Heavenly Ambrosia Salad with Fruit Cocktail: A Classic Dessert Reinvented
Ambrosia salad. The name itself evokes images of the gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus, indulging in a dish of ethereal deliciousness. While our version might not be served on Mount Olympus, this ambrosia salad with fruit cocktail brings a taste of heaven to your table. It’s a classic dessert (or side dish, depending on your family traditions!) that’s incredibly easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. This recipe elevates the traditional ambrosia with fresh flavors and a creamy texture that’s simply irresistible.
## What is Ambrosia Salad?
At its heart, ambrosia salad is a fruit salad enriched with marshmallows, coconut, and a creamy dressing. The base typically includes canned fruit cocktail, mandarin oranges, and sometimes pineapple. The ‘ambrosia’ part refers to something exceptionally pleasing to taste or smell. It’s a dish that’s been around for generations, evolving over time with regional variations and family secrets. Some families add nuts (pecans are a favorite), others use sour cream or yogurt instead of whipped cream, and some even throw in Jell-O for an extra jiggly texture. But at its core, ambrosia salad is all about the sweet and creamy combination of fruits and marshmallows.
## Why This Recipe Works
This recipe takes the traditional ambrosia salad and enhances it with a few key additions and adjustments:
* **Fresh Fruit:** While canned fruit cocktail is a staple, adding fresh fruit like grapes and berries brightens the flavor and adds a delightful textural contrast.
* **Greek Yogurt:** Incorporating Greek yogurt into the dressing adds a tangy counterpoint to the sweetness and provides a richer, creamier texture than just using whipped cream.
* **Lemon Zest:** A touch of lemon zest brightens the flavors and prevents the salad from being overly sweet.
* **Toasted Coconut:** Toasting the coconut before adding it to the salad enhances its flavor and adds a subtle crunch.
## Ingredients You’ll Need
Before you begin, gather these ingredients:
* **1 (15-ounce) can fruit cocktail,** drained
* **1 (11-ounce) can mandarin oranges,** drained
* **1 cup miniature marshmallows** (colored or plain, your choice!)
* **1 cup sweetened shredded coconut**
* **1 cup green grapes,** halved
* **1 cup strawberries,** hulled and quartered (or halved if small)
* **1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt** (full-fat or low-fat)
* **1 cup heavy whipping cream**
* **1/4 cup powdered sugar**
* **1 teaspoon vanilla extract**
* **1/2 teaspoon lemon zest**
* **1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)** for garnish
## Equipment Needed
* Large mixing bowl
* Small bowl
* Whisk or electric mixer
* Rubber spatula
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Baking sheet (for toasting coconut, optional)
## Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these easy steps to create your heavenly ambrosia salad:
**1. Toast the Coconut (Optional but Recommended):**
* Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the shredded coconut in a thin, even layer on a baking sheet.
* Bake for 5-7 minutes, or until the coconut is lightly golden brown and fragrant. Watch it carefully, as it can burn quickly. Let the coconut cool completely before adding it to the salad. Alternatively, you can toast the coconut in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly, until golden brown.
**2. Prepare the Fruit:**
* Thoroughly drain the canned fruit cocktail and mandarin oranges. Excess liquid will make the salad soggy.
* Halve the grapes and quarter the strawberries. If using other fresh fruit, prepare it accordingly. Smaller pieces are easier to eat in the salad.
**3. Make the Creamy Dressing:**
* In a small bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon zest. Whisk until smooth and well combined. This mixture adds a tangy sweetness to the dressing.
* In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. You can use a whisk or an electric mixer. Be careful not to overwhip the cream, as it can turn into butter.
* Gently fold the whipped cream into the Greek yogurt mixture until just combined. Do not overmix, as this will deflate the whipped cream.
**4. Combine the Ingredients:**
* In the large mixing bowl, combine the drained fruit cocktail, mandarin oranges, marshmallows, toasted coconut (if using), grapes, and strawberries.
* Pour the creamy dressing over the fruit mixture. Gently fold everything together until the fruit is evenly coated with the dressing. Be careful not to overmix, as this can crush the fruit and make the salad mushy.
**5. Chill and Serve:**
* Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the salad to an airtight container. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and the salad to chill thoroughly. For best results, chill for 1-2 hours.
* Before serving, garnish with chopped pecans or walnuts, if desired. This adds a delightful crunch and visual appeal.
## Tips for the Best Ambrosia Salad
* **Drain the Canned Fruit Well:** This is crucial to prevent a soggy salad. Use a fine-mesh sieve to ensure all excess liquid is removed.
* **Don’t Overmix:** Overmixing can crush the fruit and deflate the whipped cream, resulting in a mushy and less appealing salad. Gently fold the ingredients together until just combined.
* **Chill Thoroughly:** Chilling the salad allows the flavors to meld together and the marshmallows to soften slightly, creating a more cohesive and delicious dish.
* **Adjust the Sweetness:** If you prefer a less sweet salad, reduce the amount of powdered sugar in the dressing. You can also use unsweetened shredded coconut.
