Description
A classic Ambrosia Fruit Salad featuring a creamy mix of Cool Whip, vanilla yogurt, and an assortment of tropical fruits and mini marshmallows. This chilled salad is a sweet, refreshing side dish or dessert that’s easy to prepare and perfect for gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Base
- 8 ounces Cool Whip or other frozen whipped topping, thawed
- ½ cup vanilla yogurt
Fruit and Mix-ins
- 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
- 15 ounce can mandarin oranges, drained
- 8 ounces pineapple tidbits, drained
- 1 cup maraschino cherries, drained
- 1 ¾ cups mini fruit-flavored marshmallows
Optional Toppings
- Chopped apples
- Chopped pecans
- Sliced fruit like bananas
Instructions
- Mix the Base: In a very large bowl, combine the thawed Cool Whip and vanilla yogurt. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and evenly blended.
- Add Fruits and Marshmallows: Gently fold in the shredded coconut, drained mandarin oranges, pineapple tidbits, maraschino cherries, and mini fruit-flavored marshmallows to the whipped mixture, ensuring even distribution without deflating the whipped topping.
- Chill the Salad: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for about 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill thoroughly.
- Serve with Optional Toppings: Before serving, optionally garnish with chopped apples, chopped pecans, or sliced fruits such as bananas for added texture and flavor. Enjoy chilled.
Notes
- Store ambrosia salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to keep it fresh.
- Freezing is not recommended as thawing can cause the salad to separate and become watery; if you do freeze it, use an airtight, freezer-friendly container and consume within 1-2 months, preferably eating it frozen like a dessert.
- You can customize the salad by adding or substituting other fruits such as grapes or berries for variation.
- For a lighter version, use low-fat yogurt and reduced-fat whipped topping.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 55 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg
