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Ambrosia Salad Recipe

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4.2 from 10 reviews

This Ambrosia Salad is a classic, creamy fruit salad perfect for any gathering. Featuring a blend of pineapple chunks, mandarin oranges, fruit cocktail, and maraschino cherries mixed with vanilla yogurt, mini marshmallows, sweetened coconut flakes, and cool whip, it’s a refreshing and sweet dish that’s both easy to make and a crowd-pleaser. Garnished with additional fruit, coconut, and chopped pecans, this salad offers a balanced texture contrast and festive presentation.

Ingredients

Fruit

  • 20 oz. pineapple chunks, drained and patted dry
  • 15 oz. mandarin oranges, drained and patted dry
  • 15 oz. fruit cocktail, drained and patted dry
  • 10 oz. maraschino cherries, drained and patted dry

Salad Base

  • 6 oz. full-fat vanilla yogurt
  • 1 cup mini marshmallows
  • ½ cup sweetened coconut flakes
  • 8 oz. cool whip, thawed

Toppings (Optional)

  • ⅓ cup chopped pecans
  • Reserved mandarin oranges, cherries, coconut flakes for decoration

Instructions

  1. Dry the Fruit: Use paper towels to thoroughly drain and pat dry all canned fruit (pineapple chunks, mandarin oranges, fruit cocktail, and maraschino cherries) to prevent the salad from becoming watery and maintain a creamy texture.
  2. Reserve Garnishes: Set aside a small amount of mandarin oranges, cherries, coconut flakes, and chopped pecans to use later as decorative toppings for the salad.
  3. Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add all the salad ingredients including dried fruit, vanilla yogurt, mini marshmallows, sweetened coconut flakes, and thawed cool whip. Gently fold them together using a silicone spatula, ensuring everything is evenly mixed without mashing the fruit.
  4. Serve or Chill: Transfer the mixture into a serving dish and neatly top with the reserved fruit, coconut flakes, and pecans. You can serve the Ambrosia Salad immediately or cover and refrigerate it until ready to serve to let flavors meld.

Notes

  • Use full-fat vanilla yogurt for the best creamy consistency and flavor balance.
  • Draining the fruit carefully is critical to prevent excess liquid and maintain the desired texture.
  • The pecans add a delightful crunch but are optional based on preference or allergies.
  • For a lighter version, consider using light cool whip and low-fat yogurt, though this will alter richness.
  • This salad is best served chilled and is ideal for potlucks or holiday meals.

Find it online: https://dishcooks.com/ambrosia-salad-recipe/