This easy Pioneer Woman Ambrosia Salad Recipe is the ultimate retro fruit salad! Dating back to the turn of the century this dish is still a crowd-pleaser today. Who can resist the combination of sour cream, sugar, marshmallows (need I say more?) along with mandarins, pineapple, grapes, pecans, and everyone’s favorite; maraschino cherries.
This cool whip ambrosia salad is perfect for pot lucks in the park, hot summer days, or just a treat any day of the week. It’s great to have in the fridge any time those cravings hit.
This fun dessert makes me think of “fruit salad yummy-yummy” the popular song by the Wiggles. My kids listened to it over and over and it’s stuck in my head. Ha! You’re welcome!
Looking for other summertime no-bake dessert treats? Try this easy Easy Strawberry Shortcake Trifle in a Mason Jar recipe or this Easy Lemon Icebox Pie.
Why You’ll Think this Fruit Salad is Yummy-Yummy
- Combination of sweet and tart flavors
- Nice crunch and texture
- Comes together quickly
- Easy to prepare
- Great for on-the-go
Equipment You Need To Make Ambrosia Salad
- Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Rubber spatula
- Serving bowl
- Measuring spoons and cups
Ingredients for Pioneer Woman Ambrosia Salad
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ½ cup sour cream
- 3 cups mini marshmallows
- 1 cup mandarin orange slices
- 1 cup pineapple tidbits
- 1 cup fresh green grapes cut in half
- 1 cup sweetened coconut flakes
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup maraschino cherries drained
How To Make Pioneer Woman Ambrosia Salad
Serving size – ½ cup
Number of Servings: 6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Additional Time: 1-hour chilling time
Step 1: Whip heavy cream in a mixing bowl and beat until stiff peaks form.
Step 2: Add in the sour cream and sugar and mix until smooth.
Step 3: Add in the mini marshmallows, mandarin oranges, pineapple tidbits, green grapes, coconut flakes, and pecans.
Step 3: Mix everything together.
Step 4: Refrigerate for 1 hour.
Step 4: Spoon into pretty bowls, add a cherry on top, serve and enjoy!
These are some of my favorite Pioneer Woman Serving Bowls!
All About Ambrosia Salad
In the late 1800s, the Ambrosia fruit salad began appearing in cookbooks as citrus fruit like pineapples and oranges became more available across the United States.
The initial Ambrosia fruit salad recipes were very simple, including orange slices, coconut, and sugar layered in a glass serving dish. They haven’t changed much over the years.
Variations of Ambrosia Salad
- Greek yogurt instead of sour cream
- Clementines instead of mandarins
- Purple grapes instead of green grapes
- Almonds or cashews instead of pecans
- Fruit-flavored mini marshmallows
- Vanilla pudding instead of sour cream
- Crushed pineapple or frozen pineapple chunks instead of tidbits
- Coconut chips instead of coconut flakes
Tips & Tricks for making this Pioneer Woman-Inspired Ambrosia Salad
- Have your fruit ready to go before assembling the salad
- Put the serving bowl in the fridge to speed up the refrigeration time
- Add some fresh fruit to up the ante on fruit flavor
- Add some spice by sprinkling cinnamon or nutmeg over the salad
- Toast the nuts before adding to the salad for a deeper, nuttier flavor
- Crush the nuts before sprinkling them over the salad
- Add a combination of seeds as well as the nuts
- Toss in some dried fruit like raisins or cranberries
- Serve the fruit salad in wine goblets for a fancier treat
How to Store Ambrosia Fruit Salad
This Ambrosia fruit salad will keep in the fridge for about 3 days. Double the recipe and make a big batch if you are expecting a large crowd or if you want to have some leftovers. It is not recommended to freeze the ambrosia fruit salad.
FAQs
What is Ambrosia salad?
Ambrosia salad is an American fruit salad originating in the Southern United States. Most ambrosia fruit salad recipes contain canned or fresh pineapple, canned mandarin orange slices or fresh orange sections, miniature marshmallows, and coconut.
What is the differencebetween Ambrosia salad and fruit salad?
Ambrosia Salad is a variation of the classic fruit salad we all know and love. The difference is Ambrosia salad has the added miniature marshmallows, sweetened coconut, and nuts.
How do you make Ambrosia salad with Cool Whip?
Use Cool Whip instead of heavy cream and follow the rest of the recipe instructions.
What can you substitute sour cream with?
Sour cream can be substituted with plain or vanilla yogurt. Full fat or Greek yogurt will work best and provide a rich flavor.
How long is Ambrosia salad good in the refrigerator?
Any Ambrosia fruit salad leftovers will keep for up to 3 days in the fridge as long as they are in a sealed airtight container.
How did the Ambrosia fruit salad get its name?
The once hard-to-find ingredients like citrus fruits and coconut were considered luxurious and exotic. The fruit salad was considered a special treat and was only served on holidays or special occasions. The salad was named “ambrosia” after the food of the Greek and Roman gods.
Can the Ambrosia fruit salad be a side dish?
There are no hard and fast rules about what constitutes a side dish so if you think the Ambrosia fruit salad complements your meal, sure go ahead and serve it as a side dish. The Ambrosia fruit salad also makes a great starter for a Sunday brunch!
Looking for more Pioneer Woman recipe inspiration? I’ve got you covered! You’ll find the Best Potato Salad here.
In case you have some leftover maraschino cherries try this 3 Ingredient Sprinkle Dipped Cherries recipe.
Does meal planning feel like a chore? Yes, I get it. It sometimes does so I created this Meal Planning guide to make life a little easier.
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Easy Pioneer Woman Ambrosia Salad
This easy Pioneer Woman Ambrosia Salad Recipe is the ultimate retro salad! Dating back to the turn of the century this dish is still a crowd-pleaser today.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Servings 6
Ingredients
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp sugar
- ½ cup sour cream
- 3 cups mini marshmallows
- 1 cup mandarin orange slices
- 1 cup pineapple tidbits
- 1 cup green grapes cut in half
- 1 cup sweetened coconut flakes
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup maraschino cherries drained
Instructions
Combine heavy cream and sugar in a mixing bowl and beat until stiff peaks form.
Add in the sour cream and mix until smooth.
Add in the mini marshmallows, mandarin oranges, pineapple tidbits, green grapes, coconut flakes, and pecans.
Mix everything together.
Refrigerate for 1 hour.
Add cherries, serve and enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
