Coconut Ambrosia Salad Dairy & Gluten Free
If you know what Ambrosia Salad is, it may bring up memories of church potlucks and family get-togethers. Usually people feel very strongly about Ambrosia Salad — they love it, or they hate it.
Coconut Ambrosia Salad
A melange of coconut, fruit pieces, and, occasionally, Jell-O, everyone has their own special recipe. One thing is generally true, though — it includes marshmallows. And the recipe I’ve come up with is no different. Most brands of marshmallows are dairy-free and gluten-free, but make sure to read the ingredients to make sure. I know Kraft brand marshmallows are dairy and gluten free, so that’s what are used in this recipe.
Most recipes for Ambrosia Salad use whipped cream. In this case, the main, creamy ingredient here is somewhat surprising — it’s a mixture of canned coconut cream and powdered sugar. When you open the can of coconut cream, there will be a thick white layer on top, and a thin clear liquid at the bottom. For this recipe, spoon off the thick white layer and use that. Set the clear liquid aside to use later, in a different recipe.
Here are just a few Benefits of Coconut:
Skin care: Coconut oil is an excellent moisturizer on all types of skin.
Hair care: Coconut oil helps in reducing protein loss from your hair giving your hair healthy growth and shine. IF you regularly massage your head with coconut oil, you can help your scalp be dandruff free.
Heart diseases: There is a misconception that coconut oil is not good for heart health. This is because it contains a large quantity of saturated fats. In reality, it is beneficial for the heart. It contains about 50% lauric acid, which helps in actively preventing various heart problems like high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. Coconut oil does not lead to increase in LDL levels, and it reduces the incidence of injury and damage to arteries and therefore helps in preventing atherosclerosis.
Weight loss: Coconut oil contains short and medium-chain fatty acids that help in taking off excessive weight. Research suggests that coconut oil helps to reduce abdominal obesity in women.
Immunity: Coconut Oil strengthens the immune system because it contains antimicrobial lipids, lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, which have antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. The human body converts lauric acid into monolaurin which research has supported as an effective way to deal with viruses and bacteria that cause diseases like herpes and influenza. Coconut oil also helps in fighting harmful bacteria.
Digestion: Coconut oil helps to improve the digestive system. The saturated fats present in coconut oil have antimicrobial properties and help in dealing with various bacteria, fungi, and parasites that can cause indigestion.
Coconut Ambrosia Salad Recipe:
Coconut Ambrosia Salad
Ingredients
- Coconut Ambrosia Salad Ingredients:
- 1 cup coconut cream I got mine at Trader Joe's
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 cup mini-marshmallows
- 1 cup fruit any kind, finely diced. A combination of pineapple and peaches or oranges works well. If you're really pressed for time, drained canned fruit would work too.
Instructions
- Putting it all Together:
- Cream the coconut cream (just the thick white part) and the powdered sugar in a stand mixer. Beat on medium-high for 3 minutes, until thick.
- Add the rest of the ingredients into the bowl. Fold everything together gently until it is completely combined. Refrigerate and serve cold.
Notes
Nutrition
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This reminds me of Frog’s Eye salad I had while growing up. Tiny tapioca balls.
Ohh Lord. If anything looked like Frog’s Eye I pass! Maybe southern thing?
Jett puffed mini marshmallows are not vegan they have gelatin
Beth you are absolutely right. I thought I had taken Vegan off…but it is off now.
I needed a dairy free recipe to take to my future mother in law s this weekend and i love ambrosia so going to try it and can’t wait I think it will empress everyone thanks so much
My grandma loves other version of these salads. I’ll have to make this for her.
Those marshmallows are not vegan – what typically makes marshmallows not vegan. I would suggest Dandies marshmallows which are gelatin free.
Thank you so much for your suggestion! I will have to search for Dandies…not heard of them.
LOOKS DELICIOUS AND MOUTH WATERING!!!!
