Description
A classic Ambrosia Salad combining a variety of sweet fruits, creamy vanilla yogurt, cool whip, and a touch of coconut and nuts for texture, perfect for a refreshing and easy-to-make dessert or side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits
- 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)
Dressing & Mix-ins
- 6 oz. vanilla yogurt (full fat)
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- ½ cup sweetened coconut flakes
- 8 oz. cool whip (thawed)
- 1/3 cup chopped pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Drain and Dry Fruit: Use paper towels to carefully remove excess liquid from the pineapple chunks, mandarin oranges, fruit cocktail, and maraschino cherries. Drying the fruit helps maintain a creamy texture rather than a watery salad.
- Reserve Garnishes: Set aside a few mandarin oranges, cherries, coconut flakes, and chopped pecans to use later for decorating the top of the salad.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, add all salad ingredients including the dried fruits, vanilla yogurt, mini marshmallows, coconut flakes, cool whip, and chopped pecans if using. Use a silicone spatula to gently fold everything together to maintain the fruits’ texture and keep the salad light and fluffy.
- Serve or Chill: Transfer the salad to a serving dish and garnish the top with the reserved mandarin oranges, cherries, coconut flakes, and nuts. Serve immediately for the best texture or refrigerate until ready to serve, ensuring it stays chilled and fresh.
Notes
- Full fat vanilla yogurt gives the salad a richer creaminess; you can substitute with low fat or Greek yogurt if preferred.
- Draining fruit well is important to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
- The pecans are optional but add a nice crunch and contrast to the creamy texture.
- For best results, consume within 24 hours of preparation as the texture is best fresh.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Ambrosia salad, fruit salad, creamy fruit dessert, holiday salad, no cook dessert
