Classic Creamy Ambrosia Salad
A simple, creamy fruit salad with pineapple, mandarin oranges, mini marshmallows, shredded coconut, and whipped cream. Perfect for potlucks, holidays, or any occasion.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks (or canned, drained)
- 1 cup mandarin orange segments (canned or fresh)
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened)
- 1 cup whipped topping or heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- Drain canned pineapple chunks and mandarin oranges thoroughly to avoid watery salad. If using fresh pineapple, cut into bite-sized pieces. (5 minutes)
- In a large bowl, whip 1 cup of heavy cream until soft peaks form using an electric mixer or whisk. If using store-bought whipped topping, stir to loosen. (3-5 minutes)
- Gently fold in 1 cup mini marshmallows and 1/2 cup shredded coconut, taking care not to deflate the whipped cream. (2 minutes)
- Carefully fold in pineapple chunks and mandarin oranges, distributing fruit evenly but keeping distinct. (2 minutes)
- Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight for best results.
- Before serving, gently stir the salad. Optionally, sprinkle extra shredded coconut or fresh mint leaves on top. (1 minute)
Notes
Drain fruit thoroughly to avoid watery salad. Whip cream to soft peaks, not stiff. Fold ingredients gently to keep fluffy texture. For thicker salad, add 1 tablespoon instant pudding mix to whipped cream. Can substitute Greek yogurt for whipped cream for tang and protein boost. For dairy-free, use coconut whipped cream and gelatin-free marshmallows.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup per serv
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 22
- Sodium: 50
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 2
Keywords: ambrosia salad, creamy fruit salad, easy fruit salad, potluck recipe, holiday side dish, marshmallow salad