* **Customize with Your Favorite Fruits:** Feel free to add other fruits like pineapple chunks, banana slices, or blueberries. Just be sure to adjust the amount of other ingredients accordingly.
* **Use Quality Ingredients:** The better the quality of your ingredients, the better the flavor of your salad. Use fresh, ripe fruit and high-quality whipped cream.
* **Make it Ahead:** Ambrosia salad can be made a day ahead of time. Just be sure to store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
## Variations and Additions
Ambrosia salad is a versatile dish that can be easily customized to your liking. Here are a few ideas for variations and additions:
* **Sour Cream Ambrosia:** Replace the Greek yogurt with sour cream for a tangier flavor.
* **Jell-O Ambrosia:** Add a box of your favorite flavor of Jell-O (dissolved according to package directions) to the salad for an extra jiggly texture.
* **Pistachio Ambrosia:** Add chopped pistachios for a salty and crunchy element.
* **Tropical Ambrosia:** Use tropical fruits like mango, papaya, and kiwi for a more exotic flavor.
* **Chocolate Ambrosia:** Add chocolate chips or chunks for a decadent twist.
* **Add different nuts:** Walnuts, almonds, or macadamia nuts are also delicious additions.
* **Use different extracts:** Almond extract or coconut extract can add a unique flavor profile.
## Serving Suggestions
Ambrosia salad is a versatile dish that can be served as a dessert, a side dish, or even a light lunch. Here are a few serving suggestions:
* **Serve it chilled:** Ambrosia salad is best served cold. Keep it refrigerated until ready to serve.
* **Serve it in individual bowls or cups:** This makes it easy for guests to serve themselves.
* **Serve it as part of a buffet:** Ambrosia salad is a great addition to any buffet or potluck.
* **Serve it with grilled meats:** The sweetness of the ambrosia salad complements savory grilled meats like chicken or pork.
* **Serve it as a topping for waffles or pancakes:** This is a fun and festive way to start the day.
* **Serve it as a filling for crepes:** This is a delicious and elegant dessert.
## Storage Instructions
Ambrosia salad should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 3 days. However, the longer it sits, the softer the marshmallows will become.
## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
* **Can I make ambrosia salad ahead of time?**
* Yes, ambrosia salad can be made a day ahead of time. Just be sure to store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
* **Can I freeze ambrosia salad?**
* Freezing is not recommended as it can change the texture of the fruit and marshmallows.
* **Can I use sugar-free marshmallows?**
* Yes, you can use sugar-free marshmallows to reduce the sugar content of the salad.
* **Can I use canned pineapple?**
* Yes, you can use canned pineapple chunks. Be sure to drain them well.
* **Is ambrosia salad gluten-free?**
* Yes, ambrosia salad is naturally gluten-free, as long as the ingredients used are gluten-free. Be sure to check the labels of the marshmallows and whipped cream.
* **Can I add different fruits?**
* Absolutely! This recipe is very forgiving and encourages customization. Things to keep in mind are the overall texture (too many soft fruits may become mushy), and flavor pairing.
## Recipe Card
**Heavenly Ambrosia Salad with Fruit Cocktail**
A classic dessert reinvented with fresh flavors and a creamy texture.
**Prep Time:** 15 minutes
**Chill Time:** 30 minutes (minimum)
**Total Time:** 45 minutes
**Servings:** 8-10
**Ingredients:**
* 1 (15-ounce) can fruit cocktail, drained
* 1 (11-ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
* 1 cup miniature marshmallows
* 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
* 1 cup green grapes, halved
* 1 cup strawberries, hulled and quartered
* 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
* 1 cup heavy whipping cream
* 1/4 cup powdered sugar
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
* 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
**Instructions:**
1. **(Optional) Toast the Coconut:** Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread coconut on a baking sheet and bake for 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool.
2. **Prepare the Fruit:** Drain canned fruit cocktail and mandarin oranges. Halve grapes and quarter strawberries.
3. **Make the Creamy Dressing:** In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon zest. In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold whipped cream into the Greek yogurt mixture.
4. **Combine the Ingredients:** In a large bowl, combine drained fruit cocktail, mandarin oranges, marshmallows, toasted coconut (if using), grapes, and strawberries. Pour dressing over fruit and gently fold until combined.
5. **Chill and Serve:** Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. Garnish with nuts, if desired.
**Notes:**
* Drain canned fruit well to prevent a soggy salad.
* Don’t overmix to avoid crushing the fruit.
* Adjust sweetness to taste.
## Conclusion
This ambrosia salad with fruit cocktail is a delightful and easy-to-make dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. With its creamy texture, sweet and tangy flavors, and customizable ingredients, it’s sure to be a hit with everyone. So, gather your ingredients, follow these simple steps, and prepare to indulge in a taste of heaven! Whether you stick to the classic recipe or experiment with your own variations, ambrosia salad is a timeless treat that’s sure to bring a smile to your face. Enjoy!