Introduction
has been my go-to potluck superstar since that scorching summer BBQ last year when my traditional pasta salad literally melted. There's something magical about how the juicy mandarins and crisp apple chunks dance with coconut cream (way better than the heavy stuff my grandma used, bless her heart). I probably make this twice a month now — it's stupidly easy and everyone always asks for the recipe. The secret? Fresh fruit only, none of that canned business. And honestly? It tastes like summer vacation in a bowl.
Timing
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Chill time: 2 hours
- Total time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh mandarin orange segments (about 4-5 mandarins)
- 2 cups fresh pineapple chunks (or um, okay fine - canned if you're in a pinch)
- 1 crisp apple, diced (Honeycrisp is my fave but whatever looks good)
- 1 cup red grapes, halved
- 1 cup coconut cream (NOT cream of coconut - totally different thing!)
- ½ cup Greek yogurt (full-fat please, life's too short)
- ¼ cup honey (local if you can get it)
- 1 cup mini marshmallows (the fancy ones from Whole Foods melt weird, skip 'em)
- ½ cup toasted coconut flakes
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Fruit
Segment those mandarins over a bowl to catch the juice - trust me, that stuff is liquid gold. Chop your pineapple and apple into like, bite-sized pieces. Nobody wants to wrestle with huge chunks at a party!
Step 2: Make the Cream Base
Whisk together the coconut cream and Greek yogurt until smooth-ish. It might look a bit lumpy at first (panic not!) but keep whisking. Drizzle in the honey and any mandarin juice you caught earlier. The mixture should taste like a tropical dream.
Step 3: The Big Mix
Gently fold in all your fruit pieces. Then add the marshmallows — and I mean FOLD, don't stir aggressively or you'll bruise the fruit and it'll get all mushy. Been there, done that, learned the hard way!
Step 4: The Finishing Touch
Sprinkle those toasted coconut flakes on top. DO NOT mix them in yet! Cover and chill for at least 2 hours. Right before serving, give everything a quick toss and add more coconut if it's looking sad.
Healthier Alternatives
Watching those calories after holiday indulgence? Skip the marshmallows (controversial, I know) and use sugar-free coconut yogurt instead of cream. Fresh Ambrosia Salad RecipeFor my keto friends, swap the honey for monk fruit sweetener and use extra coconut instead of marshmallows. It's different but still delicious — pinky promisTipsTips
