Ambrosia Salad Recipe - Carlsbad Cravings

Fluffier than a cloud and sweeter than nostalgia, this Ambrosia Salad is the ultimate creamy, dreamy twist on a classic! Expert techniques and a luscious piña colada dressing of homemade whipped cream, cream of coconut (GAME CHANGER), vanilla yogurt, and pineapple juice make it the light, irresistible potluck hero!

top view of ambrosia salad being served in a bowl with mandarin oranges, maraschino cherries, pineapple tidbits, grapes, marshmallows and coconut

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Why you’ll love this Ambrosia Salad

Pina colada twist: The dressing is next-level thanks to homemade whipped cream combined with cream of coconut, pineapple juice, and vanilla Greek yogurt-you will be obsessed!
Whipped just right: Homemade whipped cream is folded gently into the dressing for a fluffy, airy texture that doesn’t taste artificial like store-bought toppings.
Expert techniques: Carefully draining and drying the fruit, whipping to stiff peaks, and folding in ingredients keep the salad fluffy and creamy, never runny.
Make-ahead friendly: Prep in advance for stress-free entertaining or holiday gatherings.
Customizable: Swap fruits, add nuts, or toast the coconut for extra texture and flavor—variations included below!

What is Ambrosia Salad?

When I think of ambrosia fruit salad, I always hear that line from Edward Scissorhands: “And I’ll bring the ambrosia salad!” 😉 Ambrosia salad is a sweet, fluffy, fruit-filled classic that’s part dessert, part side dish—and always a crowd favorite! It’s typically made with mandarin oranges, pineapple, coconut, and mini marshmallows, folded into a creamy base such as whipped cream, Cool Whip, or sour cream.

FUN HISTORY!
Ambrosia salad appears in late-1800s cookbooks, especially in the American South. Early versions were much simpler, often just oranges, coconut, and sugar.

It later gained widespread popularity through mid-20th-century magazines and community cookbooks, especially in the 1950s–60s, when convenience ingredients helped turn it into the creamy, fluffy version we know today.

ambrosia fruit salad recipe in a bowl topped with cherries

Ambrosia Salad Recipe Ingredients

Let’s take a closer look at what you need to make this recipe (measurements in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

FOR THE SALAD:

Mandarin oranges: Add juicy sweetness and bright citrus flavor. Look for ones packed in juice, not syrup.
Pineapple tidbits: Make sure they’re packed in juice because we’re going to reserve it and use a couple of tablespoons in the dressing.
Maraschino cherries: Remove stems, quarter, rinse, and dry to reduce excess syrup and prevent red streaks.
Green grapes: Halve for easy eating. I don’t recommend red because they can be a little sweeter, which throws off the balance.
Mini marshmallows: Use rainbow or white for soft, pillowy sweetness and signature “fluff.”
Sweetened coconut flakes: Add chewy texture and tropical flavor; toast lightly for extra depth, if desired.

top view of ambrosia salad recipe ingredients: maraschino cherries, pineapple tidbits, mandarin oranges, grapes, marshmallows, shredded coconut, heavy cream, vanilla yogurt, lemon zest, cream of coconut

For the DRESSING:

Heavy cream: Keep the cream cold until ready to use to help the whipped cream whip up faster and stay fluffy.
Cream of coconut: Use sweetened cream of coconut, such as Coco Reàl (recommended) or Coco López, NOT coconut milk. Cream of coconut is a thick, rich, syrupy, and intensely coconut-forward.
Where can I find it? You can find it in the cocktail or mixer aisle (near piña colada mix), in the international or Latin foods section, or sometimes near the canned coconut milk. You can also purchase it on Amazon HERE.
Vanilla Greek yogurt: Adds tang and creaminess; full-fat yields the best fluffiness.
Lemon zest: Brightens the dressing and keeps it from tasting overly sweet.
Vanilla extract: Use quality, real extract for the best flavor.

How to MAke Ambrosia Salad

Let’s take a closer look at how to make this recipe with step-by-step photos (full recipe in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

Step 1: Make the Dressing. Add the heavy cream, cream of coconut, pineapple juice, vanilla extract, and salt to a large mixing bowl. Beat with a handheld mixer until stiff peaks form (the cream holds its shape when the whisks are removed). Gently fold in the Greek yogurt and lemon zest.

showing how to make ambrosia salad by whipping the heavy cream, cream of coconut, vanilla extract to stiff peaks then folding in the lemon zest

Step 2: Combine Ingredients. To the same bowl, add all the salad ingredients except for the mandarin oranges, and fold to combine. Then, fold in the oranges.

showing how to make ambrosia salad recipe by folding the fruit, marshmallows, and coconut with the dressing

Step 3: Chill. Cover and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes before serving.

showing how to make ambrosia salad recipe by chilling the ambrosia salad in the fridge

Ambrosia Fruit Salad Recipe TIPS

Drain fruit thoroughly: THIS IS NUMBER ONE! Excess liquid will make the salad watery and deflate the whipped cream. Pat all the fruit very dry!
Whip to stiff peaks: Beat the cream until thick and firm; when you lift the whisk, peaks stand straight up and hold their shape without collapsing.
Fold gently: Use a spatula and fold—not stir—to keep the mixture light and airy.
Serve the same day (best): Homemade whipped cream is freshest within 24 hours.
Stir lightly before serving: If any liquid settles, gently fold to refresh the texture.

