Ambrosia Nostalgic Creamy Fruit

# What You'll Need:

01 - 1 can (15 oz) pineapple chunks, drained

02 - 1 can (15 oz) mandarin oranges, drained

03 - 1 cup seedless red grapes, halved

04 - 1 cup maraschino cherries, halved and patted dry (optional)

05 - 1 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt

06 - 1 cup whipped topping, such as Cool Whip

07 - 1½ cups mini marshmallows

08 - 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut

09 - ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

01 - In a large bowl, mix the drained pineapple chunks, mandarin oranges, halved grapes, and maraschino cherries if using.

02 - Stir in the mini marshmallows, shredded coconut, and chopped nuts if included.

03 - Gently fold in the sour cream and whipped topping until all components are evenly coated.

04 - Cover the mixture and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow flavors to blend.

05 - Stir gently before serving. Present chilled.

01 -

It comes together in 15 minutes with zero cooking, perfect when you'd rather spend time with guests than hovering over a stove.
Something about the combination of textures—creamy, fruity, crunchy, sweet—makes everyone keep reaching back for another spoonful.
It actually tastes better the next day, which means you can make it ahead and have one less thing to worry about at the gathering.

02 -

Don't skip draining the fruit properly or you'll end up with a watery mess instead of a creamy salad—I made that mistake once and still think about it.
Pat those maraschino cherries dry with paper towels; it seems fussy but it genuinely changes the texture of the whole dish.
The longer this sits in the refrigerator, the better it becomes, so making it the night before is your secret weapon for an effortless party.

03 -

For a lighter version without sacrificing flavor, use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream and real whipped cream instead of the topping.
Toasting the coconut in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes before adding it brings out a nuttier, deeper sweetness that feels more sophisticated.