Elevated Ambrosia Salad (Printable)

Mandarin oranges, toasted pecans, marshmallows, and bourbon whipped cream combined for a refined dessert.

# What you'll need:

→ 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

# Method:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, gently fold together mandarin orange segments, pineapple tidbits if using, toasted pecans, and shredded coconut.
02 - In a chilled medium 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 uniformly coated.
04 - Fold in mini marshmallows carefully to maintain fluffiness and even distribution.
05 - Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow flavors to meld and texture to set.
06 - Serve chilled, optionally garnished with additional toasted pecans or shredded coconut.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's deceptively simple to make—you're really just folding things together, no baking or complicated techniques required.
  • The bourbon-spiked whipped cream feels like a secret ingredient that elevates the whole dish from casual to special.
  • It actually gets better the longer it sits in the fridge, so you can make it hours ahead without stress.
02 -
  • Don't fold the cream in too vigorously or the whipped cream deflates and the whole thing becomes dense instead of fluffy and light.
  • The marshmallows added at the very end stay tender and distinct; if you add them earlier, they start absorbing cream and lose their character.
  • The bourbon tastes sharper when first mixed but mellows beautifully as it chills, so resist the urge to taste and adjust immediately.
03 -
  • Chill your mixing bowl before beating the cream—this one small step makes the difference between whipped cream that holds and whipped cream that breaks.
  • If you're making this ahead, add the marshmallows no more than a couple hours before serving so they stay fluffy and don't begin absorbing moisture from the cream.
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