For those who are blessed to have their parents and grandparents around, please take the time to video tape them. She uses tinned mandarins, tinned pineapple chunks, Pascalls marshmallows (australian brand of soft fluffy marshmallows) cut in half, desiccated coconut and sour cream instead of cool whip (we don’t have cool whip in Australia). How nice that you remember your grandma making this salad for you. Yes, this is how I remember it. If you make this recipe and love it, I would so appreciate it if you would take a moment to leave a rating below. Hoping this will work! Light up your space with candles and tealights. Just mix up the filling for a pie and bake it in a buttered casserole dish. My Grandmother has since had a stroke and her memory is not the greatest, I have tried getting the recipe from her and she only remembers bits and pieces. It’s one of the best ways to remember someone! It is a dairy free sour cream substitute that is made with soy, and I’ve used it successfully in other recipes. And if you opt for the combination of grapes, cream cheese, and sour cream, you’ll be close to making my easy grape salad! I made it two weekends ago and I love it as much as ever. His favorite, and he has forgotten it. I add sliced bananas and uncrushed pecans or walnuts or whateverer is available. Why is this called “Jello Fluff Salad”? Thanks for sharing! Everyone just loves hers, and she includes horseradish sauce! Thank you for helping me bring back these nice memories! This recipe was originally published on May 30, 2012. She might have used real whipping cream as I recall. I think of my “Granny” and “Grandma” almost daily and both sadly have been gone many years now. I would love to hear a response from anyone. One thing she discovered was she forgot her recipe for this salad! 1 cup each of crushed pineapple, mandarin segments, sour cream, marshmallows and flaked sweetened coconut. We do this all the time for dessert. Ambrosia is tremendously adaptable. Thankfully, I have many of her very old cookbooks and recipes. youtube. I always make rice krispie treats on my dessert list for holidays. Let’s move on.) So delicious! Mandarin oranges, pineapple tidbits, bananas, grapes, maraschino cherries and with or without nuts, ambrosia fruit salad has been a staple at nearly every social gathering you might attend. Must be a popular item among old ladies :) This ambrosia salad looks just like the one my gram made for us, great memories! Memories are such a precious gift!! My sister and I still love it but our husbands think it’s disgusting! We used sour cream in ours. Thanks! Being a Pittsburgh girl myself, we actually referred to this as ‘funeral salad.’ I never thought twice about it until I was older and asked my grandmother in front of family friends if she was going to make it. Will need to make this in honor of your Grandma. There are 2 things I do differently… 1 – I omit the coconut, only because I’m not a fan of ambrosia with coconut. except she uses those fruity/coloured mini-marshmallows. Ambrosia salad recipe with with cool whip, fruit and marshmallows is the perfect for your upcoming picnic. March 19 – National Chocolate Carmel Day. Oh, I like this, Nancy! Once combined I gently fold the oranges in as they can be fragile and break apart. Instead of the sweetened stuff. I love ambrosia. She taught me how and inspired me to love cooking and food! She always used the fruit flavoured (coloured) marshmallows and they gave the “salad” a more festive look. Thanks Kellie that is my missing ingredient I was missing I just remember 7 things and got everything except the sour cream. Grandmas (grams, nanas, gommies, & g-mas) make the world go round :) My Gram just passed this May 13 @ 104!! 1 small jar maraschino cherries, halved. Everyone, that doesn’t already know, always asks how I made that wonderful dressing. Directions Just tasting it brought tears to my eyes. Does any one know if ambrosia can be made without coconut. My grandma made is every year at Christmas. Although the pineapple is drained, it still has enough juice in the fruit to mix with the juice of the oranges. I mix jello cream cheese and pineapple all together.. add a bit of cool whip. This was so good and extremely easy! I remember her serving this as a part of the main course at meals and my kids loading their plates with it. March 18 – National Lacy Oatmeal Cookie Day. Thanks so much! I think my mom used sour cream, too, and mayonnaise? Thank you. I think the fresh whipped cream would be okay if you’re