Description

Classic Ambrosia Salad is a creamy, sweet fruit salad featuring mandarin oranges, pineapple tidbits, mini marshmallows, shredded coconut, and maraschino cherries all folded into a luscious mixture of sour cream, vanilla, and whipped topping. Perfect as a refreshing side dish or dessert, this no-cook, easy-to-make recipe yields 8 servings and delights with a balance of creamy texture and fruity sweetness.

Ingredients

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Dressing

1/2 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
8 ounces whipped topping (Cool Whip), thawed until easily spreadable

Fruit and Mix-ins

1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
1 (8 ounce) can pineapple tidbits, drained
1 cup mini marshmallows
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1 cup maraschino cherries, drained

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Instructions

Prepare the Dressing: In a large bowl, combine the sour cream and vanilla extract. Mix until the mixture is smooth and evenly blended to create a creamy base for the salad.
Add Whipped Topping: Gently fold in the thawed whipped topping (Cool Whip) to the sour cream mixture, ensuring the mixture remains light and fluffy without deflating the whipped topping.
Incorporate Fruit and Mix-ins: Carefully fold in the drained mandarin oranges, pineapple tidbits, mini marshmallows, shredded coconut, and maraschino cherries. Use a spatula to mix gently, distributing the ingredients evenly without crushing the fruit.
Chill and Serve: Although the salad can be enjoyed immediately, cover the bowl and refrigerate for a few hours. Chilling helps the flavors meld beautifully, resulting in a more harmonious and refreshing taste.

Notes

Drain canned fruits thoroughly to prevent the salad from becoming too watery.
For a lighter option, you can substitute regular sour cream with low-fat sour cream or Greek yogurt.
If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the amount of marshmallows or omit them entirely.
To enhance texture contrast, consider adding chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts before serving.
This salad is best eaten within 2 days of preparation for optimum freshness.