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Classic Ambrosia Fruit Salad

  • Author: Traditional Southern Recipe

Description

A creamy, sweet, and refreshing fruit salad with marshmallows, coconut, and citrus flavors. Perfect for potlucks, holidays, or as a light dessert.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Crust:

  • For the fruit mixture:
  • 1 (20 oz) can pineapple chunks, drained
  • 1 (11 oz) can mandarin oranges, drained
  • 2 cups mini marshmallows
  • 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
  • 1 cup maraschino cherries, halved and drained
  • For the creamy dressing:
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup whipped topping (like Cool Whip)
  • 1 tbsp orange juice
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Prepare the Crust:

  1. 1. In a large mixing bowl, combine pineapple chunks, mandarin oranges, mini marshmallows, shredded coconut, and maraschino cherries.
  2. 2. In a separate bowl, whisk together sour cream, whipped topping, orange juice, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  3. 3. Gently fold the creamy dressing into the fruit mixture until evenly coated.
  4. 4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (preferably overnight) to allow flavors to meld.
  5. 5. Stir gently before serving. Garnish with extra coconut or cherries if desired.

Notes

For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream and unsweetened coconut. Add diced apples or grapes for extra crunch. Avoid overmixing to prevent the fruit from breaking down.