definitely going to eat it the same day. What a nice post Michelle. I’m in tears because this reminds me so much of myself, and how I wish I could pick up the phone and call my Grandpa to ask him baking related questions. Much obliged. Ours mainly used whatever was in the house too. Recipe: Bitter Greens Salad with Lemon and Pecorino Recipe. Holly is a wine and cheese lover, recipe creator, shopping enthusiast and self appointed foodie. So simple, yet so good. One thing that I find especially comforting is to think of the things you do in your life that reflect your grandparents. Ofcourse coconut, powered sugar and cherries were used, and it was a great and sweet dessert. I just lost my grandma last year, right before her 98th birthday. I guess it’s all about what you grew up with :). Delicious the next day when when the “Grape Nuts” softened. I pretty much remembered but ckd out your recipe again and wanted to let you know it was a big hit. Any my class hated it! The thing is, at that age you don’t even really know all the things you’d like to know. I lost all of my grandparents by the time I was 12, but I’m glad to have a few memories of them still. And I like how it changes it up when I add a can of fruit cocktail. As long as there are lots of maraschino cherries, I’m there. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Kid friendly with just the right amount of sweet, this is a classic recipe that will remind you of what grandma used to make! Vintage Ambrosia Salad Dessert Recipe. I’m going to make this after a 20-year hiatus and now back with my mother who doesn’t remember even having made it one time, and she made it a thousand! You can add the juice back, when needed. Place toppings in small containers with spoons next to the ambrosia bowl for serving. She never wrote it down, since she never guessed she’d forget it. I’ve had the same experience and still do on occasion. I’ve seen many versions while looking for this one. Use your family’s favorite fruits. Add grapes, banana slices, cherries and juice, and powdered sugar. Mahalo for posting this recipe. My mother made it – and I am 74. Please read my disclosure policy. Thanks for sharing. My two favorite summery fruit recipes!! 2 small cans mandarin oranges Sounds like nothing a foodie would whip up but it went great with ham. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight. But thank you for taking me back to family reunion potluck dinners. Sometimes the simplest of recipes become the most special. And sometimes coconut. Now I can make her some ;). But I love the easy measurements, makes it so easy to remember! Known in some circles as “fruit salad with marshmallows”, this easy five-ingredient dessert takes only five minutes to make, is super customizable, and perfect for serving a crowd. My mom has also been making Ambrosia since before I can remember (I was a kid in the 70s). My mom has a hand written version of this, except she threw in a small can of fruit cocktail and a little sour cream. Thanks for a neat post. I love ambrosia, so much! I'm Michelle and I believe anyone can learn to confidently make recipes worthy of celebration. My Mum always makes this at Christmas time as a side. I suppose the marshmallows would be considered processed, unless you make your own. This post may contain affiliate links. © SpendWithPennies.com. All my fruits in juice… no syrup (and NO coconut) ! If my husband is looking over my shoulder, we will be having it again very soon. I love old family recipes! That is so unbelievably heartbreaking about your father. I was searching the web for this exact recipe. Michele…being from Pittsburgh originally, I was drawn to your blog…and stayed because of your heart and talent. My grandparents have been gone for quite a few years now, however, that doesn’t stop me from asking questions or seeking their guidance. There are different versions, some with sour cream, some without, some with cream cheese, and so on. My hat is off to you! Top with maraschino cherries snd sweetened shredded coconut. It was served up routinely for Christmas and Easter, and pretty much non-stop during the summer. Y’all know how much I adore my old-fashioned potluck recipes! (Did anyone else’s grandma have can after can of fruit cocktail in the pantry? Ambrosia Salad is a great dish to whip up if you are short on time! Thanks for the recipe :) My grandmother always has cans of fruit cocktail in the pantry, it’s like a Grandma Requirement I think! That said, ambrosia is totally adaptable, and can include