Ambrosia salad is a traditional, old style dessert. My model is made even higher with home made whipped cream and colourful, fruity marshmallows for the very best style. Recipe features a how-to video!
A Higher Ambrosia Salad Recipe
Whereas dessert salads could also be much less standard than traditional potluck choices like macaroni salad or potato salad, ambrosia salad is one that can at all times have a spot on my picnic desk (and it deserves one at yours, too!). Made with a not-too-sweet, whipped cream base and bejeweled with loads of fruit and colourful marshmallows, this can be a gentle and refreshing dessert that’s excellent for summertime cookouts (or anytime).
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Made with out Cool Whip. In case you’ve had this salad up to now, chances are high it was made with Cool Whip. Positive, Cool Whip is straightforward and works in a pinch, however the style simply can’t evaluate to creating our personal home made, from-scratch whipped cream.
- Customise it to your liking; skip the coconut, add toasted nuts, swap the fruity marshmallows for normal, and so on. That is your ambrosia salad, so make it the way you prefer it!
- Nice for making prematurely! The flavour develops because it sits, so be happy to make this the evening earlier than you want it.
- Old style, however higher. We’re holding with custom with the whole lot however the Cool Whip base. This recipe appeals not simply to followers of retro desserts, however to everybody.
What You Want
You will notice a couple of further substances in my recipe since we’re making our personal whipped cream, however belief me on this. It’s value it!
- Heavy cream. Fairly than utilizing Cool Whip, we’re making our personal home made whipped cream at present. It not solely improves the flavour and texture of the “salad”, but it surely additionally solely takes 5 minutes to make. In case you’ve by no means made your individual earlier than, I’m fairly positive it will convert you (and open the doorways to so many extra recipes, like my Oreo pie and banana pudding).
- Bitter cream. The important thing position of this ingredient is so as to add depth of taste (it additionally makes such a distinction in my cheesecake, so don’t assume it’s only for savory dips and summer time salads). Bitter cream additionally retains the salad from being too candy.
- Fruit. Together with mandarin orange segments, sweetened shredded coconut, maraschino cherries (take away any stems) and pineapple tidbits. In case you can’t discover pineapple tidbits, the pineapple chunks can even work; simply reduce every bit in half so the pineapple doesn’t overwhelm issues. Alternatively you possibly can chop up your individual contemporary pineapple into small bite-sized items!
- Mini marshmallows. Common mini marshmallows will work simply wonderful, however I personally desire the fruit-flavored mini marshmallows on this recipe. They add such a pleasant pop of coloration and taste to the salad!
SAM’S TIP: You would additionally add nuts! Personally, I don’t take care of nuts in ambrosia salad, however in case you are a fan, then be happy so as to add ¾ cup of coarsely chopped nuts in with the marshmallows. You should utilize no matter type you want; almonds, pecans, or walnuts can be my solutions.
That is simply an outline of the substances I used and why. For the total recipe please scroll right down to the underside of the submit.
Tips on how to Make Ambrosia Salad
- Make a home made whipped cream by whipping the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract with an electrical mixer till thick and fluffy. It is best to have “stiff peaks”, which means that while you pull the beater straight out of the combination, the height that types ought to maintain straight and never fold over or dissolve again in on itself. And when you grasp stiff peaks, you’re able to sort out different recipes like my meringues and even macarons!
- Fold within the bitter cream. Be mild while you do that and use a spatula (relatively than a mixer); you don’t wish to deflate the air you simply frolicked whipping into the cream!
- Stir collectively the fruits, marshmallows, and nuts in a separate massive bowl till mixed.
- Fold the whipped cream into the fruit combination, then cowl and chill within the fridge for a minimum of an hour earlier than serving. I’m responsible of sampling issues instantly, however truthfully chilling helps the flavour develop.
SAM’S TIP: In case you wrestle with whipping cream to stiff peaks, attempt inserting your bowl and beaters within the fridge for 10-20 minutes beforehand. The chilly bowl and beaters will encourage the (chilly) cream to whip faster, and also you’ll be left with billowy, completely whipped cream.
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
Sure! For the very best taste and texture, I like to recommend making this salad 1-24 hours earlier than serving. Leftovers will preserve within the fridge for as much as 3 days (make sure that to retailer in an hermetic container). I don’t suggest freezing as the standard degrades when thawed.
They’re related, however not fairly the identical. Watergate salad (one other retro dessert) will get its taste from pistachio pudding combine, so it tastes fairly a bit totally different. Additionally, most recipes for watergate salad don’t embrace mandarin oranges or shredded coconut, and the cherries are normally only a garnish.
In case you’re on the lookout for a pistachio dessert, take a look at my pistachio cake (made with out the necessity for any pudding combine!).
You would, however I actually suggest making an attempt my model first. It’s so fast and simple to whip the cream your self, and the flavour is SO a lot better.
In case you do substitute, you’ll want to omit the powdered sugar and also you’ll want about 1 ½ cups of Cool Whip.
Take pleasure in!
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Ambrosia Salad
Servings: 10 servings
Energy: 301kcal
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Directions
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Mix heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a big bowl. Use an electrical mixer to beat till combination is thick, billowy, and the consistency of Cool Whip.
¾ cups (180 ml) heavy cream, ¼ cup (35 g) powdered sugar, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
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Use a spatula to fold in bitter cream till fully mixed.
½ cup (120 g) bitter cream
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In a separate bowl, stir collectively oranges, cherries, pineapple, coconut, and mini marshmallows.
11 oz (312 g) can mandarin oranges, 10 oz (¾ cup) maraschino cherries, 1 8 oz can pineapple tidbits, 1 ½ cups (120 g) sweetened shredded coconut, 4 cups (200 g) mini marshmallows
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Add whipped cream/bitter cream combination and stir till fully mixed.
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Cowl bowl and chill in fridge for a minimum of 1 hour earlier than serving.
Notes
Marshmallows
I like to make use of the rainbow/fruit flavored mini marshmallows for extra of a tropical taste, however traditional white mini marshmallows work simply wonderful, too!
Including nuts
Some folks like so as to add nuts to their ambrosia salad. ¾ cup of coarsely chopped nuts reminiscent of pecans or walnuts would make an awesome addition.
Storing
I like to recommend making Ambrosia Salad 1-24 hours earlier than you propose to serve, for greatest taste and texture. Nonetheless, Ambrosia Salad will preserve within the fridge for as much as 3 days (make sure that to retailer in an hermetic container). I don’t suggest freezing.
Diet
Serving: 1serving | Energy: 301kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 2g | Fats: 14g | Saturated Fats: 10g | Ldl cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 70mg | Potassium: 156mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 38g | Vitamin A: 769IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 1mg
Dietary data is predicated on third-party calculations and needs to be thought of an estimate solely. Precise dietary content material will differ primarily based upon manufacturers used, measuring strategies, cooking methodology, portion sizes, and extra.
I initially shared this recipe over on Actual Housemoms in 2019. The recipe stays the identical however I’ve up to date the pictures and added extra useful suggestions and notes!
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