up close of easy ambrosia salad showing how creamy and fluffy the dressing is

Easy Ambrosia Salad variations

Here are delicious Ambrosia Salad variations to mix things up and keep it exciting:

Classic Ambrosia: Skip the coconut cream and replace it with ¼ cup powdered sugar.
Nutty Ambrosia: Stir in pecans, walnuts, or sliced almonds for crunch.
Old-Fashioned: Swap the homemade whipped cream for sour cream or a mayo/sour cream blend.
Cream Cheese Ambrosia: Add softened cream cheese for a thicker, cheesecake-like texture.
Tropical Ambrosia: Add mango, kiwi, bananas, and toasted coconut for island vibes.
Berry Ambrosia: Mix in strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries for a fresh, summery version.

showing how to serve ambrosia salad recipe in glasses

What goes well with the Best Ambrosia Salad Recipe?

Ambrosia Fruit Salad pairs well with Holiday meals (Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas) and grilled proteins from potlucks and summer BBQs. Here are a few of our favorites:

Holiday mains! Beef tenderloin, roast turkey, roast turkey breast, glazed ham, honey baked ham, etc.
Grilled chicken: Marinated chicken, buffalo chicken, Greek chicken, chipotle chicken
Grilled steaks: Marinated flank steak, carne asada, tomahawk steaks, grilled sirloin steak
Grilled seafood: Grilled shrimp, grilled salmon, cedar plank salmon, grilled salmon in foil
Burgers: Cheeseburgers, best burgers recipe, turkey burgers, BBQ burgers

Can I make Easy Ambrosia Salad Recipe ahead of time?

Yes! Ambrosia Salad is best made at least 2–4 hours ahead so the flavors can meld. It can be made up to 24 hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator.

How long does Ambrosia Salad last in the fridge?

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. Stir before serving, as the dressing may loosen over time.

Ambrosia Salad FAQs

Why is it called Ambrosia Salad?

“Ambrosia” comes from Greek mythology, meaning “food of the gods.” The name reflects the salad’s sweet, light, and indulgent flavo

What are the traditional ingredients in Ambrosia Salad?

Classic Ambrosia Salad includes:

•Mandarin oranges
•Pineapple
•Sweetened coconut
•Mini marshmallows
•Whipped topping or sour cream

Many variations add cherries, nuts, or yogurt

Can you freeze Ambrosia Salad?

Freezing is not recommended. The creamy base and fruit release water when thawed, resulting in a watery, separated texture.

How do you keep Ambrosia Salad from getting watery?

•Drain canned fruit thoroughly
•Pat fruit dry if needed
•Fold gently to avoid breaking fruit
•Chill before serving to help it set

What’s the difference between Ambrosia Salad and fruit salad?

Ambrosia Salad has a creamy, sweet dressing and often includes marshmallows and coconut, while fruit salad is typically just fresh fruit without a creamy base.

Can I make Ambrosia Salad healthier?

Yes! You can:

•Use Greek yogurt instead of whipped topping
•Reduce or omit marshmallows
•Use fresh fruit instead of canned
•Choose unsweetened coconut

up close of ambrosia fruit salad in a glass dish

Looking for more Fruit Salad Recipes?

Perfect Fruit Salad
Pina Colada Fruit Salad
Berry Salad
Watermelon Salad
Summer Fruit Salad
Winter Fruit Salad
Tropical Fruit Salad

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Servings: -8 servings

Prep Time: 30

Chilling 30

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Ingredients

1 11-oz. can mandarin oranges, drained & patted very dry
1/2 cup maraschino cherries, stems removed, quartered, rinsed, and patted very dry
1 cup pineapple tidbits packed in juice (NOT syrup), drained (reserve juice) and patted very dry
1 cup seedless green grapes, halved
2 cups miniature marshmallows (white or rainbow)
1 cup sweetened coconut flakes

Creamy Coconut Dressing

1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup cream of coconut NOT coconut cream- see Notes (may sub ¼ cup powdered sugar)
2 tablespoons pineapple juice (from above can of tidbits)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup full fat vanilla Greek yogurt
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest

Instructions

Dry Fruit: Drain AND PAT DRY all the canned fruits (reserve pineapple juice), then set aside.
Make Dressing: Add the heavy cream, cream of coconut, pineapple juice, vanilla extract, and salt to a large mixing bowl. Beat with a handheld mixer until stiff peaks form (the cream holds its shape when the whisks are removed). Gently fold in the Greek yogurt and lemon zest to avoid deflating the dressing.
Combine Ingredients: To the same bowl with the dressing, add all the salad ingredients except for the mandarin oranges, and fold to combine. Then, fold in the oranges.
Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30-60 minutes before serving.
Serving Timeline: Ambrosia Salad is at its peak freshness after chilling for 1–4 hours, once the flavors have melded and the dressing has set into a light, creamy consistency. It’s best enjoyed the same day it’s made, especially when using homemade whipped cream, while it’s still fluffy and fresh.

Notes

Cream of coconut: Use sweetened cream of coconut, such as Coco Reàl (recommended) or Coco López, NOT coconut milk. Cream of coconut is a thick, rich, syrupy, and intensely coconut-forward.

Where can I find it? You can find it in the cocktail or mixer aisle (near piña colada mix), in the international or Latin foods section, or sometimes near the canned coconut milk. You can also purchase it on Amazon HERE.