some combination of the following: Okay, we have the main ingredients above, but what holds it all together? I don’t have a positive memory. As a kid I remember watching her feel each and every orange and grapefruit with a smile on her face. 3 tbsp powdered sugar. I do the same thing. I think it’s even better once it has been chilled for a few hours, but you can also serve it immediately if you need to! You can unsubscribe anytime by clicking the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of emails you receive. FINALLY! My grandma always made a salad very similar to this every Thanksgiving. Would it be any different? I had to sift thru tons of pages to find a website that had it correctly and also included a photo. 1 cup grapes, green seedless Jackie Dodd That might work! be sure to drain pineapple. Your email address will not be published. Thanks for sharing! Memories are the basis of all loving thoughts. I can’t wait not only to make it but eat it too. Yes, yes, yes! (Sometimes it’s referred to as “Watergate Salad“). I know my Grandma would have loved this. It’s made the day before the function and sits in the refrigerator melding together. Thank you for sharing. :). The cooled mixture was then combined with the fruit cocktail and whipped cream was folded in. It is amazing how well this goes with turkey! 1/2 package mini marshmallows Surprise your husband with a batch! Mom or NeeNee would throw in some bananas sometimes. She was asked to bring it recently but couldn’t even remember how to begin. To make Ambrosia salad, carefully fold all the ingredients together. Thanks for a memory. We used with your recipe – except used sour cream. I know this as 5 cup salad. Kirsten Nunez How to Make Mini Christmas Tree Pizzas. She also made an “ambrosia salad” at Christmas but it had no sour cream or cool whip or binder of any kind. Times have certainly changed! Yep, my gram also had an endless supply of fruit cocktail in her cupboard. My Auntie J used to make this for me time to time as she knew I loved it. My Grsndma made a version of a creamy fruit salad I seem to recall…but it’s been so long I just remember seeing grapes in there and probably something creamy. Looking forward to your response. Ours is almost identical but we use chucked pineapple and add sour cream. Hi Rachel, I have never heard of “funeral salad”! It was just as you have showcased here with one small change. Generations will hear their voices. The texture of this salad is light and fluffy! It sounds so delicious! If its essential is there another option because I’m ellergic to coconut? Hebe, the daughter of Zeus and Hera, served the Gods Ambrosia and Nectar. He says it is cream. Is it a marshmallow salad or a fruit ambrosia? Have you ever heard it referred to as funeral salad?! 2 – I use all sour cream, instead of sour cream and cool whip. This is a potluck classic! I include maraschino cherries and use sour cream, not Cool Whip (like several others have said), and I use chunk pineapple, not crushed. March 14 – National Potato Chip Day. This is a really sweet post. I always put sour cream in this salad. More Easy Side Dishes: Summer wouldn’t be summer without easy sides you can serve along side this Snickers Apple Salad Recipe. Thank you so much for sharing, it sounds delicious! I think it would be entirely too sweet for me if I used cool whip! My mother made Ambrosia salad (with maraschino cherries added because everything is better with a cherry on top) for a class picnic when I was in the 4th grade and forever after that I was known as the girl with a chef mom. 1 cup grapes, red seedless I will have to try this and see if I can tweak it to what I remember. Ambrosia salad was a favorite of my grandmother’s and often on her table. Do you have to add the coconut? What a lovely post. Lovely story. I only recommend freezing ambrosia if you use all canned fruit and Cool Whip. Also, to cut down on the sweetness, I use unsweetened coconut. 