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    Home » Recipes » Salad

    Ambrosia Fruit Salad- With Sour Cream and Cool Whip

    July 6, 2019 Updated: June 19, 2022 By Katie Crenshaw 5 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    Ambrosia Salad is an American variation of fruit salad that has been around for years. This classic "church salad" has been made for many church family gatherings, potlucks, backyard barbecues, and pig pickings.  It is quick and easy to make. Make Ambrosia Fruit Salad for your next gathering!

    Ambrosia Salad is an American variation of fruit salad that has been around for years.

    It is a tasty combination of pineapple, oranges, cherries, pecans, and coconut, in a whipped cream mixture.

    This classic "church salad" has been made for many church family gatherings, potlucks, backyard barbecues, and pig pickings.

    It is quick and easy to make. Make Ambrosia Fruit Salad for your next gathering!

    Ambrosia Salad in a a white serving bowl

    Do you remember this classic dish from your childhood?

    Ambrosia means, "Something something very pleasing to taste or smell." I remember as a child always seeing this colorful dish on the church potluck tables and being incredibly fascinated by the marshmallows and cherries.

    I always placed a heaping scoopful on my plate and it was one of the first things I would dig into. Next, I would pick out the maraschino cherries, eat them first,  then devour the rest.

    It was indeed pleasing to taste. I wasn't afraid to go back for seconds.

    I also remember ambrosia fruit salad on the table of my grandmother's family barbecues. She sometimes made this or alternated with watergate salad I miss my grandmother terribly.

    Whenever I make this no-bake dessert, it makes me think of her, and brings back happy memories.

    fruit salad with coconut and cherries on top

    What is Ambrosia Fruit Salad Made Of?

    To make this pretty ambrosia fruit salad, you will need the following ingredients:

    • maraschino cherries
    • mandarin oranges
    • crushed pineapple
    • sweetened coconut flakes
    • toasted chopped pecans
    • mini marshmallows
    • Cool Whip
    • sour cream
    ambrosia salad in white bowl on a red plate

    Do you have to use pecans?

    The pecans give your salad a great crunch and texture. I do recommend using nuts, but if you do not want to use pecans, you can replace them with toasted walnuts, cashews, or almonds.

    steps on How to make Ambrosia Salad process photos

    How do you make Ambrosia Salad?

    Ambrosia salad is crazy easy to make. Follow these steps:

    1. Toast the pecans.
    2. In a large mixing bowl mix, combine pecans, sour cream, cool whip, mandarin oranges, crushed pineapple, 10 oz maraschino cherries, coconut flakes, and marshmallows.

    You can serve immediately, but I like to chill mine at least an hour before serving.

    Garnish Tip!

    When making it, set aside a little of your coconut flakes and a few of your oranges and cherries. You can use them to garnish. It will make your ambrosia salad pretty!

    Fruit salad with cherries, mandarin oranges, coconut, and cool whip

    Looking for some more church potluck recipes? Try some of these:

    • Seven Layer Salad
    • Watergate Salad
    • Shrimp Pasta Salad
    • Southern Sweet Potato Casserole 
    • Tomato Grits Casserole
    • Calico Beans
    • Hash Brown Casserole
    • Cranberry Apple Casserole
    • Banana Pudding
    • Strawberry Cream Shortcake  Trifle
    • Chocolate Eclair Cake

    If you liked this easy ambrosia salad recipe, please leave me a comment and tell me how it went. I would love to hear back, and so would my readers. xoxo!

    Also post your picture of your ambrosia salad on Instagram or Facebook, and tag @aforkstale with #aforkstale hashtags! I will share with my followers! xoxo!

    Fruit salad with cherries, mandarin oranges, coconut, and cool whip

    Ambrosia Fruit Salad- With Sour Cream and Cool Whip

    Ambrosia Salad is an American variation of fruit salad that has been around for years. It is a tasty combination of pineapple, oranges, cherries, pecans, and coconut, in a whipped cream mixture.This classic "church salad" has been made for many dinner gatherings.
    4.88 from 8 votes
    Print Pin Save Recipe Saved! Rate
    Course: Dessert, Salad
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 229kcal
    Author: Katie Crenshaw

    Ingredients

    • ¾ cup pecans chopped
    • 8 oz cool whip
    • ½ cup sour cream
    • 11 oz mandarin oranges drained
    • 20 oz crushed pineapple drained
    • 10 oz maraschino cherries drained
    • 1 cup sweetened coconut flakes
    • 2 cups miniature marshmallows

    Instructions

    • Bake ¾ cup chopped pecans at 350 for 5 minutes. Allow the pecans to cool.
    • In a large mixing bowl, combine pecans, 8 oz cool whip, ½ cup sour cream, 11 oz mandarin oranges (drained), 20 oz crushed pineapple (drained), 10 oz maraschino cherries (drained), 1 cup sweetened coconut flakes, and 2 cups marshmallows.
    • You can serve immediately, but I like to chill mine at least an hour before serving.

    Notes

    When making ambrosia fruit salad, set aside a little of your coconut flakes and a few of your oranges and cherries. You can use them to garnish. It will make your ambrosia salad pretty!

    Nutrition- Nutrition info is based on estimation only.

    Calories: 229kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 50mg | Potassium: 192mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 305IU | Vitamin C: 11.5mg | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 0.6mg
    Tried this recipe? I want to see it!Mention @aForksTale or tag #aForksTale!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Rachel Shimon

      July 25, 2019 at 10:58 am

      5 stars
      Hi,
      I tried this at home yesterday and this turned out to so delicious.
      This changed my perception of not having salads normally.
      Thank you for this delicious recipe. I would like to see some more recipe related to salads and will share with others. keep sharing.

    2. ANNETTE PETERSON

      December 17, 2019 at 4:07 am

      5 stars
      I've made this many times and it's very good. Fresh grapes are also a nice addition. I noticed in the ingredient list that you did not mention that the canned fruit must be DRAINED.

    3. Janet Baxley Hall

      December 22, 2020 at 9:11 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe includes cool whip and we love it! I think you will too.

    4. Adrianna Centeno

      August 17, 2021 at 9:38 am

      5 stars
      I absolutely love this recipe! My ex mother in law used to make it & I never got the recipe. Now, 20 yrs later, I've found it & make it for my own family. I think it's important to mention that the canned fruit needs to be very well drained as a little bit of juice kinda makes the salad messy. I like to add green grapes & walnuts to it too sometimes. Very yummy! Thank you! I'm so happy I finally found the recipe!!

    5. Elaine C Urie

      November 26, 2021 at 1:36 am

      5 stars
      Fabulous recipe, I did add grapes... mmmmm!! Will reuse this recipe...

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    Katie Crenshaw-A Fork's Tale

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