I think the ratio of fruits, mini marshmallows and Cool Whip is just perfect in this ambrosia salad recipe. I’ve tried adding some more Cool Whip but it seemed a little bit too fluffy for my taste. I like those crunchy bits of fruits in there – my son is crazy about the Maraschino cherries and he always tries to pick those from my portion, as well! Too bad I really love them, too!
The secret ingredient of this recipe is the shredded coconut! It is what makes the texture perfect – but of course, if you’re not a fan you could just omit the coconut.
Ingredients
Tropical fruit salad (Del Monte) 15 oz
Maraschino cherries (about 20)
8 oz can crushed pinapple
1 & 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut
2 cups mini marshmallows (kraft flavored funmallows)
1 tub of cool whip (8 oz)
Instructions:
Drain juice out of fruit salad and chop into bite sized pieces (I leave out – aka eat – a couple pieces of pineapple so it doesn’t overpower). Remove cherries from juice and pat dry on paper towels. Cut each cherry in half and add to fruit salad. Drain can of crushed pineapple and mix with fruit. Stir in coconut and then marshmallows. Fold in cool whip (I use fat free but any kind will work).