The Ultimate Ambrosia Salad (Classic & Fluffy Recipe!)
Imagine a dessert salad that tastes like a sweet, nostalgic dream, a fluffy, cloud-like concoction of tropical fruits, jewel-toned cherries, and pillowy marshmallows, all folded into a light and creamy homemade whipped cream dressing. That, my friends, is the wonderful, retro magic of a classic Ambrosia Salad. This isn’t just a side dish; it’s a…
Imagine a dessert salad that tastes like a sweet, nostalgic dream, a fluffy, cloud-like concoction of tropical fruits, jewel-toned cherries, and pillowy marshmallows, all folded into a light and creamy homemade whipped cream dressing. That, my friends, is the wonderful, retro magic of a classic Ambrosia Salad. This isn’t just a side dish; it’s a celebration in a bowl, and this is, without a doubt, the best version you will ever make.
I promise you, this recipe is as effortless as it is delicious. It’s a completely no-bake wonder that comes together in minutes. It’s a true show-stopper that is bursting with color and creamy, fruity flavor. It’s the kind of dish that disappears in a flash and has everyone asking, “Who made the Ambrosia?”
Get ready to master a beloved American classic and create a stunning, unforgettable salad that will be the star of any gathering.
Why This Ambrosia Salad is Truly the Best!
You are going to be completely charmed by this fluffy, fruity, and incredibly delicious salad. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Here’s why you have to make it:
- A Taste of Sweet Nostalgia: This is a classic, beloved American recipe that brings back the best memories of family gatherings, holidays, and potlucks.
- Incredibly Light and Fluffy: Using a homemade whipped cream dressing creates a texture that is unbelievably light, airy, and far superior to store-bought whipped toppings.
- Completely No-Bake and Super Easy: This entire spectacular dish comes together in one bowl with no oven required! It’s the ultimate low-stress party food.
- A Beautiful, Colorful Centerpiece: The combination of pineapple, bright mandarin oranges, and ruby-red maraschino cherries makes for a stunning, festive presentation.
- The Perfect Make-Ahead Dish: This salad needs a couple of hours to chill and let the flavors meld, making it an ideal, stress-free dish to prepare before your guests arrive.
Recipe Snapshot
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Chill Time | 2 hours |
| Total Time | 2 hours 15 minutes |
| Servings | 8 servings |
| Calories | 487 kcal per serving |
| Course | Dessert, Side Dish |
| Cuisine | American |
| Difficulty/Method | Easy / No-Bake |
Your Shopping List for This Fluffy Delight
This recipe uses a handful of simple, classic ingredients to create its signature flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
→ For the Fruit Salad Base
- 2 cups Fresh Pineapple → Cut into small pieces. Fresh is so much better than canned for texture!
- 1 (15-ounce) can Mandarin Oranges → Drained very well.
- 1 (14-ounce) jar Maraschino Cherries → Drained very well and patted dry.
- 1 cup Sweetened Shredded Coconut → For that classic ambrosia flavor.
- 3 cups Mini Marshmallows → The key to the fluffy, pillowy texture.
→ For the Creamy Dressing
- 1 1/3 cup Heavy Cream → Must be very cold!
- 3 Tablespoons Sugar → Or more, to your taste.
- 1/4 cup Sour Cream → Adds a wonderful tang and helps stabilize the whipped cream.
→ Optional Add-ins
- 1 cup Green Grapes, halved
- 1/2 cup chopped Pecans
Let’s Get Mixing! Your Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to create the dreamiest, fluffiest fruit salad ever? This no-bake process is so simple and fun.
Part 1: The Homemade Whipped Cream Dressing
- Whip the Cream: In a large, chilled mixing bowl, add the cold heavy cream and the sugar. Using an electric mixer, whip on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. (When you lift the beaters, the peak should gently slump over).
- Fold in the Sour Cream: Gently fold in the sour cream with a spatula until it’s just combined. Don’t stir or you’ll deflate the whipped cream! This is the perfect time to taste it and add more sugar if you like your salad extra sweet.
