Classic Ambrosia Salad

Classic Ambrosia Salad combines canned fruit, toasted pecans, mini marshmallows, and shredded coconut in a sweet, fluffy whipped topping! This vintage side dish or dessert comes together in only 20 minutes!

For another vintage taste try my 10-minute Apple Grape Salad that’s filled with apples, grapes, and walnuts! And just like this Ambrosia Salad, it can be enjoyed as a side dish or dessert!

This Classic Ambrosia Salad coats tropical fruit and toasted pecans in a sweet, creamy topping that’s made of cool whip and sour cream! The mandarin oranges, pineapple, cherries, and shredded coconut make for an irresistible flavor that everyone will love!

What Is Ambrosia Salad?

Ambrosia Salad is a chilled, creamy dish that began popping up in the Southern US in the late 1800s. By the 1920s it became a popular treat that was considered luxurious and served only at holidays or special celebrations.

Its sweet flavor can be enjoyed as a side dish to balance out a savory holiday meal such as Thanksgiving or Christmas Dinner! But is also good enough to be a wonderful dessert as well!

5 Reasons Why This Recipe Works!

• Make It Ahead! This recipe can easily be made the night before to help save on time!
• Variations! You can fill this treat with your favorite fruit! For other variations try adding strawberries, bananas, fresh orange slices, or even blueberries!
• Great For Holidays! Though it’s a vintage recipe, there’s a spot on every holiday dinner table for this Ambrosia Salad! For this year and many, many years to come!
• Cool Summertime Treat! Don’t just make this for the holidays! Bring it to those backyard cookouts as a sweet, chilled treat to cool down with!
• Easy Potluck Contribution! This salad makes for an easy potluck contribution since it’s made in only 20 minutes using storebought ingredients!

Ingredient Notes

Whipping up this Classic Ambrosia Salad recipe is super easy to do! Simply toast the pecans in only 10 minutes and then combine all of the ingredients into the sweet, creamy mixture that holds this side dish together!

To make this Ambrosia Fruit Salad you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Chopped Pecans – These will get toasted in the oven before being added to the salad. The pecans lend a wonderful crunch and slight nutty flavor to the Ambrosia Salad.
• Fruit – Pineapple tidbits, mandarin oranges, and maraschino cherries.
• Shredded Coconut – This enhances the great tropical flavor this salad has!
• Vanilla Extract – Brings all the flavors of this entire recipe together and smooths them out for the best taste!
• Mini Marshmallows – Regular or fruit flavored, your choice!
• Cool Whip – You could also use Whipped Cream as long as you’ll be enjoying the salad within a few hours.
• Greek Yogurt – Can be replaced with sour cream or whipped cream cheese if you’d prefer.

Once you’ve finished making the Fruit Salad you can leave it as is or add some pink color to it! For color just add some pink or red food coloring or use the juice from the jar of cherries!

How To Make Ambrosia Fruit Salad

1. Toast the pecans by spreading them out on a baking sheet and placing them in the oven. Afterward, allow them to cool.
2. Combine the pineapple, mandarin oranges, cherries, coconut, vanilla, and cooled pecans into a large bowl. Mix the ingredients together.
3. Fold in the mini marshmallows, whipped topping, and yogurt.
4. Chill the Fruit Salad in the refrigerator before serving and enjoying!

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s The Shelf Life Of Ambrosia Salad?

Ambrosia salad stays good for up to 3 to 5 days! Just be sure to store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Can You Freeze Ambrosia Salad?

Unfortunately, Ambrosia Salad does not freeze well. The freezing and thawing take a toll on the overall salad and will result in a soupy, soggy salad.

What Does Ambrosia Salad Taste Like?

The fruit you choose to put into your salad will ultimately dictate its flavor. If you follow this recipe you’re left with a fruity, tropical flavor in a sweet, slightly tangy creaminess.

Does The Yogurt Flavor Stand Out In This Recipe?

Not to worry, it does not! Instead, it cuts the sweetness of the overall recipe to balance out the flavor.

Can I Leave The Shredded Coconut Out Of The Ambrosia Salad?

Though coconut shreds are a traditional ingredient in the salad you can totally leave it out if you prefer.

Can I Use Fresh Pineapple Instead Of Canned Crushed Pineapple?

You most certainly can! That fresh flavor would make a great addition to this recipe!

What Other Nuts Can I Use In This Fruit Salad?

If you’d like, you can swap the pecans out for walnuts!

Delicious vintage recipes like this Ambrosia Fruit Salad will always have a spot on my table! If you have yet to try a vintage recipe here are a few popular ones that would be another tasty starting place!

• Whipping Cream Cake – Lightly crisp and buttery, this pound cake-like dessert is made with just 6 ingredients!
• Broccoli Salad – A crunchy, slightly sweetened side salad that’s ready in only 20 minutes!
• Peanut Butter Buckeye Balls – This traditional no-bake treat is filled with creamy peanut buttery goodness!
• Beef Stroganoff – Tender ribeye steak sauteed in a buttery mushroom and sour cream sauce that’s then served over egg noodles!
• Classic Maine Whoopie Pies – A tasty treat that originated around the 1920s but has stuck around for good reason!

Let’s Connect!

If you’ve tried this recipe, please let me know how you liked it in the comments below and leave a review. I love hearing from you!

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