Sweet Ambrosia Salad

By davidv

Have you ever tried an ambrosia fruit salad? The retro recipe is filled with sweet flavors, and this version gets a pop of green from lime Jell-O, kiwi, grapes, and Granny Smiths!
Tip: Be sure to dice all of your fruits in similar sizes. This way, with each bite you'll get an even amount of each flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 (3-oz) box lime Jell-O
• 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 (8-oz) container whipped topping
• 1 cup pecans, toasted
• 1 cup coconut, toasted
• 2 (11-oz) cans mandarin oranges, drained and patted dry
• 3 cups mini marshmallows
• 1 cup halved maraschino cherries
• 2 kiwi, peeled and diced
• 1 cup halved green grapes
• 2 cups pineapple, diced
• 2 Granny Smith apples, diced

Preparation

Step 1

Place the Jell-O and 1/2 cup boiling water in a medium-size bowl. Stir until the Jell-O is dissolved, and then chill until it’s thickened, but not completely set; set aside.

Whip the cream cheese in the bowl of an electric mixer with the whip attachment until fluffy. Add the Jell-O and continue whipping until smooth. Fold in the whipped topping.

Add the pecans, 1/2 cup coconut, oranges, marshmallows, cherries, kiwi, grapes, pineapple, and apple. Fold all the ingredients together and place the salad in a serving dish. Top with the remaining coconut.