fbpx

Easy Ambrosia Dessert Recipe With Cool Whip – 3 Quick Steps

Sharing is caring!

Last Updated on August 11, 2022

Our ambrosia dessert recipe with Cool Whip is a twist on the classic version. Ours is uber creamy, packed with flavor, and super quick to make!

You can truly get the best of both worlds! We’ve essentially only tweaked some basic ingredients to give the dessert a much creamier mouthfeel and a more balanced flavor. And what’s more, is that now you don’t have to waste time whipping cream!

Jump to Recipe

Traditional Ambrosia Salads

Ambrosia is a type of fruit salad that is extremely popular in the United States, especially in the southern areas. Ambrosia salads are often made in the traditional way. However, as with most dishes today, there are a ton of more modern variations.

Also commonly referred to as a “5 cup salad”, a classic recipe is made with pineapple, mandarin or oranges, miniature marshmallows, coconut, and a creamy dairy product. The ingredients are combined and allowed to rest in the fridge overnight. Or at the very least for a couple of hours. This allows the flavors to merge together.

The type of fruit used for ambrosia recipes is also important. Usually, it is made using canned fruit. This is because these ingredients are already softened and sweetened. All of this helps create a softer and more creamy dessert. However, you can also use fresh ripe fruits.

Other types of fruits that are often added to the recipe are cherries (usually maraschino cherries), sliced strawberries, bananas, or peeled grapes.

Then, there are also variations that include nuts like pecans or walnuts.

How far ahead can I make ambrosia salad

When it comes to the type of dairy that is used, the possibilities are almost endless. A pretty neutral recipe would probably use something like vanilla yogurt, pudding, or whipped cream. For a tangy addition, you could add plain yogurt or sour cream.

You can even make the recipes savory by using cottage cheese or mayonnaise. The sweetness of the fruits is balanced out nicely with these tart ingredients.

What is this ambrosia dessert recipe with cool whip?

The ambrosia dessert recipe with cool whip we have developed today isn’t completely traditional, but we haven’t strayed off too far. We love the original flavors of this dessert. However, most recipes aren’t creamy or rich enough.

For that reason, we added some Cool Whip whipped topping. This is a unique product that is referred to as imitation cream.

What makes it different from regular whipped cream is that it is a sweetened whipped topping with a much thicker and heavier consistency. In a lot of ways, and especially for this dessert, it is a much better choice.

It will add a rich luscious creaminess to your recipe than regular whipped cream will never be able to. Furthermore, it makes your life a lot easier as it takes away the need for whipping cream.

The only extra step that this ingredient adds is thawing. But, that’s only if you bought frozen whipped topping.

What You Need To Make Our Ambrosia Dessert Recipe With Cool Whip

Ingredients

  • 1 tub (8 ounces) Cool Whip Whipped topping, thawed
  • 3/4 cup vanilla double thick yogurt
  • 1 can of orange slices, drained
  • 1 can crushed pineapple, drained
  • 1 cup canned or maraschino cherries, drained
  • 1 cup mini marshmallows
  • 1 cup shredded coconut
  • 1/2 cup pecan nuts, toasted and chopped

Equipment

  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk or spoon
  • Rubber or silicon spatula
  • Plastic or saran wrap
 

Step by step instructions

Step 1: Make the cream base

Before starting this recipe, make sure that your whipped topping is properly thawed. Once thawed, add it to a large mixing bowl and add the vanilla yogurt too. Then, stir the ingredients together until you have a uniformly smooth and creamy mixture.

Step 2: Fold in the remaining ingredients

Once your creamy base is finished, you can gently add and fold in all of the remaining ingredients. Do not overmix it. Only keep folding the mixture until the ingredients are evenly distributed and just combined.

Step 3: Chill your ambrosia dessert

Finally, cover the surface of the ambrosia fruit salad with plastic or saran wrap. Then, rest it inside the fridge for at least 4 hours. But, your flavor will be a lot better if you leave it overnight.

Step 4: Garnish and serve

How do you make fruit with Cool Whip

If you would like to garnish this dessert, you can do so right before serving. You can either add some of each fruit, or just simple fresh mint leaves. It doesn’t have to be exceptionally fancy or decoratively placed. After all, this is a rustic and old-school dessert.

Expert Tips And Tricks

  • As we have mentioned before, you can use fresh fruit for this recipe instead of canned options. Many people prefer an unpreserved and unsweetened addition. But then you have to allow the mixture to rest in the fridge overnight. This is the only way the fruit will soften enough to have an appealing texture.
  • If you use canned fruit, make sure it is very well drained. If you don’t the syrup will ruin the creamy mixture and cause it to separate. This both looks and tastes awful!
  • If you want to make a vegetarian version of this dessert, you can use a plant-based whipped topping like this one. You will also need to substitute the yogurt and potentially the marshmallows. It depends on what type of vegetarian you are.
  • We often make this ambrosia dessert recipe with cool whip for parties. Usually, our recipe is made with all-white mini marshmallows. This gives it a more classic look and helps the colors of the fruit stand out. But, a fun twist, especially for kids or themed parties, is to add colored mini marshmallows. You can even buy fruit-flavored options too!
  • Ambrosia salad has a pretty good and stable shelf life. Especially if you use canned fruits. However, we would say that you shouldn’t keep it for longer than 3 days in the fridge. You should also always store it inside a clean stain and odor-free airtight container.

