Ambrosia Salad – Ambrosia Salad is more, than a dish; it’s like a taste of paradise blending creamy and fruity flavors in the most delightful way. This recipe brings together ingredients like whipped topping, vanilla yogurt, and a variety of fruits making it the ultimate sweet and refreshing treat. Whether you’re planning a family gathering or a cozy weekend brunch Ambrosia Salad is guaranteed to please everyone.
I still remember the first time I made this Ambrosia Salad for a small family get-together. The looks of surprise and the smiles on my husband’s and child’s faces, as they took their bite, are forever etched in my memory. The perfect combination of creamy goodness with bursts of fruity sweetness instantly won over their hearts turning this salad into a must-have for all our family celebrations.
What makes this Ambrosia Salad truly special?
What makes this Ambrosia Salad truly special? Well, let’s start with its simplicity. With 10 minutes of prep time, it has quickly become my go-to choice when I need something quick yet impressive. The tangy mandarin oranges, sweet pineapple chunks, cherries, and fluffy marshmallows come together to create a symphony of flavors that transcends beyond being another salad – it’s more, like a dessert that brings pure joy and nostalgia.
What You Need To Make This Ambrosia Salad Recipe?
Thawed Frozen Whipped Topping: Consider this as the foundation of our ambrosia, light and airy. It’s, like an embrace that wraps around all the ingredients creating a creamy harmony.
Vanilla Yogurt: This is where we introduce a sweetness and smooth texture. It’s like the melody in a symphony not overpowering but crucial for achieving harmony.
Sweetened Shredded Coconut: Imagine standing beneath a palm tree and feeling the breeze. That’s what coconut brings to the table. It adds a touch of beaches and sunny days to the blend.
Mandarin Oranges: These little treasures are bursts of sunshine in our salad. Their tangy sweetness is like a surprise, of childhood afternoons spent under the sun.
Pineapple (Tidbits or Crushed): Pineapple brings its personality to the gathering. It’s akin to that friend who’s always cheerful and radiant uplifting everyone’s spirits.
Maraschino Cherries: These cherries serve as gems, in our Ambrosia Salad. Each one represents a promise of joy adding pops of color and nostalgic hints.
Chopped Pecans (Optional): If you decide to include them pecans offer an earthy contrast. They play a role, in our symphony providing stability and harmony to counterbalance the sweetness.
Mini Fruit-Flavored Marshmallows: These delightful treats bring a whimsical touch to the dish. Each marshmallow resembles a cloud gracefully floating in the creamy heaven of our Ambrosia Salad.
Steps To Make Ambrosia Salad:
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Step 1: To begin locate a welcoming bowl. This will be the gathering place, for all our ingredients like old friends reuniting. Spoon in the thawed whipped topping its fluffy texture of a summer cloud. Next, pour in the vanilla yogurt envisioning it as a melody that adds the amount of sweetness and smoothness to a quiet room. Gently combine these two components together observing how they blend harmoniously like the hues of a morning sky.
Step 2: Now it’s time to introduce everyone to this gathering. Sprinkle in the coconut allowing it to fall gracefully like snowflakes from above. Open up cans of mandarin oranges and pineapple draining them as if unlocking a treasure chest filled with jewels. Each addition contributes its story as it joins the bowls ensemble. If you’re including pecans scatter them in like friends who always bring fascinating tales to share. Let’s not forget about the cherries! Each one is a burst of joy, amidst our landscape.
Step 3: Lastly, we come to the marshmallows. Imagine them as moments of pure delight sprinkled throughout your salad creation. These tiny clouds of sweetness will surely add a touch of dreaminess to our ambrosia masterpiece.
Step 4: Now that everyone is, in the bowl carefully combine them together. It’s, like bringing all your loved ones for an embrace. Once everything is mixed cover the bowl. Allow it to chill. This waiting period is important because it allows all the flavors to mingle and bond like friends catching up after a time apart. When it’s finally time to serve you’re not just dishing out a salad. You’re presenting a bowl filled with stories, laughter and love.
Tip:
While it may be tempting to serve your Ambrosia Salad after preparing I would suggest giving it some time to rest in the refrigerator. If possible it is best to prepare the salad the night before you plan to serve it. Allowing it to chill overnight works wonders as it allows all the flavors to come together beautifully. During this time the fruits release their juices, which then blend with the base resulting in a more harmonious combination of flavors. Additionally, the marshmallows absorb some of the moisture. Become pleasantly soft while infusing a fruity essence into the salad. This extra time truly transforms your Ambrosia Salad from a dessert into a flavorful experience that is definitely worth waiting for.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use fresh fruits instead of canned?
Of course! You can definitely opt for fresh fruits instead of canned ones. Just make sure to drain them to keep the salad texture consistent.
How long can I store Ambrosia Salad?
For freshness, it’s best to consume Ambrosia Salad within 48 hours when stored in the refrigerator.
Can I make it healthier?
Absolutely! If you’re looking to make it a bit healthier you can replace the whipped topping, with Greek yogurt. Use coconut and fewer marshmallows to reduce the overall sweetness.
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Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Ambrosia Salad
Ingredients
- 8 oz frozen whipped topping thawed
- 1/2 c vanilla yogurt
- 1 c shredded sweetened coconut
- 1 11- oz can mandarin oranges drained
- 1 8- oz can pineapple tidbits or crushed pineapple drained
- 1 c maraschino cherries drained
- 1/2 c chopped pecans optional
- 1 1/2 c mini fruit-flavored marshmallows
Instructions
- In a bowl combine the defrosted whipped topping and vanilla yogurt until they are thoroughly mixed together.
- Next gently add the coconut, mandarin oranges (after draining them), pineapple, cherries and if desired chopped pecans.
- Then carefully fold in the fruit-flavored marshmallows.
- Finally refrigerate the salad for some time before serving to let all the flavors blend together nicely.
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
