Ambrosia Fruit Salad {A Southern Staple}

Fluffy Ambrosia Fruit Salad with pineapple, mandarin oranges, grapes, apples, toasted pecans, marshmallows and coconut folded into plain yogurt and whipped topping. 

Ambrosia is a staple at almost every holiday feast in the South. Well, at least it is in my house. When any holiday rolls around I always have a congealed Jell-O Salad or Ambrosia gracing my table, sometimes both. 

Are you familiar with Ambrosia Fruit Salad? If not it's just a simple mixture of fruit, coconut, nuts and cream. Primarily it's served in the South and everyone always has their own version. 

The basic ingredients are oranges, pineapple, coconut, mini marshmallows, pecans, maraschino cherries and cream. For me I've been know to add a few other fruits (apples, grapes and fresh strawberries) if I have them on hand.

I know that basic Ambrosia does not call for other fruits, but it's a nice addition especially if you have fruit that needs to used up. Some people don't add cream to ambrosia, but my favorite is the creamy version by far. 

In the south congealed Jello-O or fruit salads are a serious thing. You either love em or hate em. For me I love them all. A few of my favorites are Strawberry Jell-O Salad, Lime Congealed Salad, Pineapple Pretzel Salad, Peach Fluff and my favorite Easy Fruit Salad.

I'm always disappointed when I get to one of our family gathering and there isn't a congealed salad on the table. So, to solve that problem I usually just make one and bring it myself.

When making ambrosia you can use regular marshmallows or the mini colored ones. I love adding the colored marshmallows to my Easter Ambrosia, because it gives it such a nice color and flavor. 

Any way you choose to make it, it's so darn good. Most folks say this recipe is not Ambrosia, but more of a fruit salad. Click here for the definition of "Ambrosia" and the many variations it has listed.

Yield: 4-6

Author: Tina Butler | Mommy's Kitchen

Ambrosia Fruit Salad

Fluffy Ambrosia Fruit Salad with pineapple, mandarin oranges, grapes, apples, toasted pecans, marshmallows and coconut folded into plain yogurt and whipped topping.

Prep time: 15 MinInactive time: 2 HourTotal time: 2 H & 15 M

Ingredients

• 1 - 20 oz can pineapple chunks or tidbits, drained
• 1 - 11 oz can mandarin orange segments, drained or 2 cups fresh clementine segments
• 1/4 - cup maraschino cherries, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 - cup seedless green or red grapes, halved
• 1/2 - cup apples, chopped
• 1 - cup miniature regular of colored marshmallows
• 1 - cup sweetened flaked coconut, toasted, optional
• 1/3 - cup toasted pecan halves
• 1/4 - cup light sour cream or plain yogurt
• 1 - 8 oz container cool whip, whipped topping

Instructions

1. Drain pineapple and mandarin orange segments and set aside. If using fresh clementines, peel and break apart into segments.
2. In large bowl, combine pineapple, mandarin oranges or clementines, grapes, cherries, apples if using, marshmallows, coconut (if using) and pecans.
3. In a separate bowl using a whisk combine the Greek yogurt or sour cream and whipped topping.
4. Add the whipped cream mixture into the fruit and gently fold. Add mixture into a bowl and refrigerate, covered for 2 - 4 hours before serving.

Notes:

How to Toast Pecans: Place pecans in a microwave-safe dish. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 1 -2 minutes or until lightly toasted, stirring between each minute. Watch carefully to avoid burning the nuts. I always start out with a minute, because every one's microwave is different. 

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