Creamy Vintage Ambrosia Salad
A nostalgic and creamy ambrosia salad featuring fresh oranges, pineapple, toasted coconut, and a light whipped cream dressing. Perfect for cozy holiday tables and easy to prepare in under 20 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- Fresh oranges – peeled and segmented (Navel or Cara Cara oranges)
- Fresh pineapple – diced small
- Maraschino cherries – halved
- Mini marshmallows – about 1 cup
- Toasted shredded coconut – ½ cup
- Whipping cream – 1 cup, chilled
- Sour cream – ½ cup
- Powdered sugar – 2 tablespoons
- Vanilla extract – 1 teaspoon
- Miniature pecans or walnuts – ½ cup, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Toast the shredded coconut in a small skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly for 3–5 minutes until golden brown and fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Peel and segment the oranges, removing as much pith as possible. Dice the fresh pineapple into bite-sized pieces. Halve the maraschino cherries. Place all fruit in a large mixing bowl.
- In a separate chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then continue whipping until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold the sour cream into the whipped cream using a spatula until smooth but light.
- Add mini marshmallows, toasted coconut, and nuts (if using) to the fruit bowl. Pour the creamy dressing over the fruit and gently fold everything together until evenly coated.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
Notes
Use fresh fruit for best flavor and texture. Toast coconut carefully to avoid burning. Chill salad for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and marshmallows to soften. Store nuts and toasted coconut separately to maintain crunch if preparing ahead. For dairy-free version, substitute whipping cream with coconut cream and sour cream with coconut yogurt.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup per serv
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 50
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 2
Keywords: ambrosia salad, creamy salad, holiday dessert, vintage recipe, fruit salad, toasted coconut, easy dessert, holiday side dish