1 cup each of crushed pineapple, mandarin segments, sour cream, marshmallows and flaked sweetened coconut. Toast walnuts: add walnuts into a skillet over medium heat and toast for 2-5 minutes or until fragrant, tossing occasionally.Remove from pan and let cool. I see why it kept popping up. Your email address will not be published. Content and photographs are copyright protected. There is certainly a piece of your grandmother in you, and you emulate her every time you recreate one of her recipes :). Sadly, I have no picture to share, because it was totally consumed! Check out Alton Brown’s recipe at http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/ambrosia-recipe/index.html. You could definitely use fresh oranges, pineapple, marshmallows, etc. I make an angel food cake, cut off the top, and make a well all around the inside of the cake (I use a bundt pan) . When I’m feeling quirky, I add some cinnamon and nutmeg. The “melted” marshmallows, combined with the whipped cream give you the texture of Coolwhip, without having said ingredient. We’d fight with my cousins over who got the maraschino cherries. My 91-year-old mother-in-law gets panicky if there’s no canned fruit in the pantry. But SO good. March 20 – National Ravioli Day. My mother-in-law made something similar but called it five cup salad. I enjoyed reading all about your grandma’s recipe and the variations. Flo. This is the best ambrosia salad recipe! We had it all the time. My greatest passion is creating in the kitchen and making deliciously comforting recipes! xo. Now that you mention it, my grandmother did have cans of fruit cocktail in the pantry, my mom did too but I never really did. Lime and Cherry or Strawberry are the best for this, but any flavor will do also place cool whip on top after it’s made. 3 C mini marshmellows 1 small jar maraschino cherries (including juice) The real deal for ambrosia salad. For example, my mother’s mother made “Nana cookies” the way yours made ambrosia, so I feel as if I am channeling her whenever I duplicate that recipe. I make mine with two packs of Jello, one can crushed pineapple, 2 packs of cream cheese, one large cool whip. One, my family always ate ambrosia salad at every special occasion when I was a kid. Hi Kathy, Yes, you could definitely double this recipe! It is a natural reflex to reach out to those that are gone. You'll need just four ingredients—oranges, confectioner's sugar, coconut, and orange juice—to create a fresh and delicious side dish. My mother who doesn’t like maraschino cherries said your recipe was her preference! I have made this for years and use Sour Cream instead of Cool Whip. This version is lovely. I use a can of mandarin oranges, a can of pineapple tidbits, maraschino cherries – sliced, and a package of small white marshmallows. This ambrosia salad is a perfect tribute to your grandmother! I remember this recipe well and could eat it right now. Nineteen is pretty young to lose your father. A cup of each…hence 5 cup…lol. Yes! How have I lived 32 years of marriage without remembering ambrosia? Thanks for the great recipe! We also had a cranberry Waldorf salad, the recipe of which I include here. Home > Recipes > Side Dishes > Ambrosia Salad. Some people even add in marshmallows, which adds even more to the fluffiness of this dish. In first grade we had to bring in a snack to share with our class, and I brought individual paper cups filled with it for everyone. It is true that the sour cream tones down the rot-your-teeth sweetness, and adds a little tangy surprise. Chill, preferably overnight which allows for the mallows to soak up any extra liquid. Grated fresh coconut and chopped pecans. It’s been a holiday staple my entire life and is always gobbled up at potlucks. You read the cliche a lot that is “made with love” but it’s so true. I lost my mom in January and also thought I lost some of her recipes that I was sure she never wrote down, specifically her potato salad that I always meant to ask her for. I love your grandma’s recipe. Oh my gosh this brings back memories! I just stumbled upon it and was shocked that it actually tasted the same with the measured quantities because I know she never measured anything for this recipe! I lost my grandmother a few years back but everytime my mom cooks something of hers,it brings me back to being small in my grandmothers house. Ahhh, what a wonderful recipe from your grandma and a wonderful post! Is it Whipped cream or Cream cheese? Elisa, why don’t you just make her pumpkin pie without the crust? Peel the citrus and cut fruit sections away from the segments between them. I made as written but only added coconut to three-fourths of the salad and left the other fourth without for my coconut disliking guys. I make something really similar every summer (about once a week, sometimes more). I seem to remember Dream Whip instead of Cool Whip and in warmer months leave the creamy part out altogether. Ambrosia Salad has been a staple on our Holiday dinner table for as long as I can remember. I’m so glad you have your grandmother’s recipe. My family called it honeymoon salad made with sour cream instead of cool whip and my mom always added a cup of chopped pecans because I always remember this being made along side lime jello with shaved carrots and pecans in it. Glad you were able to share a family recipe. I really related to this post for two reasons. Though I am in my 60’s, I still remember those times together with fondness. You wrote about wanting to ask your dad or grandma questions. She called it “Five Cup Salad” because it was one cup each of five ingredients. So easy to remember! 