I love the tropical sweetness of this fluffy Ambrosia Salad, made with pineapple, mandarin oranges, yogurt, mini marshmallows, coconut and whipped cream. This easy side dish is always a crowd favorite! 

What’s not to love about fluffy desserts that can pass as a “salad” side dish, like this delicious cranberry fluff salad we serve at Thanksgiving and Christmas, or this “frog eye” acini de pepe fruit salad?

A large serving bowl filled with Ambrosia Fruit Salad.

I particularly love Ambrosia Salad around Easter time because the soft pastel colors remind me of the season. Many recipes for ambrosia salad use cool whip, but if you’ve followed my blog at all, you know I would never use cool whip when I could substitute fresh whipped cream. The taste is so much better!

I love the flavors from the sweetened whipped cream, coconut, yogurt and tropical fruits. And who can resist the colorful mini marshmallows? YUM! This salad is always a crowd pleaser.

The ingredients needed to make Ambrosia Salad, presented in separate bowls, with labels.

How to Make Ambrosia Salad:

  • Add whipping cream to a large bowl or stand mixer and beat with electric beaters for 1-2 minutes. 
  • Slowly add powdered sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form. Fold in yogurt. Fold in remaining ingredients (make sure the canned fruits are very well drained). 
Fresh whipped cream in a bowl next to another bowl with the ingredients for Ambrosia Fruit salad (marshmallows, shredded coconut, mandarin oranges, pineapple tidbits and maraschino cherries).
  • Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
A spatula mixing the ingredients for Ambrosia Salad.

Make Ahead Instructions:

Ambrosia Salad can be made several hours or up to 1 day ahead of time, but for best results, leave the marshmallows out and stir them in just before serving.

Consider trying these Fruit Salads:

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Recipe

A large serving bowl filled with Ambrosia Fruit Salad.
Prep 15 mins
Total 15 mins
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Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup plain or vanilla Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
  • 1 11- ounce can mandarin oranges , drained
  • 8 ounce can pineapple tidbits , drained
  • 1 cup Maraschino cherries , drained
  • 1 1/2 cups mini fruit-flavored marshmallows s
  • Other optional fruit salad add-ins: chopped pecans , sliced bananas, chopped apples

Instructions
 

  • Add whipping cream to a large bowl or stand mixer and beat with electric beaters for 1-2 minutes. Slowly add powdered sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form. Fold in yogurt.
    A mixing bowl with freshly whipped cream, and yogurt folded in.
  • Drain canned fruits very well, then add remaining ingredients to a large serving bowl.
    A bowl with drained mandarin oranges, pineapple tidbits, maraschino cherries, mini marshmallows and shredded coconut.
  • Fold in whipped cream mixture. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
    A spatula mixing the ingredients for Ambrosia Salad.

Notes

Make Ahead Instructions: Ambrosia Salad can be made several hours or up to 1 day ahead of time, but for best results, leave the marshmallows out and stir them in just before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 273kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 3gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 28mgPotassium: 213mgFiber: 3gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 745IUVitamin C: 14.7mgCalcium: 57mgIron: 0.5mg

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I originally shared this recipe March 2017. Updated March 2021.

Process photos by Nikole from The Travel Palate

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About The Author

Lauren Allen

Welcome! I’m Lauren, a mom of four and lover of good food. Here you’ll find easy recipes and weeknight meal ideas made with real ingredients, with step-by-step photos and videos.

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Comments

  1. You need to put the fruit and all the juices over the mini marshmallows. Then put that in the refrigerator for 24 hours. The salad is called 24 hour salad. Take that out of the refrigerator and fold in the whipped cream. Return to the refrigerator for a chill. Serve.

  2. 5 stars
    I loved this recipe growing up but have struggled to find a great recipe since I lost ours. I stumbled upon this one and it is a keeper for sure! Will be making regularly at holiday parties.

    1. We also made Ambrosia salad when I was young. We often used pineapple, and sour cream instead of whipped cream, while omitting the added sugar. It was sweet enough with the shredded coconut but we did add some juices from the canned fruit. It tastes better when it sits for a while to let those flavors blend. Give it a good stir and enjoy.