Fluffy, creamy, and tropical — this ambrosia salad recipe is an easy fruit dessert that satisfies any sweet tooth craving. It’s an easy, make-ahead treat that can satisfy a large crowd or last you during the week. With just enough sweet ingredients paired with nutritious fruits, it’s both a mom and kid-approved recipe. 

Ambrosia salad is one of our favorite recipes to bring to holiday parties. 

Made with our secret ingredients, real whipping cream and fresh juicy grapes, your kids and guests will love this sweet salad. 

Ambrosia salad is sponsored by Sun World.

You’ll fall in love with this ambrosia salad recipe because it:

• Doesn’t require baking
• Can be made ahead of time
• Stores well
• Can feed a large group
• Uses real ingredients
• Is kid, family, and guest-approved
• Easily comes together in 15 minutes

When you’re running all over town from one holiday party to the next, this ambrosia salad recipe is a lifesaver — making it possible to bring something that checks all the boxes: easy, quick, affordable, and nutritious.

What Is Ambrosia?

Named after the food of the Greek and Roman gods, ambrosia was originally made with a sour cream base. In the early 1900s, marshmallow topping and whipped cream were added in. Since it used ingredients that were difficult to get, it was reserved for special occasions and holidays. 

We made this ambrosia salad recipe with heavy whipping cream, yogurt, green grapes, and shredded coconut for a bite of a tropical oasis during the busy holiday season. 

Simply whip the dairy products, fold in the fruit, let it chill, and you’ve got yourself a fresh, effortless dessert that is always a crowd-pleaser.

Ambrosia Salad Recipe Ingredients

Look for all of the ingredients for your ambrosia salad recipe at your local grocery store. You’ll find everything you need in the dairy, baking, canned fruit and produce sections at your local grocer.

Let’s start shopping. 

Dairy 

Instead of using Cool Whip, grab a carton of heavy whipping cream. This is the secret ingredient to making your ambrosia more fluffy, airy, and creamy than it’s ever tasted before — we guarantee it. Cool Whip is a synthetic whipped cream that’s made with water and vegetable oils. Heavy whipping cream is a real, thick cream that you whip with a mixer and add to your ambrosia recipe. You’ll notice the difference in taste and texture from the very first bite.

While you’re in the dairy section, get a tub of Greek yogurt. You only need half of a cup, but if you want a big tub, it works great in breakfast parfaits throughout the week or in dips. Greek yogurt is thick and tangy, so it pairs well with the sweet fruit and real whipped cream in this ambrosia salad recipe.

Fruit

Next, we’ll go to the produce section to find your AUTUMNCRISP® Grapes. Sun World has a variety of grapes, but we chose AUTUMNCRISP® for this recipe. They’re a premium quality berry that is exceptionally juicy and irresistibly crisp. You’ll find you and your family saying, “I’ve never tasted better!”

Let’s get your canned fruits. You’ll need mandarin oranges, pineapple tidbits, and maraschino cherries. The best thing about these ingredients? All you have to do is open the cans, drain them, and add them to your serving bowl — that’s it. The fruits add naturally sweet, tart, and tropical elements to this ambrosia salad recipe. The longer the flavors blend together, the better your recipe turns out.

Sweet Stuff

Since we’re in the holiday season, you probably already have granulated sugar in your kitchen, but go ahead and double-check. The sugar helps the whipping cream stiffen up quicker and keeps it firm and fluffy (the key to the ideal ambrosia salad texture). You don’t need to add much sugar, just one-quarter of a cup while you beat your heavy whipping cream. 

Look for mini marshmallows and shredded coconut in the baking aisle. The coconut gives it a subtle crunch amidst all the fluffiness of the marshmallows and whipped cream. Plain white marshmallows work fine, but it’s fun to add multicolored ones for an extra pop of color.

Alright, you’re all set to put everything together.

How to Make Ambrosia Salad

Step 1: Rinse your grapes under cool running water. Then, use a knife to cut your grapes in half and set them aside. 

Step 2: Pour your whipping cream into your stand mixer and beat with the whisk attachment on low speed for one to two minutes. As your mixer beats the whipping cream, slowly pour in your granulated sugar. Your whipping cream is all set when stiff peaks form and stay upright when you lift the whisk away from the mixture.

Step 3: Use a spatula to fold in the Greek yogurt. Slide your spatula under the whipping cream against the bottom of the bowl. Flip your wrist as you bring the spatula up against the side of the bowl — like you’re folding the whipping cream on top of the yogurt. Continue folding until the yogurt and whipping cream are combined. 

Step 4: Fold in the halved grapes to the whipped cream mixture with your spatula.

Step 5: Remove the lids of the canned oranges, pineapples, and maraschino cherries and drain. Then, add them to a serving bowl along with the mini marshmallows and shredded coconut. 

Step 6: Transfer the whipped cream mixture to the serving bowl with the canned fruit. Use your spatula to fold the whipping cream and fruits until combined.

Step 7: Chill for at least 30 minutes and up to a day in the fridge before serving. 

How to Select Grapes

AUTUMNCRISP® grapes put a lot of care into growing premium grapes for you and your family. They should have a green stem that’s easy to bend without breaking or snapping, and the grapes should be firmly attached. The grapes themselves are a light milky green color and should have smooth skin and withstand gentle pressure from your fingers when lightly squeezed.

How to Store Ambrosia Salad

This ambrosia salad recipe is best stored in an airtight container for up to five days. You can freeze ambrosia, but it’s not as good as when it’s made fresh. However, if you decide to freeze, serve it right out of the freezer like ice cream for a new tasty treat.

Why We Love Sun World

We’re happy to partner with Sun World because of their optimistic innovation in the world of produce. Although their number one priority is to improve the flavor, sustainability, and availability of your family’s favorite snack on the go, they carefully study and test early-age tech to transform the future of agriculture. 

Support their efforts for a sustainable future by looking for the AUTUMNCRISP® logo in the produce section for your ambrosia salad recipe.  

Sweet Salad Recipes

• Berry Fruit Salad — served in mini pumpkins
• Ice Cream Cone Fruit Salad — fresh fruit served in a cone
• Tropical Fruit Salad — tropical flavors dished out in an avocado
• Hazlenut Fruit Salad — crunchy, sweet, and fresh