1/2 package coconut Maybe there are other ways to prepare Ambrosia! Her greatest passion is creating in the kitchen and making deliciously comforting recipes for the everyday home cook! It was very popular. We are from Georgia. I can’t ever remember a time before ambrosia. Armin was a bit skeptical when he asked what those tiny yellow cubes are and I told him they are cheese. Toppings – Sounds nasty to me! How to make Carrot Raisin Pineapple Salad It’s such an easy recipe to throw together and there no cooking involved so there’s not a whole lot to say about the preparation, but I will share just a couple of quick notes. Required fields are marked *. I could definitely relate to this post. In fact, my Grandma seemed to whip something up out of nowhere with whatever she had in her pantry. My mom was 82 when she died and her health wasn’t good, but it was still shocking to me when see died. The name wouldn’t be considered PC these days but this was about 50 yrs. 2 bananas, peeled and sliced crosswise My mom called it One Cup Salad, because you use one cup of each ingredient. Ambrosia Salad is filled with mandarin oranges, pineapple, maraschino cherries, coconut, and marshmallows and mixed in a fluffy cool whip! That is of course if our future families carry on our tradition. Just the fruit. My grandma always had it, in large quantities, and I remember eating it a lot when I was a kid.). I just have to listen for the answers. Toasting the coconut before adding to the salad really brings out the flavor of the coconut and adds a little crunch to this dessert! I LOVE ambrosia! The tinned fruit seems to have more ‘juice’ which soaks into the marshmallows. It continues to amaze me just how much a recipe can transport us to times in our lives we hold so precious. Can’t get a kid near grapefruit. I, too, have found myself thinking, we’ll have to ask Gram (although her hearing was pretty bad, so asking was difficult :) Same with looking at pictures – can’t ask anymore who those people were from back in 1940…. Grandmas have the best recipes!! The Ambrosia makes her so happy!! 15 years ago I married. I told you guys yesterday in the coconut macaroons post that I was in cookie mode and I wasn’t kidding. Drain all remaining fruits and pour into a large clear glass bowl. It was always a hit. Like fresh orange wedges, fresh pineapple, and maybe homemade whipped cream? I’d never buy it myself. Consider adding some banana slices just before serving or garnish the salad with mint leaves for a spectacular presentation. Is Ambrosia considered a dessert? And I totally can relate to Italian Grandmas – You eat a huge plate of food that can feed an entire family and she says “You didn’t eat nothin’!”. Loaded up with oranges, cherries, pineapple, and coconut- what’s not … Last year I saw your recipe and it looked to be the closest. She’s gone now as we lost her too soon but I pinned this so I can make it one day and think of all the great memories of her. Just scrolled through ALL of these replies, and didn’t see that anyone uses my friend’s secret ingredient for her Ambrosia. So no cupcakes, cake, etc. What is Ambrosia Salad? Hi Ana, I have never had this, but saw it mentioned above as well. I’m pretty sure that “back in the day” she used sour cream or something else because Cool Whip wasn’t available. Slowly stir in sour cream. Similar to Watergate Salad or Millionaire Cranberry Salad this dish is more dessert like than an actual “salad” as we would know it. My grandma also made it but she didn’t use cool whip, pudding, sour cream or anything. But that’s okay you need not respond. Great way to get kids to eat fruit! I miss my Nanny with all my heart, even though she never cooked, she worked outside the home, there were a few recipes she had that i adore just like you do. Both my mom and I love it and I’m a mom too. I made copies and sent them to my brothers so they could have them, too, even if they never made them. A good choice if you want less chemicals in your food. Subscribe to receive weekly recipes and get a FREE Bonus e-book: Quick & Easy Weeknight Meals! Your recipes have that special ingredient…loving family memories. Ambrosia Salad is a classic potluck dessert that your family will absolutely adore! Any way. My husband doesn’t like coconut. Ambrosia was always at our family dinners too. My dad made ambrosia, but he added “Grape Nuts” cereal to it. Great for celiac, allergy suffers. 