Ambrosia is a sweet and delicious dessert that seems to be filled with sunshine! This dessert has been a part of every celebration and get-together in my family, well, as long as I can remember. Both of my children have loved this fruit filled dessert since they were very young. When my daughter was little, she always used to ask for some “Francesca” instead of ambrosia. So, in our family, this dessert became Francesca! Filled with mandarin oranges, pineapple, maraschino cherries and marshmallows, ambrosia is perfect at any time of the year and especially for summer.
Now that my daughter is an adult, she really has no idea why or how she starting calling her one of her favorite childhood desserts Francesca. Did you ever think about what first name you would choose for yourself if you could – or hmm, is that just me? Well, Francesca was always the name I would pick – though my tiny little three year old didn’t know that. Some mystical mother-daughter connection, perhaps?
Francesca, aka ambrosia, is super easy and quick to put together! You can leave the maraschino cherries whole, if you’d like, though we always cut them into smaller pieces for the little ones – and I still do! Now, I like to add chopped walnuts for a little crunch. You can also add slivered almonds if you’d prefer or of course, no nuts at all.
“Francesca” aka Ambrosia
Ingredients:
- Two small cans of mandarin orange slices, drained
- One 12 oz. can of crushed pineapple, well drained
- One 12 oz. can of pineapple chunks, well drained
- One jar of maraschino cherries, cut up
- One 7 oz. bag of sweetened, flaked coconut
- One package of miniature marshmallows
- One pint of sour cream
- ½ – 2/3 cups of chopped walnuts or slivered almonds (optional)
Chop cherries; spread them out on paper towels to drain, because those cherries are super juicy! Drain mandarin oranges and pineapples and place drained fruit in a large bowl. Add chopped cherries, miniature marshmallows and coconut.
Add one pint of sour cream and mix well. Add chopped walnuts or almonds, if desired, and stir. Cover and chill several hours.
Ambrosia is the perfect, sweet finish for a picnic, cookout or summer celebration. Keep a bowl in the fridge and you have a ready made snack the kids will love. Serve it in stemmed goblets and it’s dinner-party worthy! “Francesca” is also totally delicious with a slice of pound cake – you MUST check out my grandmother’s absolutely, best ever cream pound cake recipe – it is truly one delicious cake, and has totally loved hanging out with Francesca as long as I’ve known both of them! <smiles>
It’s good to be back after battling a spring virus! Thank you so much for stopping by today and I hope your Sunday is filled with as much sunshine and sweetness as “Francesca.”
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Always a summer favorite! I kind of like calling it Francesca!
Thanks, Danni! I like calling it that, too! Have a wonderful Sunday!
I haven’t had this in a long time! I always liked this type of salad. Now I am going to have to make this. It’s perfect for this awful hot weather that we now have in FL!
Hi Julie – this is refreshing for hot weather! We lived in Florida for about two years when our children were little and I remember how hot it used to get in the summers! Thanks, as always, for stopping by and enjoy a great Sunday!
Kayla says
What a nice little story! It is funny how kids come up with names like that. I have a daughter who calls Chocolate Milk, Milky Juice! It has stuck with my family for 8 years now! This look fabulous I will have to make this one day =)
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Hi Kayla! Thanks so much for connecting through the Social and it’s wonderful to meet you! