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Easy Cool Whip Ambrosia Salad Recipe

Easy Cool Whip Ambrosia Salad

A creamy, fruity, no-cook salad made with Cool Whip, pineapple, mandarin oranges, marshmallows, coconut, cherries, and optional nuts. Chill it before serving for the best texture and flavor.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 minute
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 20-ounce can Crushed pineapple, very well drained
  • 1 15-ounce can Mandarin oranges, drained
  • 1 8-ounce container Cool Whip or other non-dairy whipped topping, thawed
  • 1 cup Miniature marshmallows
  • 1 cup Sweetened shredded coconut
  • 1/2 cup Maraschino cherries, drained and halved
Optional Ingredient
  • 1/2 cup Chopped pecans or walnuts

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Drain the crushed pineapple and mandarin oranges thoroughly. Press the pineapple in a fine-mesh strainer to remove as much liquid as possible, then drain and halve the cherries.
  2. Add the drained pineapple, mandarin oranges, marshmallows, coconut, cherries, and optional chopped nuts to a large mixing bowl.
  3. Gently fold in the thawed Cool Whip until the fruit and other ingredients are evenly coated. Do not stir vigorously, since rough mixing can break up the fruit and deflate the whipped topping.
  4. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or preferably overnight. Garnish with extra cherries, coconut, or pecans before serving if desired.

Notes

Exceptional draining is the key to a thick salad, especially with crushed pineapple. If preparing the salad more than a few hours ahead, add the nuts shortly before serving for the best crunch. For a tangier, less-sweet variation, fold in 1/2 to 1 cup sour cream; a commonly used version combines 8 ounces of sour cream with the 8-ounce container of Cool Whip.