Part 2: Assemble and Chill
- Combine the Fruit Base: In a separate, very large bowl, combine the fresh pineapple pieces, the well-drained mandarin oranges, the well-drained maraschino cherries, the shredded coconut, and the mini marshmallows.
- Fold it All Together: Gently fold the whipped cream mixture into the fruit and marshmallow mixture. Use a large spatula and a gentle hand, scraping from the bottom and folding over the top until everything is lightly and evenly coated.
- Chill to Perfection: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours. This crucial step allows the flavors to meld and the salad to set up perfectly.
- Serve: Garnish with a few extra cherries before serving, if you like. Enjoy!
The Best Ambrosia Salad
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large, chilled mixing bowl, add the cold heavy cream and sugar. Whip with an electric mixer until soft peaks form.
- Gently fold in the sour cream with a spatula until just combined. If you prefer a sweeter salad, you can add more sugar to taste.
- In a separate large bowl, combine the fresh pineapple, well-drained mandarin oranges, well-drained maraschino cherries, shredded coconut, and mini marshmallows.
- Gently fold the whipped cream mixture into the fruit mixture until everything is lightly and evenly coated.
- Cover the bowl and place in the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to develop and the salad to set. Serve cold.
Notes
WiseRecipes’ Top Tips for the Best Ambrosia Salad
These simple secrets will ensure your nostalgic salad is flawlessly fluffy and delicious.
- DRAIN Your Fruit VERY Well. This is the most important rule for preventing a runny, watery ambrosia salad. After draining the mandarin oranges and cherries, I like to spread them out on a few layers of paper towels to absorb any excess liquid before adding them to the bowl.
- Use COLD Heavy Cream and a Chilled Bowl. For the fluffiest, most stable whipped cream, your cream must be very cold. For extra insurance on a warm day, pop your mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer for 10-15 minutes before you start whipping.
- Fold, Don’t Stir! The key to keeping this salad light and airy is to use a gentle folding motion when combining the whipped cream with the other ingredients. This preserves all the air you just whipped into the cream.
- Don’t Skip the Chill Time. The 2-hour chilling period is essential. It’s not just for making the salad cold; it allows the marshmallows to soften slightly and the flavors of all the components to meld together into that classic, delicious Ambrosia taste.
- Fresh Pineapple is a Game-Changer. While you can use canned pineapple in a pinch (drained very well, of course), the firm texture and bright, tangy flavor of fresh pineapple is a massive upgrade and makes the salad taste so much better.
Keep It Fresh! Storing Your Salad
This salad is a fantastic make-ahead dish for any party!
- Refrigerator: Store any leftover Ambrosia Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 3 days. Be aware that it may become a little more watery on the second day as the fruits continue to release their juices, but it will still be delicious!
FAQs: Your Ambrosia Salad Questions, Answered!
Can I use Cool Whip instead of homemade whipped cream?
Yes, absolutely! If you’re short on time, you can substitute the homemade whipped cream and sugar with a 12-ounce container of thawed Cool Whip. You can still fold in the 1/4 cup of sour cream to add that nice bit of tang.
Can I add nuts or other fruits?
Of course! Ambrosia is wonderfully versatile. Chopped pecans are a classic and delicious addition for some crunch. Halved green or red grapes are also a very common and tasty ingredient to add to the fruit base.
My Ambrosia Salad is runny. What did I do wrong?
A runny salad is almost always caused by not draining the canned fruits (mandarin oranges and maraschino cherries) thoroughly enough. Their packing liquid will break down the whipped cream and create a watery base. Be sure to drain them in a colander and even pat them dry with paper towels for the best results.
Can I make this salad a day ahead of time?
Yes! This is a perfect make-ahead dish. The overnight chill will actually make the flavors even better. Just give it a gentle stir before transferring it to your final serving dish.
Final Thoughts: A Bowl of Sweet Memories
There is something so joyful about a dish that instantly transports you back to childhood parties and happy family gatherings. This classic Ambrosia Salad is a true taste of nostalgia, a sweet, fluffy, and utterly delightful treat that is meant to be shared. It’s a simple, rewarding recipe that I know will bring smiles to the faces of everyone at your table. Happy mixing!
