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big bowl of ambrosia salad and a small bowl of mini marshmallows

Vintage 1950s Ambrosia Salad Recipe

Tami McBride
Quick effortless crowd pleasing potluck recipe. Vintage 1950s ambrosia salad, perfect for every party, is made with canned fruit, marshmallows, coconut, and nuts (or not) in a creamy dressing.
4.59 from 24 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Course Salads and Power Bowls

Ingredients
  

Ambrosia Salad for a Crowd

  • 3 15 oz. cans of Dole Mandarin oranges, well-drained
  • 3 20 oz. cans Dole pineapple tidbits, well-drained
  • 3 16 oz. jars of Regal maraschino cherries, well-drained with stems removed, (cut in half if desired)
  • 3 cups of green grapes washed and cut in half
  • 4 ½ cups mini marshmallows or Jet-Puffed FunMallows
  • 1 ½ cups unsweetened coconut shredded
  • 1 cup walnuts tidbits or use pecans
  • 3 ¾ cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1 ½ cups sour cream
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar optional

Family-Size Ambrosia Salad

  • 1 15 oz. can of Dole Mandarin oranges, well-drained
  • 1 20 oz. can Dole pineapple tidbits, well-drained
  • 1 16 oz. jar of Regal maraschino cherries, well-drained with stems removed, (cut in half if desired)
  • 1 cup of green grapes washed and cut in half
  • 1 ½ cups mini marshmallows or Jet-Puffed FunMallows
  • ½ cup unsweetened coconut shredded
  • cup walnuts tidbits or use pecans
  • 1 ¼ cups heavy whipping cream
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1-2 tablespoons granulated sugar optional

Instructions
 

  • OPEN and DRAIN the cans of fruit. No need to rinse, but you do need to drain. If you have time, drain the fruit in a strainer for 30 minutes.
  • WASH the grapes and then CUT them in half.
  • REMOVE the maraschino cherry stems if they are still attached. CUT the cherries in half. Reserve a few whole cherries to place on top of the salad.
  • WHIP the heavy cream. Pour the heavy cream into a cold bowl and whip using a hand mixer with a wire whip attachment for 4 to 5 minutes, or until the cream is whipped to soft to medium peaks.
  • MEASURE the sour cream. MIX the whipped cream into the sour cream.
  • SWEETEN with sugar (optional).
  • STIR the mini marshmallows, shredded coconut, and nut tidbits into the whipped cream/sour cream mixture.
  • STIR in the pineapple, grapes, and cherries.
  • ADD the mandarin oranges and stir to combine. When you add the oranges last, they are less likely to break apart.
  • CHILL at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours before serving. This chilling blends the flavors, chills the fruit, and moistens the marshmallows and coconut. 
  • SERVE cold with a cherry on top.

Notes

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