This Easy and Healthy Ambrosia Salad is a twist on the classic. I am not sure how you feel about it, but I personally have always loved Ambrosia salad. It is a bit nostalgic for some reason? This cleaned up and healthier version is a much better option than the original though, let me tell you why.
Differences Between the Classic Ambrosia Salad and The Easy and Simple Ambrosia Salad
The classic is made with whip cream and sour cream. This lightened version is made with coconut milk and just a touch of heavy cream.
While the classic had tons of sugar in it, this one is sweetened with honey.
This version has all fresh fruits, where the older version had almost all canned fruits in heavy syrup.
This version uses unsweetened coconut, the classics was sweetened.
I just skipped the marshmallows in this recipe, they were always a little too sweet with all the canned fruits anyway.
Don’t worry though, even with all the changes I made, this salad is still so delicious! I think you will love how quick it is to prepare, how healthy it is, and the best part, how good it is!
Preparing the Ambrosia Salad
Start this salad by prepping all your fruits. I used fresh pineapple, apples, grapes, bananas, and mandarin oranges. You can use canned fruits if you prefer, but the fresh is so much healthier!
Coconut Cream
In place of heavy cream and sour cream, I used full fat coconut milk. If you have never used coconut milk for cream before, let me explain the process. Place the whole can in the fridge the night before, don’t open it, just put it in the fridge. The next day, when you open the can, the thick cream will be on top. Scoop this out, and place it in your bowl for mixing. I used a hand mixer, this is the new one I just bought and have loved, but you can also use a whisk or stand mixer if you prefer. I also added 2 tablespoons of heavy cream as I needed a little more cream for the salad. If you want a dairy-free version, stick to the coconut milk. After it comes to stiff peaks, mix in honey or maple syrup for sweetening. If you prefer, use powdered sugar. I will give those options below.
The Easy and Healthy Ambrosia Salad
That’s it. Now, mix it all together! I also used unsweetened coconut as well. So, just to refresh, we have all our cut-up fresh fruits, whipped coconut cream, walnuts, and coconut. Fold carefully with a rubber spatula, you don’t want to break up the fruits. I also toasted some coconut and sprinkled it on the top.
This simple to make salad is so delicious and the perfect snack, dessert, or side dish.
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Keyword ambrosia salad, fruit salad, healthy ambrosia salad
Prep Time 15minutes
Total Time 15minutes
Servings 4servings
Author Amy- A Red Spatula
Ingredients
4cupsassorted fresh fruitsI used mandarin oranges, bananas, apples, pineapple, and grapes
115 ouncecan full-fat coconut milkthis needs to be chilled overnight
2tablespoonsheavy creamThis isn't necessary, but I like it. If you are going for a dairy-free version, leave this out. The can of coconut milk will need to be chilled in the fridge overnight.
1/2teaspoonvanilla
1/4-1/2cupsweetenerYou can use honey or powdered sugar. Whichever you prefer
1/3cupchopped walnut
1/4cupunsweeetened coconut
1/3cupcrushed pineapple
Instructions
Add chopped fruits, walnuts and coconut to a medium-sized bowl. In another bowl add in your coconut cream. This will need to be from chilled coconut milk. Open the can and the cream will have separated itself and is at the top. It is thick and perfect. scoop this out and add it to your bowl with the 2 tablespoons of heavy cream and vanilla. Now, decide which sweetener you want to use. If you are using the powdered sugar, add it in now. If you are using honey, wait until late to add it in. Beat the coconut cream and heavy cream to soft peaks with a hand mixer on high or a whisk. Add in the crushed pineapple. If you are using honey, you will add it at this point. Mix well. Taste the cream. If you want it more sweet, add in more sweetener. Pour it over the the fruits and mix well with a rubber spatula. This salad is best eaten the day it is made, as it has the bananas in it. You can always eat it the next day, just know the bananas will be brown and a little mushy. Now, sit back and enjoy. You deserve it!
Made today for lunch! Mother always made for holiday times. Nancy and Lou been here for a week, going to George Town for Christmas with his 3 Grand children.
Merry Christmas to all the family. Jiggs doing well. Just spoiled!
Love, Margaret
admin
|
22nd Dec 20
It is such a great salad, isn’t it! I love these classics remade! Hope you guys have a Merry Christmas Margaret!
Margaret Higgs | 21st Dec 20
Made today for lunch! Mother always made for holiday times. Nancy and Lou been here for a week, going to George Town for Christmas with his 3 Grand children.
Merry Christmas to all the family. Jiggs doing well. Just spoiled!
Love, Margaret
admin | 22nd Dec 20
It is such a great salad, isn’t it! I love these classics remade! Hope you guys have a Merry Christmas Margaret!