Hamdi Saidani This Pioneer Woman Ambrosia Salad is a creamy and fruity recipe, which is made with mandarin oranges and pineapple tidbits. It’s the perfect holiday side dish, ready in about 8 hours and 15 minutes, including chilling time.
Pioneer Woman Ambrosia Salad Ingredients
- 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 (15-oz.) can mandarin oranges, drained
- 1 (20-oz.) can pineapple tidbits, drained
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 3/4 cup shredded sweetened coconut
- 8 maraschino cherries
- 1 pink grapefruit, peeled and cut into sections
- 1/3 cup toasted coconut chips
How To Make Pioneer Woman Ambrosia Salad
- Make the cream cheese base: In a mixing bowl, add the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Using an electric mixer, beat on medium speed until the mixture is completely smooth.
- Whip the cream: In a separate, clean mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream on medium speed for 1 to 2 minutes, until soft peaks form. Add the cream cheese mixture back to this bowl and continue whipping until stiff peaks form.
- Combine the salad: Gently fold the sour cream into the whipped cream mixture. Then, add the drained mandarin oranges, pineapple tidbits, mini marshmallows, and shredded coconut to the bowl. Gently fold everything together until just combined.
- Chill the salad: Transfer the mixture to a 2-quart casserole dish or serving bowl. Cover and let it sit in the refrigerator overnight, or for up to 24 hours.
- Garnish and serve: Just before serving, top the chilled salad with the maraschino cherries, grapefruit sections, and toasted coconut chips.
Recipe Tips
- Why let it sit overnight? Chilling the ambrosia salad for several hours or overnight is a crucial step. It allows the flavors to meld together and gives the marshmallows time to soften, creating the classic fluffy texture.
- Can I use fresh fruit instead of canned? Yes. You can use fresh, peeled and segmented mandarin oranges and fresh, diced pineapple. Just be sure to pat the fresh fruit dry to avoid making the salad watery.
- Can I add nuts? Absolutely. About ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts would be a delicious and traditional addition for some extra crunch.
- How to make it less sweet? For a less sweet version, you can use unsweetened shredded coconut instead of sweetened.
What To Serve With Ambrosia Salad
This is a classic holiday side dish that is a staple at family gatherings and potlucks. It’s typically served as part of a larger spread.
- Holiday Ham or Turkey
- As part of a brunch buffet
- Alongside other classic potluck salads
- As a light, sweet dessert
How To Store Ambrosia Salad
- Refrigerate: Store the ambrosia salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 days.
Ambrosia Salad Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Fat: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Protein: 4g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
What is ambrosia salad?
Ambrosia is a classic American fruit salad that typically includes canned or fresh fruit, miniature marshmallows, and coconut. Modern variations, like this one, often include a creamy dressing made with cream cheese, sour cream, or whipped topping.
Can I use different fruits?
Of course. While mandarin oranges and pineapple are traditional, you could also add sliced bananas, grapes, or a can of fruit cocktail to the mix.
Do I have to use sour cream?
The sour cream adds a lovely tangy flavor that balances the sweetness of the other ingredients. If you don’t have it, you can substitute it with an equal amount of plain Greek yogurt.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman 7 Layer Salad Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Ranch Salad Dressing Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Broccoli Salad Recipe
Pioneer Woman Ambrosia Salad Recipe
Description
A classic, creamy, and fruity salad with mandarin oranges, pineapple, and marshmallows, all folded into a rich cream cheese and whipped cream dressing.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream to soft peaks. Add the cream cheese mixture and whip to stiff peaks. Fold in the sour cream.
- Gently fold in the mandarin oranges, pineapple, marshmallows, and shredded coconut.
- Transfer to a serving dish, cover, and refrigerate overnight.
- Just before serving, top with the cherries, grapefruit, and coconut chips.
Notes
- u003cliu003eUsing room temperature cream cheese is the most important step for a smooth, lump-free dressing.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eDon’t overmix when folding in the fruit and marshmallows; you want to keep the mixture light and airy.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThis is the perfect make-ahead side dish for a holiday party or potluck.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eFor the best results, use full-fat cream cheese and sour cream.u003c/liu003e
