Ambrosia Salad is a sweet and creamy fruit salad loaded with pineapple, cherries, mandarin oranges, marshmallows, and shredded coconut.
Ingredients
1CupFrozen Whipped ToppingThawed (Cool Whip)
1CupSour Cream
2CupsMandarin OrangesDrained
2CupsPineapple TidbitsDrained
2CupsPastel Mini Marshmallows
1CupMaraschino CherriesDrained
1CupSweetened Shredded Coconut
Instructions
In a large bowl mix together the whipped topping and the sour cream.
1 Cup Frozen Whipped Topping, 1 Cup Sour Cream
Add the mandarin oranges, pineapple tidbits, pastel mini marshmallows, maraschino cherries, shredded coconut and gently fold to combine.
2 Cups Mandarin Oranges, 2 Cups Pineapple Tidbits, 2 Cups Pastel Mini Marshmallows, 1 Cup Maraschino Cherries, 1 Cup Sweetened Shredded Coconut
Refrigerate in a covered container for 4 hours and up to overnight to allow the flavors to meld and marry. If desired garnish the ambrosia salad with more maraschino cherries and shredded coconut.
Notes
My Top Tips♡ Drain all of the fruit well before adding it to the whipped topping and sour cream. I actually like to drain the fruit and then spread it onto paper towels to remove excess liquid. This keeps the salad from becoming soggy.♡ If you are slightly short of any one of the fruit ingredients, you can make up the difference with any one of the other ingredients except the whipped topping and sour cream. The goal is to have a combined 8 cups of fruit, marshmallow, and coconut to 2 cups of dressing.Substitutions & VariationsSubstitute vanilla yogurt, Miracle Whip Salad Dressing, or cottage cheese for the sour cream.Substitute small or halved seedless grapes for the mini marshmallows.Substitute canned fruit cocktail plus any fruit you have on hand like a chopped apple and a sliced banana for the pineapple, cherries, and mandarin oranges.Substitute seasonal fresh fruit for the mandarin oranges. Strawberries and bananas are a great combination. Just toss the fresh fruit with the juice from the canned pineapple to keep it from browning (drain well before adding to the whipped topping and sour cream).Make-Ahead and StorageAmbrosia salad is always best if made ahead. Make it in the morning to serve in the afternoon or make it the day before serving.Store any leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator. This Ambrosia Salad will keep for 3 to 4 days.