24 Hour Fruit Salad, among some of the most popular traditional Christmas dishes in the south, is often called Ambrosia.
Everyone has their twist on this Classic 24 Hour Fruit Salad. I have seen this recipe made in so many different ways and with so many different ingredients.
In the south, we call it ambrosia. I remember growing up in the '60s. This was my Father's favorite. My Mother served this salad every Thanksgiving and Christmas, and I have carried out the tradition.
In the south, we call it ambrosia. I remember growing up in the '60s. This was my Father's favorite. My Mother served this salad every Thanksgiving and Christmas, and I have carried out the tradition.
My Mother's recipe called for a homemade whip cream dressing using eggs, sugar, and whipped cream, but over the years, she modified it to just whipped cream and occasionally added sour cream.
My family prefers sweetened whipped cream. Her recipe called for canned fruit with marshmallows, coconut, and chopped pecans.
We still use the canned fruit in ours and the marshmallows and coconut, but no pecans. I added a jar of maraschino cherries this year, and they were a big hit.
The grandchildren love to see how many they can get in their serving. Got to love them :)
Like the name says, you make this fruit salad twenty-four hours ahead of serving it. The main little tidbit I can give you is to drain all the fruit really well.
I let mine sit in a colander for about an hour or so just to let the fruit dry out a little. This way, when you mix it all up, it is not so soupy, and it will stay creamy a lot longer in the refrigerator.
That is if you get to keep it in the fridge.
This salad is so versatile that people serve it as a salad. or a dessert. In fact, many times, this is the way my husband likes it.
The original recipe calls for canned fruit, but you can easily substitute fresh fruit instead, and we do on occasion.
Canned or fresh fruit, you cannot go wrong with this luscious salad. Give it a try. You are going to love it!
24 Hour Fruit Salad
Ingredients:
Directions:- 20 oz. canned pineapple chunks, drained
- 15 oz. canned fruit cocktail, drained
- 15 oz. canned mandarin oranges, drained
- 15 oz canned diced peaches, drained (my addition)
- 16 oz. jar maraschino cherries, drained (my addition)
- 1 1/2 cups sweetened coconut
- 1 cup pecans, chopped (optional)
- 1 cup sour cream (optional)
- 10 oz. bag miniature marshmallows
- 2 cups sweetened whipped cream
In a larger bowl, combine the fruit, coconut, and pecans with sour cream. Fold in marshmallows and sweetened whipped cream. Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours.
Note: You can leave the sour cream off and add more whipped cream. Be sure and drain the fruit really well. I drain mine for an hour before mixing in the whipped cream. You can also reserve the juice from the fruit for a delicious fruit punch later.
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