Coconut Ambrosia Salad

I've been making this recipe for well over thirty years, and it's still good.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 10

Total Time 1 10

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 12 people

Calories 2474.3 kcal

Equipment

1 Large Mixing Bowl
1 Rubber Spatula or Large Spoon
1 Can Opener
1 Fine-Mesh Sieve or Colander For thorough draining of fruits
1 Airtight Container or Serving Dish

Ingredients

Main

1 11 ounce can mandarin oranges, drained
1 8 ounce can crushed pineapple, drained
3 ½ cups frozen whipped topping thawed
2 cups shredded coconut
2 cups miniature marshmallows
½ cup milk
1 cup maraschino cherries

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine the oranges, pineapple, whipped topping, coconut, marshmallows and milk.
Mix together well and chill 1 hour before serving. Garnish with cherries.

Notes

1. **Proper Draining:** Ensure mandarin oranges and crushed pineapple are very thoroughly drained. Excess liquid will make the salad watery. A fine-mesh sieve with gentle pressure works best.2. **Chilling Time:** While the recipe suggests 1 hour, allowing the salad to chill for at least 2-4 hours, or even overnight, significantly enhances flavor melding and texture.3. **Whipped Topping:** For a less sweet and richer profile, consider using freshly whipped cream instead of frozen whipped topping.4. **Texture & Presentation:** Gently folding ingredients preserves the lightness of the whipped topping. Garnish with additional maraschino cherries and a light sprinkle of coconut for visual appeal just before serving.