Fluffy fruit salad with coconut and marshmallows
Classic Ambrosia Salad
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
0 min
Total Time
15 min
Servings
10
8 cups
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Budget
$
Classic Ambrosia Salad
Fluffy fruit salad with coconut and marshmallows
★4.7(21)
A retro Southern fruit salad folding mandarin oranges, pineapple, coconut, marshmallows, and maraschino cherries into a cloud of whipped cream. Potluck royalty.
15m
Prep Time
0m
Cook Time
15m
Total Time
10
Servings
Easy
Difficulty
Budget $
Cost
Sarah Chen
(Updated )
Ambrosia—food of the gods—is a nostalgic Southern dessert salad that appears at every holiday gathering. Sweet fruits, fluffy coconut, and pillowy marshmallows float in whipped cream.
This is the kind of recipe that defines American home cooking at its best — straightforward, satisfying, and built on flavors that everyone loves.
This recipe represents the best of American home cooking — unpretentious, generous, and built to satisfy. Classic Ambrosia Salad is the kind of dish that brings people to the table and keeps them coming back for seconds. It draws on the diverse culinary traditions that have shaped American food culture, combining familiar flavors with techniques that produce consistently excellent results.
Successful baking comes down to precision and patience. Measure carefully, follow the order of operations, and trust the recipe. The oven does most of the work — your job is to set it up for success with properly mixed ingredients, the right temperature, and restraint (no peeking during the first two-thirds of baking time).
Ingredients
- 1 can (15 oz) mandarin oranges, drained
- 1 can (20 oz) pineapple tidbits, drained
- 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 1 cup maraschino cherries, halved and drained
- 1 cup heavy cream, whipped (or 8 oz Cool Whip)
Instructions
- 1
Drain all canned fruits thoroughly and pat dry to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
- 2
Combine mandarin oranges, pineapple, coconut, marshmallows, and cherries in a large bowl.
- 3
Whip heavy cream with 2 tbsp powdered sugar until stiff peaks form (or use Cool Whip).
- 4
Gently fold whipped cream into the fruit mixture until everything is evenly coated.
- 5
Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving for the best flavor and texture.
Serving Suggestions
Ways to Serve This Dish
Serve with classic coleslaw and cornbread on the side
Pair with fresh-cut fries or roasted potato wedges
Serve as a light main course or alongside grilled protein
Best enjoyed fresh -- prepare the dressing separately if making ahead
Substitutions
Cool WhipFresh whipped cream with sour cream
Tastes more homemade and less sweet
Mini marshmallowsVanilla yogurt for a lighter version
Cuts the sweetness significantly
Tips & Storage
Pro Tips
Add 1/2 cup sour cream to the whipped cream for a tangier, more stable base.
Toast the coconut in a dry skillet for 3 minutes for extra depth and a nutty crunch.
Measure baking ingredients by weight when possible. Baking is chemistry, and precision matters more than in any other type of cooking.
Bring butter, eggs, and dairy to room temperature before mixing. Cold ingredients do not emulsify properly and can produce tough, uneven results.
Storage
Refrigerate covered up to 3 days. The marshmallows will soften more over time.
Reheating
Most baked goods are best at room temperature. If frozen, thaw in the refrigerator overnight then bring to room temperature. Some items benefit from a brief warm-up in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes.
Recipe Notes from Our Kitchen
Editor's Note
Editor's note: Read the entire recipe before starting. Baking rewards preparation — having everything measured and at the right temperature before you begin makes the process smooth and the results consistent.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (25mg) · 10 servings
Calories210
LowModerateHigh
A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Protein2g
Carbohydrates8g
Fat34g
Fiber40mg
Sugar2g
Sodium26g
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use fresh fruit?
- Yes—fresh pineapple and orange segments work beautifully. Drain well.
- What is the origin of ambrosia?
- It dates to the 1860s South and was originally just oranges and coconut with sugar.
- Can I substitute the sugar?
- In baking, sugar does more than sweeten — it affects texture, browning, and moisture. You can reduce by up to 25% without major issues, but substituting entirely often changes the result significantly.
- Why did my recipe not turn out right?
- The most common causes are inaccurate measuring, incorrect oven temperature (use an oven thermometer), or substituting ingredients. Baking is chemistry — precision matters more than in any other type of cooking.
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About Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
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