Elevated Ambrosia Salad Twist (Printable Version)

Mandarin oranges, toasted pecans, marshmallows, and bourbon cream come together in a refined Ambrosia.

# Needed Ingredients:

→ Fruit & Nuts

01 - 2 cups mandarin orange segments, drained if canned
02 - 1 cup pineapple tidbits, drained (optional)
03 - 3/4 cup toasted pecans, coarsely chopped
04 - 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut

→ Cream & Flavoring

05 - 1 cup heavy whipping cream
06 - 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
07 - 1 to 2 tablespoons bourbon, to taste
08 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Marshmallows

09 - 2 cups mini marshmallows

# Preparation Steps:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, gently combine mandarin orange segments, pineapple tidbits if using, toasted pecans, and shredded coconut.
02 - In a separate chilled bowl, beat heavy whipping cream with powdered sugar, bourbon, and vanilla extract until soft peaks form.
03 - Fold the whipped cream mixture gently into the fruit and nut blend until evenly coated.
04 - Fold mini marshmallows into the combined mixture carefully to integrate.
05 - Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow flavors to meld.
06 - Present chilled, optionally garnished with additional pecans or shredded coconut as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like dessert meets celebration without requiring any baking skills or temperamental techniques.
  • The bourbon whisper is elegant enough for dinner parties but easily adaptable if you're not serving alcohol.
  • Everything can be prepped ahead, leaving you free to enjoy guests instead of fussing in the kitchen.
02 -
  • Drained fruit is non-negotiable—soggy pooling at the bottom of the bowl will water down your whipped cream and ruin the whole affair.
  • Soft peaks, not stiff peaks—over-whipped cream turns grainy and loses that cloud-like texture that makes this dish special.
03 -
  • Make this the morning of your event and refrigerate it—ambrosia salad actually improves as it sits and the flavors get to know each other.
  • If you toast your own pecans, do it right before assembling so they're still warm; the aroma alone makes people think you've been cooking all day.
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