Classic Ambrosia Fruit Salad

I remember when my grandmother would pull out her special cut-glass bowl from the china cabinet, and I just KNEW that meant Ambrosia Fruit Salad was coming!

This cool, creamy, sweet and refreshing treat brings back ALL the childhood memories for me.

Growing up in the south, this colorful fruit salad was at literally every family gathering we ever had.

Christmas dinner? Ambrosia on the table.

Easter lunch? Ambrosia right next to the ham.

Random Sunday after church? You better believe my mama had a bowl of this waiting in the fridge!

The best part?

It comes together in just 15 minutes in ONE BOWL.

This sweet, fluffy creation is seriously like a little taste of my southern childhood in every bite.

My grandmother would be so proud to see me passing down this tradition to my girls, even if we’re making it between soccer practices instead of for after-church gatherings like in my day.

Ingredients for Easy Ambrosia Salad

Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this yummy salad.

• Sour cream – Gives that perfect bit of tang to balance out the sweetness.

• Cool Whip – This is what makes it all fluffy and dreamy. Could you use homemade whipped cream? Yup!
• Vanilla extract – Just a splash takes it from good to “everyone asks for the recipe” amazing.
• Canned mandarin oranges and pineapple – Drain them well or you’ll end up with soupy ambrosia.
• Mini marshmallows – We use the white ones but my youngest is always begging for the colored ones.
• Shredded coconut – Gives it that southern charm and tropical flavor.
• Maraschino cherries – These add that pretty pop of color that makes it look fancy even though it took you 15 minutes to throw together.

This is one of those recipes that tastes even better the next day if it lasts that long in your house! Mine usually disappears before I can even get the dishes done.

How to Make Ambrosia Salad

Here are step-by-step instructions on how to prepare ambrosia fruit salad!

Step 1: Grab your biggest mixing bowl. The one you think is big enough never is when you start adding all those goodies.

Step 2: Splash in that vanilla extract and spoon in the sour cream. Give them a good swirl together until they’re dancing as one.

Step 3: Carefully fold in your Cool Whip using a rubber spatula with gentle swoops – you want it nice and gentle to keep all that fluffiness.

Step 4: Once your creamy base is ready, toss in all those colorful treasures – the oranges, pineapple, marshmallows, coconut and those ruby-red cherries that my youngest calls “dessert jewels.”

Step 5: Give everything a few loving turns with your spatula, being careful not to squish those fluffy clouds of Cool Whip. The secret is barely mixing it – just enough to get everything coated.

Step 6: Pop a cover on that beautiful creation and slide it into the fridge to chill. My grandmother always said “ambrosia needs a nap before it’s ready to party!”

Substitutions

If you need to alter some steps or ingredients, here are some tips to help you:

Swap the sour cream for vanilla yogurt if that’s what’s in your fridge. Just skip the extra vanilla since you’ll already have that flavor covered.

Feeling nutty? Sprinkle in some chopped pecans or walnuts for a satisfying crunch.

Try crushed pineapple instead of tidbits for a different texture experience.

Not a coconut fan? Leave it out!

Some traditional southern families (like my aunt Linda’s) make theirs without it and it’s still delicious.

Helpful Tips

• Make this ahead of time! I always try to whip it up the night before. It needs time in the fridge for all those yummy flavors to get friendly with each other.
• Drain those fruits SUPER well! I’m talking colander time, then paper towel pat down. Nothing ruins ambrosia faster than a soupy bottom.
• For potlucks or team dinners I serve this in a clear bowl so everyone can see all the pretty colors. My grandmother always used her special cut glass bowl and I swear it made it taste better!
• If you’re taking this somewhere use one of those bowls with a snap-on lid.
• Don’t use the jumbo marshmallows! They’re too big and don’t soften up right. The mini ones are perfect and my girls love snacking on the extras while we make it.
• This keeps well for about 3 days in the fridge but honestly it never lasts that long in our house!

This fruit salad is perfect with BBQ chicken on those hot summer days!