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SOUTHERN AMBROSIA FRUIT SALAD (+Video)

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5 from 11 votes

Southern Ambrosia Salad is a must-have at any gathering. Whipped topping, pineapple, grapes, mandarin oranges, maraschino cherries and coconut flakes!

SOUTHERN AMBROSIA FRUIT SALAD

Fruit salads really signal the beginning of summer to me. I start making them a lot! Some of my favorites are this Ambrosia Fruit Salad, ORANGE CREAMSICLE FRUIT SALAD, ORANGE FLUFF, HONEY LIME FRUIT SALAD or even an ORANGE CHICKEN PASTA SALAD. It’s the best time of year for all of these salads that are perfect to take to a cookout. Folks always love when they see a good fruit salad sitting on the table!Southern Ambrosia Fruit Salad in a small blue bowl

DO YOU TASTE THE SOUR CREAM IN THIS?

The answer is no. You really don’t. It does cut the overall sweetness so you don’t break a tooth – ha. But you don’t taste it as a separate ingredient. And yes, you can leave the coconut flakes out if you absolutely can’t stand coconut.Ambrosia Fruit Salad recipe

VIDEO INCLUDED BELOW:

CAN I USE SUGAR FREE OPTIONS FOR THIS FRUIT SALAD?

There are natural sugars in the fruits themselves. However, if you want to cut the sugar then try to find the canned fruit that is packed in sugar-free juice. You can also buy sugar free whipped topping.

Southern Ambrosia Fruit Salad recipe from The Country Cook

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
whipped topping (Cool Whip)
sour cream
pineapple tidbits
1mandarin orange segments
red or green seedless grapes
sweetened coconut flakes
mini marshmallows
maraschino cherry halves
chopped pecanswhipped topping, coconut flakes, sour cream, pineapple tidbits, slice grapes, maraschino cherries, mandarin oranges

HOW TO MAKE AMBROSIA SALAD:

I like to cut the grapes and maraschino cherries in half. It makes everything bite-sized and easier to eat. But it’s totally optional if you are just trying to throw this together quickly. In a medium bowl, combine whipped topping and sour cream.stirring Cool Whip together with sour cream in a bowl
Add in coconut flakes and marshmallows and nuts (if using.)
chopped pecans and mini marshmallows added to sour cream and Cool Whip mixture
Then gently fold in pineapple, mandarin oranges, grapes and maraschino cherries.
fruit added to creamy mixture
Once combined, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about an hour.
ambrosia fruit salad covered with plastic wrap
Then dig in!
Creamy Ambrosia Fruit Salad with marshmallows
Enjoy!

 

Originally published: January 2012
Updated & republished: May 2019

Southern Ambrosia Fruit Salad

SOUTHERN AMBROSIA FRUIT SALAD

Southern Ambrosia Fruit Salad is a must-have at any gathering. Whipped topping, pineapple, grapes, mandarin oranges, maraschino cherries and coconut flakes!
5 from 11 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Ambrosia Salad, Fruit Salad
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 547kcal
Author: Brandie @ The Country Cook

Ingredients

  • 1 (8 oz) tub of whipped topping thawed
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 (20 oz) can pineapple tidbits, drained well
  • 1 (15 oz) can mandarin orange segments, drained well
  • 1 cup red or green seedless grapes, sliced in half
  • 1 1/2 cups sweetened coconut flakes
  • 1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows
  • 1 10 oz jar of maraschino cherry halves, drained very well
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, combine whipped topping and sour cream.
  • Add in coconut flakes and marshmallows.
  • Then gently fold in pineapple, mandarin oranges, grapes and maraschino cherries and nuts (if using).
  • Once combined, put some plastic wrap on it or put it in a bowl with a lid and refrigerate for about an hour before serving.

Video

Notes

You can easily switch out most of these ingredients for sugar-free options.

Nutrition

Calories: 547kcal | Carbohydrates: 81g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 133mg | Potassium: 498mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 68g | Vitamin A: 16.7% | Vitamin C: 35.1% | Calcium: 14.7% | Iron: 7.3%
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cindy says

    December 1, 2016 at 8:15 pm

    Been making this for years .. however , we call it overnight salad ., no coconut or nuts.. and instead of cool whip and sour cream I use 1/2 cup miracle whip folded into fresh whipped heavy whipping cream .. then fold fruit and marshmallows in and refrigerate overnight ..

    Reply

  5. Coda says

    March 27, 2017 at 7:20 pm


    I made this minus the nuts and I used fresh pineapple and mandarin oranges. It was SO delicuous! Making this for Easter too.

    Reply

  7. Lora says

    July 29, 2017 at 8:29 am


    I use instant vanilla pudding, buttermilk instead of sour cream & a can of fruit cocktail in mine instead of grapes. Fresh strawberries & or banannas is tasty too..strawberry jello is also an alternative. It also gives it a pretty color.

    Reply

  9. Meghan says

    April 10, 2019 at 4:43 pm


    I use sugar blended with heavy whipping cream. I prefer to only use mandarin oranges, pineapple, diced peaches, mini marshmallows, strawberries, and now that I saw maraschino cherries I’m gonna use those too!
    My grandma used to make the same thing, but she added green apples, bananas, and halved grapes and sliced almonds on top for color and decoration:)

    Reply

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