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Old Fashioned Ambrosia Salad with Cool Whip

This old-fashioned ambrosia salad with Cool Whip is a creamy, nostalgic dessert that’s the perfect little sweet treat to end a meal. It takes about 5 minutes to make and it’s a crowd-pleaser for holidays, potlucks, or a super fast weeknight dessert.

Need more crowd-pleasing salads? Don’t miss this patriotic fruit salad or this strawberry salad with poppyseed dressing!

Recipe Ingredients: Ambrosia Salad with Cool Whip

  • Mini marshmallows
  • Cool Whip
  • Sour cream
  • Maraschino cherries
  • Mandarin oranges
  • Pineapple
  • Flaked coconut (optional)

Ingredients needed to make Old fashioned ambrosia salad with Cool Whip .

Ingredient Notes, Substitutions & Additions

Marshmallows: If you can find the multi-colored, pastel mini marshmallows, it makes this dish so pretty (and perfect for spring and Easter!). If not, no worries. Regular white marshmallows work just fine.

Fruit: You can mix and match the fruit here! You can use fruit cocktail, chopped apples, bananas, diced peaches…sky’s the limit!

Sour Cream: You can substitute Greek yogurt.

Coconut: Totally optional, but I love the little crunch from toasted coconut. You can also add chopped nuts for crunch!

Expert Tips

  • Storage: Leftovers don’t store great because the Cool Whip starts to break down and it doesn’t look as pretty. But it will be fine for 2-3 days if stored in an airtight container.
  • Special occasions: If you are making this salad for a special occasion and want it to look pretty, make it the same day you serve it.
  • Chill: This salad is best if it’s chilled for 2-3 hours before serving.
Old fashioned ambrosia salad with Cool Whip in a little glass dish.

More Salads You’ll Love…

Strawberry salad with poppyseed dressing.
Strawberry Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
Berries and apples cut into stars to make a patriotic fruit salad.
Patriotic Fruit Salad
Watermelon salad with cucumber and mint on a white plate.
Watermelon, Cucumber and Feta Salad

Did you try this recipe?

Let us know your thoughts on this old-fashioned ambrosia salad with Cool Whip by leaving a star rating below or sharing it on Instagram!

Thank you! ~ Casey

Old Fashioned Ambrosia Salad with Cool Whip

Casey Rooney
This old-fashioned ambrosia salad with Cool Whip is a creamy, nostalgic dessert that’s the perfect little sweet treat to end a meal. It takes about 5 minutes to make and it's a crowd-pleaser for holidays, potlucks, or a super fast weeknight dessert.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Chilling Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Course Dessert, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8

Ingredients
  

  • 1 8 oz. container of Cool Whip, thawed
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 11 oz. can Mandarin oranges, drained well
  • 1 cup Maraschino cherries, drained well
  • 1 20 oz. can pineapple tidbits, drained well
  • 1-1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows I liked the colored ones if you can find them
  • 1/2 cup coconut flakes (optional).

Instructions
 

  • Combine: In a large bowl, combine Cool Whip and sour cream. Whisk until smooth.
  • Add: Add fruit, then gently fold in the marshmallows. Chill at least 2 hours before serving.
  • Optional: In a small pan over medium heat, toast the coconut flakes until golden brown. Sprinkle over the top for garnish.

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One Comment

  1. Casey Rooney says:

    5 stars
    This is my ASIAN (yes, ASIAN) grandmother’s recipe for Ambrosia salad lol! It’s been a staple in our family for years–everyone loves it!! XO ~ Casey

5 from 1 vote

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