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Ambrosia

This Ambrosia recipe by Alton Brown presents a light and refreshing dessert. It combines freshly whipped cream with tangy sour cream, homemade mini marshmallows, bright clementine segments, and sweet pineapple chunks. Toasted pecans, grated coconut, and maraschino cherries complete the medley. All ingredients are gently folded together and chilled to allow the flavors to harmonize, resulting in a classic, delightful, and easy-to-prepare fruit salad dessert.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people
Calories 1693.1 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Stand Mixer with whisk attachment
  • 1 Large Mixing Bowl For combining all ingredients
  • 1 Rubber Spatula For gentle folding
  • 1 Chef's knife For fruit and pecan preparation
  • 1 Cutting Board

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 4 ounces sour cream
  • 6 ounces homemade mini marshmallows approximately 3 cups
  • 1 cup clementine orange segments approximately 6 clementines
  • 1 cup chopped fresh pineapple
  • 1 cup freshly grated coconut
  • 1 cup toasted chopped pecans
  • 1/2 cup drained maraschino cherries

Instructions
 

  • Place the cream and sugar into the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment and whip until stiff peaks are formed. Add the sour cream and whisk to combine. Add the marshmallows, orange, pineapple, coconut, pecans and cherries and stir to combine. Transfer to a glass serving bowl, cover and place in the refrigerator for 2 hours before serving.

Notes

For optimal whipping, ensure your heavy cream and the stand mixer bowl (and whisk attachment) are well-chilled before starting. Over-whipping the cream can lead to a grainy texture, so stop as soon as stiff peaks are formed. When incorporating the fruits, marshmallows, and nuts, use a gentle folding motion with a rubber spatula to preserve the airy texture of the whipped cream mixture. Toasting the pecans significantly enhances their flavor and adds a desirable textural contrast. While the recipe is straightforward, the two-hour chilling time is crucial; it allows the various flavors to meld beautifully and the marshmallows to soften slightly, creating a cohesive and delightful dessert.