A little bit sweet, a little bit tart, and a whole lot of easy – this Cranberry Ambrosia s one of our TOP holiday side dish recipes! Whip it up in just 5 minutes, let it chill, and serve. Everyone will be asking for the recipe as they come back for seconds!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Salad
- Festive Flavors – The tart cranberries shine in this ambrosia salad. You will love the tangy bites combined with the pecans and miniature marshmallows. It’s a holiday treat in one bowl!
- Nostalgic Delight – Ambrosia has been around a long time, and used to be a staple at every family gathering. This recipe has an updated take with fresh cranberries and a little less sweetness.
- Simple as Can Be – Don’t you love it when everything goes in one bowl with minimal prep and no cooking? Bringing an impressive and delicious side to a gathering has never been easier.
Cranberry Ambrosia Salad Recipe
Ambrosia is a time-honored favorite for holiday gatherings like Thanksgiving and Christmas and many families have their version they love. This Cranberry Ambrosia is going to be one of your new favorite holiday recipes! It’s our go-to extra touch for our Thanksgiving menu, a Christmas dinner side dish, or even a sweet dessert.
It’s made with juicy crushed pineapple, fluffy mini marshmallows, sweet coconut, crunchy pecans, and a tangy cranberry kick. Serve it as a side, salad (there’s fruit in, right?), or dessert, and your guests will absolutely love it!
RELATED: 27+ Easy Fall Desserts
Ingredients in Ambrosia Fruit Salad
This recipe calls for just 7 ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Cranberries – Fresh cranberries work best for the ambrosia salad. They have less moisture and a more tart flavor than frozen or canned. If you can’t find fresh cranberries, substitute with frozen cranberries but we suggest straining them once you’ve chopped them.
- Crushed Pineapple – Canned crushed pineapple is easy to find. It tends to be very juicy so use a slotted spoon when measuring it to avoid getting more juice than you need.
- Sugar – White sugar adds sweetness without masking any of the other flavors. Feel free to adjust the amount to your taste preferences.
- Mini Marshmallows – The mini marshmallows add texture and flavor and soften and begin to melt into the salad over time. They’re so good.
- Sweetened Coconut – The coconut gives the salad a thicker texture and adds a subtle taste and sweetness. If you’re not a fan of coconut feel free to leave it out.
- Sour Cream – Sour cream is the perfect pairing for the creaminess without additional sweetness and the tanginess works well with the cranberries.
- Pecans – Cranberries and pecans are a classic pair. Feel free to substitute with walnuts if you prefer them or leave the nuts out altogether.
How to Make Cranberry Ambrosia
This one-bowl wonder practically makes itself! Here’s how to make Cranberry Ambrosia in 3 easy steps:
- Add all of the ingredients to a medium bowl and fold everything well to combine everything.
- Cover the bowl tightly and place it in the fridge for at least 4 hours, but up to 24 hours before serving.
- Stir the mixture well and garnish with extra marshmallows or pecans if you want!
Enjoy this recipe with a Spiced Cranberry Gin Fizz!
FAQS
Rooted in Southern cuisine, ambrosia salad is a staple on holiday tables. It is basically a creamy fruit salad that can be served as a side dish or dessert.
Cover it very well or put it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. After that, it’s best to toss any remaining salad.
This recipe is a holiday twist! Traditional ambrosia highlights tropical fruits like mandarin oranges, pineapple, and cherries.
It’s best to keep this cranberry salad refrigerated, not frozen! The sour cream and marshmallows may become soggy in the thawing process, and it just doesn’t set up the same after being frozen.
Storing Ambrosia
Store Cranberry Ambrosia in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. The marshmallows will begin to dissolve over time and the cranberries will soften, so it’s best enjoyed the first few days!
Thanksgiving Sides & Desserts
- Thanksgiving Fruit Salad
- The Best Butterscotch Pecan Pie
- Sweet Potato Pie w/ Graham Cracker Crust
- Cream Cheese Fruit Dip
More Fruit Forward Recipes
- Baked Apple Croissant
- Berry Fruit Tart Recipe
- Peach Dessert Empanadas
- Blueberry Crumble Pie
- Lemon Chess Pie
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Cranberry Ambrosia
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup fresh cranberries finely chopped in a blender
- 1 cup crushed pineapple
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 1 cup sweetened coconut
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a medium bowl and stir well.
- Refrigerate the ambrosia salad, covered, for 4-24 hours before serving.
- Stir the salad well, and serve. Top with additional chopped pecans and marshmallows if you’d like!
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