Creamy Ambrosia Salad Recipe Easy 5-Ingredient Classic Fruit Salad Bliss
A nostalgic and creamy fruit salad made with just five simple ingredients, perfect for potlucks, holiday dinners, or a sweet treat any time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) fruit cocktail, drained
- 1 cup (50 g) mini marshmallows
- 1 cup (80 g) sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 cup (240 ml) sour cream
- ½ cup (75 g) maraschino cherries, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Drain the fruit cocktail in a colander over the sink for about 5 minutes to remove excess liquid.
- In a large mixing bowl, add 1 cup (240 ml) sour cream and stir lightly to smooth out any lumps.
- Add 1 cup (50 g) mini marshmallows and gently stir to combine with the sour cream.
- Fold in 1 cup (80 g) sweetened shredded coconut carefully to avoid crushing the marshmallows or fruit.
- Gently fold in the drained fruit cocktail, distributing the fruit evenly without breaking the pieces.
- If using, fold in ½ cup (75 g) chopped maraschino cherries last.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to let flavors meld and soften the marshmallows.
- Give the salad one last gentle stir before serving.
Notes
Drain the fruit cocktail thoroughly to avoid a watery salad. Use room temperature sour cream for easier mixing. Fold ingredients gently to keep marshmallows fluffy and fruit intact. Chilling the salad for at least 1 hour improves texture and flavor. For a lighter version, substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt. For dairy-free, use coconut yogurt and unsweetened shredded coconut.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About ½ cup (125 g)
- Calories: 150180
- Fat: 68
- Carbohydrates: 2530
- Fiber: 12
- Protein: 23
Keywords: Ambrosia salad, creamy fruit salad, easy fruit salad, 5-ingredient salad, classic Ambrosia, holiday salad, potluck recipe