Classic Creamy Ambrosia Salad
A nostalgic and creamy fruit salad featuring fresh fruit, mini marshmallows, and a tangy dressing made with sour cream and whipped topping. Perfect for potlucks and holiday gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup seedless green grapes, halved
- 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks (or canned, drained)
- 1 cup mandarin orange segments (canned or fresh)
- 1 medium apple, peeled and diced (optional)
- 1 cup mini marshmallows (classic or strawberry-flavored)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup whipped topping (like Cool Whip or homemade whipped cream)
- 1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- 1–2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Rinse the grapes and slice them in half. Peel and dice the apple if using. Drain canned pineapple and mandarins thoroughly to avoid excess liquid.
- In a large bowl, combine the sour cream, whipped topping, fresh orange juice, and vanilla extract. Stir gently until smooth and creamy.
- Add the prepared fruit, mini marshmallows, shredded coconut, and nuts (if using) to the creamy mixture. Fold everything together gently using a spatula, taking care not to crush the fruit or deflate the whipped topping.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
- Give the salad a gentle stir before serving. Drain off any excess juice if needed.
Notes
For best texture, add nuts and marshmallows just before serving if preparing ahead. Use fresh, ripe fruit and drain canned fruit well to avoid watery salad. Gentle folding preserves the fluffy texture. Substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt for a lighter version or coconut yogurt for dairy-free.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup (240 ml)
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 22
- Sodium: 70
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 3
Keywords: ambrosia salad, creamy fruit salad, old fashioned dessert, potluck recipe, easy dessert, marshmallow salad