Ambrosia salad is a basic, old school dessert. My model is made even higher with home made whipped cream and colourful, fruity marshmallows for the most effective style. Recipe features a how-to video!
A Higher Ambrosia Salad Recipe
Whereas dessert salads could also be much less typical than basic potluck choices like macaroni salad or potato salad, ambrosia salad is one that may all the time 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, it is a gentle and refreshing dessert that’s good for summertime cookouts (or anytime).
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Made with out Cool Whip. For those who’ve had this salad prior to now, chances are high it was made with Cool Whip. Positive, Cool Whip is simple 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 many others. That is your ambrosia salad, so make it the way you prefer it!
- Nice for making upfront! The flavour develops because it sits, so be at liberty to make this the night time earlier than you want it.
- Old style, however higher. We’re preserving with custom with every part 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 number of further components in my recipe since we’re making our personal whipped cream, however belief me on this. It’s value it!
- Heavy cream. Slightly than utilizing Cool Whip, we’re making our personal home made whipped cream at this time. It not solely improves the flavour and texture of the “salad”, nevertheless it additionally solely takes 5 minutes to make. For those who’ve by no means made your personal earlier than, I’m fairly certain 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 suppose it’s only for savory dips and summer season 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. For those who 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 personal recent pineapple into small bite-sized items!
- Mini marshmallows. Common mini marshmallows will work simply high-quality, however I personally choose the fruit-flavored mini marshmallows on this recipe. They add such a pleasant pop of shade and taste to the salad!
SAM’S TIP: You possibly can additionally add nuts! Personally, I don’t take care of nuts in ambrosia salad, however if you’re a fan, then be at liberty so as to add ¾ cup of coarsely chopped nuts in with the marshmallows. You should utilize no matter form you want; almonds, pecans, or walnuts could be my recommendations.
That is simply an outline of the components I used and why. For the total recipe please scroll all the way down to the underside of the publish.
How one can 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. You must have “stiff peaks”, which means that while you pull the beater straight out of the combination, the height that kinds ought to maintain straight and never fold over or dissolve again in on itself. And when you grasp stiff peaks, you’re able to deal with different recipes like my meringues and even macarons!
- Fold within the bitter cream. Be light while you do that and use a spatula (moderately than a mixer); you don’t wish to deflate the air you simply hung out whipping into the cream!
- Stir collectively the fruits, marshmallows, and nuts in a separate giant 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: For those who battle with whipping cream to stiff peaks, strive 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.
Continuously Requested Questions
Sure! For the most effective taste and texture, I like to recommend making this salad 1-24 hours earlier than serving. Leftovers will hold within the fridge for as much as 3 days (be sure that to retailer in an hermetic container). I don’t advocate 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 embody mandarin oranges or shredded coconut, and the cherries are often only a garnish.
For those who’re searching for a pistachio dessert, take a look at my pistachio cake (made with out the necessity for any pudding combine!).
You possibly can, however I actually advocate making an attempt my model first. It’s so fast and straightforward to whip the cream your self, and the flavour is SO a lot better.
For those who 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 utterly 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 utterly 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 basic white mini marshmallows work simply high-quality, too!
Including nuts
Some individuals like so as to add nuts to their ambrosia salad. ¾ cup of coarsely chopped nuts resembling pecans or walnuts would make an amazing addition.
Storing
I like to recommend making Ambrosia Salad 1-24 hours earlier than you plan to serve, for finest taste and texture. Nevertheless, Ambrosia Salad will hold within the fridge for as much as 3 days (be sure that to retailer in an hermetic container). I don’t advocate 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 info relies on third-party calculations and needs to be thought-about an estimate solely. Precise dietary content material will differ based mostly upon manufacturers used, measuring strategies, cooking technique, 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 ideas and notes!
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