Mom’s Best Ambrosia Salad

This is my Mom’s Best Ambrosia Salad! This recipe is super easy and just takes 5 minutes to make. You can even make this a day in advance and we love it for the holidays. It’s the best side dish and this is one vintage recipe that stands the test of time!

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This is a great potluck or picnic “salad” too! A tropical side dish that can even be served as a dessert. Light and refreshing it’s super easy to make, kids love to help make this easy dish!

You will need:

1 cup mini marshmallows

½ cup maraschino cherries

20 oz. can pineapple chunks, drained

14 oz. can mandarin oranges, drained

1 cup sweetened coconut flakes

½ cup sour cream

8 oz. Cool Whip, thawed

*optional – 1 banana, peeled and sliced added right before serving.

Directions for Super Easy Ambrosia Salad:

First cut cherries in half

Next combine the sour cream and thawed Cool Whip in a large bowl.

Now put the remaining ingredients in the bowl with the Cool Whip and sour cream mixture.

Fold everything together and either eat immediately or place in the refrigerator for an hour to set.

My mom would substitute a can drained fruit cocktail instead of the pineapple. She would also add grapes and bananas sometimes too! I love the addition of sliced bananas, but if you do add them do so right before serving so they don’t turn brown. Mom’s Best Ambrosia Salad is a budget-friendly retro recipe that everyone will love. You’ll be asked for this recipe over and over again!

Top with extra fruit and Cool whip. Great for potlucks in a big bowl, or in individual dishes for a holiday dinner or brunch!

I love these individual dishes – you can find them on Amazon here.

For more light and refreshing dessert “salads” like my Cottage Cheese Jello Salad, click here