Elevated Ambrosia Salad (Print View)

Mandarin oranges, pecans, marshmallows, and whipped cream enhanced with bourbon create a refined dish.

# 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

# How To Make It:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the mandarin oranges, pineapple tidbits (if using), toasted pecans, and shredded coconut.
02 - In a separate chilled bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream with powdered sugar, bourbon, and vanilla extract until soft peaks form.
03 - Fold the whipped cream gently into the fruit and nut mixture until evenly coated.
04 - Add the mini marshmallows and fold again to combine thoroughly.
05 - Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld.
06 - Serve chilled, optionally garnished with additional pecans or a sprinkle of shredded coconut.

# Expert Insights:

01 -
  • It takes twenty minutes to assemble but tastes like you labored over something fancy and complicated.
  • The bourbon adds warmth without screaming alcohol, just a grown up edge that keeps it interesting.
  • Toasted pecans give you that crunch against the soft marshmallows and juicy citrus, so every spoonful has texture.
  • You can make it hours ahead and let it chill, which means one less thing to worry about when guests arrive.
02 -
  • If you skip chilling the bowl and cream before whipping, you will struggle to get good peaks and the texture will suffer.
  • Drain the fruit thoroughly or the excess juice will turn your fluffy cream into a soupy mess within an hour.
  • Fold gently, stirring hard will knock all the air out of the whipped cream and leave you with a flat deflated salad.
03 -
  • Use a chilled metal bowl and cold beaters when whipping the cream, it makes a huge difference in how quickly and how high the peaks form.
  • Taste the whipped cream before folding it in and adjust the bourbon or sugar to your preference, because once it is mixed you cannot easily fix it.
  • If you want a lighter version, substitute half the heavy cream with Greek yogurt, but know the texture will be tangier and less fluffy.
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