Creamy Ambrosia Salad
A quick and easy creamy ambrosia salad combining mandarin oranges, pineapple, maraschino cherries, mini marshmallows, shredded coconut, and Cool Whip for a refreshing fruit dessert perfect for gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz Cool Whip, thawed
- 1 can mandarin oranges, drained
- 1 can pineapple chunks, drained
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 1/2 cup maraschino cherries, chopped and drained
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened)
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
Instructions
- Drain the mandarin oranges and pineapple chunks thoroughly using a colander or strainer to remove excess liquid.
- Chop the maraschino cherries into halves or quarters. If using nuts, roughly chop them as well. Toast nuts lightly in a dry pan for 2-3 minutes if desired.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the thawed Cool Whip, vanilla extract, and fresh orange juice. Stir gently until smooth and well blended.
- Fold in the drained mandarin oranges, pineapple chunks, chopped cherries, mini marshmallows, shredded coconut, and nuts if using. Fold gently to keep fruit intact and evenly coated.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and marshmallows to soften. Overnight chilling is recommended for best results.
- Before serving, gently stir the salad. Scoop into individual bowls or a serving dish and garnish with a cherry or extra coconut if desired.
Notes
Drain fruit thoroughly to avoid watery salad. Use thawed Cool Whip for smooth blending. Fold ingredients gently to keep fruit intact. Chilling for at least 1 hour improves flavor and texture. Fresh orange juice adds brightness and balances sweetness. Optional to toast nuts for extra flavor. Can substitute dairy-free toppings for Cool Whip for allergy-friendly version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/2 cup per se
- Calories: 165
- Sugar: 22
- Sodium: 50
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 1.5
Keywords: ambrosia salad, creamy fruit salad, Cool Whip dessert, easy fruit dessert, potluck dessert, summer salad