Top with mini marshmallows and stemmed maraschino cherries, optional but looks nice. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Coconut: Don’t like shredded coconut? Leave it out—it’ll still be delicious.
- Variations: Vary this recipe by adding chopped pecans or walnuts, plain mini marshmallows instead of fruit marshmallows, or mix in your favorite fruits.
- Make-ahead tip: You can make this salad a few hours ahead and chill. For longer, drain the fruit and chill separately. Mix Cool Whip and yogurt and chill. Then combine everything with coconut and marshmallows just before serving to keep it fresh.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mix
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 164
- Sugar: 26.1 g
- Sodium: 41.6 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Protein: 1.9 g
- Cholesterol: 1 mg
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