This Ambrosia Fruit Salad is made with just 7 ingredients in under 10 minutes! This is a creamy fruit salad that includes cool whip, cream cheese, fruits and colorful marshmallows! It’s a great summer time dessert to bring to family gatherings! I also love making it for the holidays because it’s full of bright colors and looks amazing on the dessert table! If you also love making this fruit salad for the holidays, you’ve got to try pairing it with these Instant Pot Turkey Thighs as the main dish!
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What is Ambrosia Fruit Salad?
The word itself, Ambrosia, derives from Ancient Greek mythology. It means food of the Greek gods or something with an especially delicious flavor or scent that is pleasing to the senses. Ambrosia fruit salad is said to have originated in Vermont around the late 19th century. Now, there’s a little history for you! However, in simple terms it’s just a creamy fruit salad with marshmallows. I’ve eaten ambrosia salad with kiwi, bananas, grapes and all kinds of fruits. I like keeping mine simple by using only maraschino cherries, pineapple and mandarin oranges.
Ingredients
- Cool Whip
- Cream Cheese
- Sweetened Coconut Flakes
- Pineapple Tidbits
- Mandarin Oranges
- Maraschino Cherries
- Colorful Mini Marshmallows
How To Make Ambrosia Fruit Salad
- First, start by creaming together your softened cream cheese and cool whip in a stand mixer or bowl using a hand mixer.
- Next, drain the liquid from the maraschino cherries, pineapple tidbits and mandarin oranges.
- Add all of the drained fruit to the mixing bowl.
- Add the shredded coconut flakes and mini colorful marshmallows.
- Use a spatula to fold all of the ingredients into the cool whip and cream cheese combination.
- Next, place in an air tight container and refrigerate the ambrosia salad for at least 1 hour.
- Finally, top off with more maraschino cherries and marshmallows if desired and enjoy!
Can I Make Ambrosia Salad Ahead?
Yes, you definitely can! Prepare the fruit salad the night before and place it in an air tight container in the refrigerator. Drain any excess fruit juice that may have accumulated and serve!
Storing Suggestions
Store fruit salad in the refrigerator in an air tight container for up to 3 days for best results. I don’t recommend freezing ambrosia salad because you’ll end up with mushy fruit and I don’t really think anyone likes mushy fruit! But if you do, then go for it!
Tips & Variations
- Some people don’t like marshmallows in their fruit salad. I personally love a fruity marshmallow salad, but if it’s not your cup of tea, just omit the marshmallows!
- Use whatever fruit you have on hand! This ambrosia salad works great with cut up grapes, kiwi or bananas! Don’t be afraid to get creative with this recipe and make it work for you!
- I use canned fruits in my ambrosia salad recipe but feel free to use fresh fruit! If using fresh fruit, you may need to add sugar to your liking because it won’t be as sweet as the canned fruits.
- If you were feeling extra festive when you made this fruit salad and bought yourself too many maraschino cherries and pineapple, then use up those leftovers to make this delicious Slow Cooker Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake!
Ambrosia Fruit Salad
Ingredients
- 8 oz cool whip
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1 cup canned pineapple tidbits drained
- 1 cup maraschino cherries drained
- 1 cup canned mandarin oranges drained
- 2 cups colorful mini marshmallows
Instructions
- First, start by creaming together your softened cream cheese and cool whip in a stand mixer or bowl using a hand mixer.
- Next, drain the liquid from the maraschino cherries, pineapple tidbits and mandarin oranges.
- Add all of the drained fruit to the mixing bowl.
- Add the shredded coconut flakes and mini colorful marshmallows.
- Use a spatula to fold all of the ingredients into the cool whip and cream cheese combination.
- Next, place in an air tight container and refrigerate the ambrosia salad for at least 1 hour.
- Finally, top off with more maraschino cherries and marshmallows if desired and enjoy!