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Ambrosia fruit salad with mandarin oranges, pineapple chunks, cherries, coconut, and marshmallows in a creamy dressing.

Creamy Ambrosia Fruit Salad

A creamy, nostalgic ambrosia fruit salad made with pineapple, mandarin oranges, coconut, and marshmallows. A retro crowd-pleaser perfect for holidays, potlucks, and family gatherings.
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Course: Dessert, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, southern
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 265kcal
Author: Hannah Cooking
Cost: $8–$10

Equipment

  • 1 Large mixing bowl (For combining the salad)
  • 1 Colander (To drain canned fruit fully)
  • 1 Rubber spatula (For gentle folding)
  • 1 Baking Sheet (For toasting coconut)
  • 1 Serving bowl (Preferably clear for presentation)
  • 1 Plastic wrap (For chilling the salad)

Ingredients

For the Salad

  • 20 oz Pineapple chunks - Drained very well
  • 22 oz Mandarin oranges - (Two 11-oz cans) drained
  • 2 cups Sweetened coconut flakes - Toasted preferred
  • 2 cups Mini marshmallows - White or pastel
  • 1 cup Maraschino cherries - Drained & halved
  • 1 cup Pecans or walnuts - Optional, chopped

For the Creamy Coating

  • 1 cup Sour cream - Full-fat for best texture
  • 1 cup Cool Whip - Or any whipped topping
  • 2 tablespoon Powdered sugar - Optional for extra sweetness
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract - Adds depth

Instructions 

  • Drain pineapple and oranges completely; pat dry.
  • Lightly toast coconut at 325°F for 5–7 minutes.
  • Whisk sour cream, Cool Whip, sugar, and vanilla.
  • Add fruit, coconut, cherries, and nuts to bowl.
  • Fold creamy mixture into fruit without crushing.
  • Cover and chill 2+ hours before serving.
    Ambrosia fruit salad with mandarin oranges, pineapple chunks, cherries, coconut, and marshmallows in a creamy dressing.

Notes

Nutrition facts are estimated and may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes used

Nutrition

Calories: 265kcal (13%) | Carbohydrates: 42g (14%) | Protein: 2g (4%) | Fat: 11g (17%) | Saturated Fat: 7g (44%) | Cholesterol: 12mg (4%) | Sodium: 47mg (2%) | Potassium: 178mg (5%) | Fiber: 3g (13%) | Sugar: 34g (38%) | Vitamin A: 105IU (2%) | Vitamin C: 28mg (34%) | Calcium: 42mg (4%) | Iron: 0.6mg (3%)