This will go great at the holiday party that I am hosting this year. I have a lot of vegan friends so this is great. Looks so delicious!
Nice of you to make things for your Vegan friends!!
My friends son will enjoy this. He is not allowed to have any gluten. This recipe will be perfect.
Thanks again deborah for sharing!
This looks delicious. I don’t think I have ever made this one yet.
This looks so good. Will tell the wife. Thanks and have a great day!
I love ambrosia and want to make this one–going on my Pinterest boards! 😉
Thanks for pinning it Christina!
I love ambrosia and this recipes looks so good! It’s also easy to make which makes it sound even better.
Even though I’m not a fan of cononut, I love this salad!
It sounds so delicious! Thanks for the recipe 🙂
This is something that i’ve got to try
This dessert looks yummy
I am glad I saw this. I dislike ambrosia salad mainly because of the sour cream factor in the ingredients. However, adding the coconut cream. This may have to be a “try” recipe thank you. Glad it popped across the main page today.
This is one of my all time favorite salads!
Plan to try this recipe. I always thought it was made with whipped cream and cream cheese.
I love ambrosia. This sounds like a great recipe. Gluten free is a plus. Thank you so much for sharing
This looks and sounds delicious , i am going to have to try it out.
What an interesting flavor blend! I don’t eat much coconut but I do like it in desserts, which this kind of is. I look forward to giving it a try. 🙂
This salad looks really good. Would of never thought to make it this way
This looks sooo delicious! I must give this recipe a try, and soon! 🙂
Yes, it was a staple at pot lucks. Never ate it. Hate coconut.
slehan at juno dot com
My grandmother made this and it would be a great dessert for Valentine’s Day. Just add some cherries or strawberries and drizzle with red cherry or strawberry sauce. I sometimes satisfy a sweet craving with Kraft marshmallows since they’re gluten free! Nice portion control too.
This looks scrumptious! I’d love to try it! I haven’t had this in years, and the coconut cream sounds tasty.
So that’s what it’s called. I do remember seeing this at picnics and the grocery store. I’ll have to try it.
Sounds like an awesome Ambrosia recipe. My husband and I both love Ambrosia!
I love Ambrosia salad and this is a great new and healthy way to continue to have it.
Yummo!! this is one of my all time favorites at a BBQ!! Can;t wait to try your recipe!!
This sounds so yummy! I have pinned it, & can’t wait to make this for my family!
This sounds like a lovely light and delicious salad to make and enjoy.I love the coconut paired with the oranges.
This looks very delicious. Thank you for sharing.
I have to try this recipe. This would be a new taste to me. Looks good.
What a creative recipe! I’d love to make this salad for the weekend! Thanks for sharing.
How easy~I never knew that this was called ambrosia salad.
This will be on mt Thanksgiving table.Thank You
This looks very delicious!
I love ambrosia salad, and never thought to make it for the holidays – but yes!!! And I’d like to try this recipe with coconut cream, that sounds delish!
Im hungry!
I love Ambrosia salad. We usually just make it at Christmas but I am going to try your recipe next week. Thanks!
Sorry, I missed completing the details below!
Pat C.
Oh yummmmmm— This sounds so good. I never have had the chance to use coconut creme before, and this certainly would be a great start,New ideas to an old favorite, we do sort of a tropical flavored one, so I think it would turn out perfect,don’t you?
This sounds so great. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
I love ambrosia salad. My mom used to make something almost exactly like this with the coconut.
I’ve gotta make this one. So excited for this. Would be including this for Christmas eve. 🙂
My family’s recipe does not include mandarin oranges or marshmellows, but it’s got a lot of Cool Whip. However, I’ve rather lost my taste for it and the coconut cream whip sounds like a really good substitution!
I haven’t had Ambrosia Salad for ages! I’ve gotta make this! Thanks for the recipe!
I haven’t thought about this classic in forever! It would be a hoot to have ont he table for Christmas!
This looks so yummy!