1/2 C broken walnut meats facebook Fold in the whipped cream. She too was an Italian lady who made ambrosia for summer gatherings. At my house it was always called 5 cup salad. Peaches, huckleberries, melon, cantaloupe, or boysenberries taste yummy in this salad too. Thanks for the post. Mix all of the ingredients together except the canned mandarin oranges. I had read on other recipes (not on here) about a lady who liked the flavor of coconut but not the actual texture and she substituted coconut flavored yogurt/greek yogurt. Jackie Dodd How to Make Hot Chocolate Cocoa Bombs. Compared to things like cake and pie, ambrosia salad is a wonderfully fresh and light dessert. Your version sounds wonderful!!! Place the oranges, pineapple, coconut and marshmallows in a large bowl. I smile and tell them that it is a pint of sour cream. My step-grandmother’s recipe was called Moron Salad because it was a cup of each ingredient. However, Ambrosia Salad will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days (make sure to store in an airtight container). A very old recipe! She is still alive, but a year ago she fell and has a lot of memory problems now. So eat to read all of the Grandma stories. My mom/grandma’s version used sour cream rather than whipped topping, but I substitute that with plain Greek yogurt. Now, being a more health conscious grandma, my spin on this classic is to use organic vanilla yougurt…it is just as delicious! I remember having a version of this salad as a kid. The beauty of this five-ingredient, five-minute recipe is that you can mix it together the day before you need it and pop it in the refrigerator. I love it mostly though because I finally found a dessert that I could make for my Sister in-law who has Celiac Disease and can’t have any wheat products. Works like a charm. Coconut, marshmallows and sour cream. 1/4 tsp salt This ambrosia salad recipe is so versatile, you probably have all the ingredients in your pantry. It combines with the fruit juice to create a slightly sweet, rich sauce that coats every bite of the fruit. Nutritional values are based on one serving. what I wouldn’t give for just one more day with those in my life who have passed … it’s funny how the thoughts flood in when those people are gone, all the things you wish and want to know more about but never thought anything more about. and me too. March 15 – National Pears Helene Day. With a bright, tangy vinaigrette, it’s the perfect accompaniment to a main dish like grilled steak, fish, or chicken, or a beautiful starter salad. I think this may end up being dessert tonight. My mother-in-law made this all the time except she also added cottage cheese and a small box of orange jello powder. I have been craving Ambrosia for weeks now!!! All the discussion about it here is making me crave it even more! Traditionally ambrosia salad (also known as 5-Cup salad) contains coconut, pineapple and oranges but we add other goodies from time to time including … This has always been a favorite salad of mine. The top would then be totally covered with sweetened coconut flakes and decorated with more cherries. Hi Gee, You can omit the coconut if you wish. Our Grandmas were incredible women! my family makes something similar, but instead of cool whip( it seems so slimey and oily to me) we would use sour cream…and mix it all together and it adds a perfectly fresh sweetness. My mother passed away from leukemia when I was 9, and when I dug through a hope chest when I was older, I found lots of her handwritten recipes. Thanks for the memories! Haha! Add marshmallows and coconut. It was served as a refreshing salad with dinner, especially on the hot, SoCal summers. I just noticed that several people were asking how to make the ambrosia with out so much processed food. March 17 – National Green Beer Day. The advice you give about cherishing the moments you have is something we should all remember with regard to all of our loved ones. My mom and dad are Greek, and there isn’t a meal where my mom doesn’t make a TON of food and expect everyone to get third or fourth helpings!