Easy Ambrosia Recipe - melissassouthernstylekitchen.com (2024)

Ambrosia is a vintage dish that can be served as a fruit salad, side dish or a dessert. The easy preparation is certain to earn it’s place on your list of favorites.

Easy Ambrosia Recipe

Ambrosia is a bowl of retro comfort food. Ambrosia is a Southern fruit salad that’s made with whipped cream pineapple, maraschino cherries and an assortment of fruit. It can be served as a salad or as a dessert. It’s a dish that sometimes signals debate in how it should be served. Is it a side dish or is it a dessert?I’ve seen it served both ways. I consider it a fruit salad dessert, but I have seen it served as a side dish, as well. It’s all up to the discretion of the hostess, of course. How to make Ambrosia: (Scroll down for full printable recipe.)

• Toast Nuts – Spread the nuts on a baking sheet in a single layer. Toast at 350°F for 6-8 minutes. Cool completely.
• Creamed Ingredients – Whip together cream and vanilla. Gradually add powdered sugar. Beat 3 minutes on medium-high speed until thickened and stiff peaks have formed.
• Sour Cream – Add sour cream beating with the mixer just until combined.
• Mix-ins – Use a large spoon to fold in nuts, mandarin oranges, pineapple, cherries, marshmallows and coconut until fully combined.
• Chill in an airtight container for 4 hours or overnight prior to serving.

How to Make the BEST Southern Ambrosia Recipe

Typically, ambrosia recipes include mandarin oranges or fresh clementine segments, flaked coconut and pineapple. The sky is the limit with variations.

• Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Ambrosia: Chopped walnuts or pecanstoasted, heavy cream, vanilla, powdered sugar, sour cream, mandarin orange segmentswell drained, fresh pineapple chunks or 1 [20] oz can pineapple tidbits, maraschino cherries, miniature marshmallows, sweetened flaked coconut.
• Kitchen tools you’ll need: Large bowl, hand mixer or stand mixer, measuring cups and spoons and a sheet pan.
• I don’t stray far from the classics for my Ambrosia, but from time to time I have chosen to use a can of cream of coconut in place of flaked coconut. It adds to the flavor without being a turn off to the non-coconut fans.
• Should you choose to do so, I find that an 8 ounce container of frozen whipped topping holds up to the addition better than fresh whipped cream. Whip it into the whipped topping along with the sour cream. You would also omit the powdered sugar.
• You can vary the type of fruit in Ambrosia, adding other fruits such as fresh grapes, strawberries or bananas, too.
• There is plenty of room to personalize this simple salad to your taste. It’s lush and loaded with nostalgia.
• Store Ambrosia chilled in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

More Easy No Bake Desserts to Make

• Island inspiredHawaiian Pineapple Coconut Fluff.
• Treat the family to this creamyBanana Pudding Dip.
• A fall favorite my recipe forChocolate Drizzled Caramel Apple Fluffis rich and decadent.
• Pistachio Fluffa.k.a. Watergate Salad is a vintage fluff recipe that’s delicious to the very last spoonful.
• Easy Ambrosiafor the holidays and summer picnics.
• Turn vintage Millionaire Pie into aMillionaire Pie Dipwith graham crackers for dipping.
• Cranberry Fluffwill make a delightful addition to your holiday menu.
• Homemade Marshmallow Fluff from Spend with Pennies.

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• Kitchen Utensils
• Mixer
• Measuring Set
• Mixing Bowls