Preparations Times And Servings

Is there cottage cheese in ambrosia

Wrapping Things Up – Ambrosia Dessert Recipe With Cool Whip

As you can see, our version of an ambrosia dessert recipe with cool whip is just as easy as the original. The only difference is that ours is far more creamy! This is a fantastic quick dessert to make for birthday parties, date night dinners, or as a “treat yourself” recipe.

If you tried this recipe and loved it, let us know in the comments below. And, if you used some of our suggested variations, feel free to share them too!

FAQs

How do you make fruit with Cool Whip?

Fruit salads are extremely easy to make in general. Usually, you just add a creamy ingredient and give it a couple of stirs. But, with Cool Whip whipped topping, you will have to thaw it first. This can be done at room temperature quickly, or slowly in the fridge. Once thawed, whisk the topping a bit to give it a smooth creamy finish.

Is there cottage cheese in ambrosia?

Our ambrosia recipe doesn't contain any cottage cheese. However, there are many recipes that add cottage cheese for a rich and more savory flavor. It also adds a tart undertone that helps balance an often overly sweet dessert.

How far ahead can I make ambrosia salad?

We only recommend making ambrosia about 2 days in advance. It will last in the fridge for 3 days from the day you made it. Any longer than that and the fruits will start leeching moisture. This syrup will cause the dairy base to separate and become slimy.

What kind of nuts are in ambrosia?

Pecan nuts are the traditional type that is added to ambrosia. You won't see many recipes that use a different kind. But, you can add anything that you'd want to. We recommend using a similar type like walnuts.

Easy Ambrosia Dessert Recipe With Cool Whip - 3 Quick Steps

Our ambrosia dessert recipe with Cool Whip is a twist on the classic version. Ours is uber creamy, packed with flavor, and super quick to make! You can truly get the best of both worlds! We've essentially only tweaked some basic ingredients to give the dessert a much creamier mouthfeel and a more balanced flavor. And what's more, is that now you don't have to waste time whipping cream!
Prep Time5 minutes
Total Time5 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: ambrosia dessert recipe with cool whip, How do you make fruit with Cool Whip?, How far ahead can I make ambrosia salad?, Is there cottage cheese in ambrosia?, What kind of nuts are in ambrosia?
Servings: 6 people
Author: Cakedecorist

Equipment

  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk or spoon
  • Rubber or silicon spatula
  • Plastic or saran wrap

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tub, 8 ounces Cool Whip Whipped topping, thawed
  • 3/4 cup vanilla double thick yogurt
  • 1 can of orange slices, drained
  • 1 can crushed pineapple, drained
  • 1 cup canned or maraschino cherries, drained
  • 1 cup mini marshmallows
  • 1 cup shredded coconut
  • 1/2 cup pecan nuts, toasted and chopped

Instructions 

  • Make the cream base
    Before starting this recipe, make sure that your whipped topping is properly thawed. Once thawed, add it to a large mixing bowl and add the vanilla yogurt too. Then, stir the ingredients together until you have a uniformly smooth and creamy mixture.
    1 tub, 8 ounces Cool Whip Whipped topping, thawed, 3/4 cup vanilla double thick yogurt
  • Fold in the remaining ingredients
    Once your creamy base is finished, you can gently add and fold in all of the remaining ingredients. Do not overmix it. Only keep folding the mixture until the ingredients are evenly distributed and just combined.
    1 can of orange slices, drained, 1 can crushed pineapple, drained, 1 cup canned or maraschino cherries, drained, 1 cup mini marshmallows, 1 cup shredded coconut, 1/2 cup pecan nuts, toasted and chopped
  • Chill your ambrosia dessert
    Finally, cover the surface of the ambrosia fruit salad with plastic or saran wrap. Then, rest it inside the fridge for at least 4 hours. But, your flavor will be a lot better if you leave it overnight.
  • Garnish and serve
    If you would like to garnish this dessert, you can do so right before serving. You can either add some of each fruit, or just simple fresh mint leaves. It doesn't have to be exceptionally fancy or decoratively placed. After all, this is a rustic and old-school dessert.

Notes

As we have mentioned before, you can use fresh fruit for this recipe instead of canned options. Many people prefer an unpreserved and unsweetened addition. But then you have to allow the mixture to rest in the fridge overnight. This is the only way the fruit will soften enough to have an appealing texture.
Ambrosia salad has a pretty good and stable shelf life. Especially if you use canned fruits. However, we would say that you shouldn't keep it for longer than 3 days in the fridge. You should also always store it inside a clean stain and odor-free airtight container.
Want more recipes?Check out Our YouTube Channel!
Facebook Comments

Sharing is caring!

Do you like this article? Share with your friends on Facebook.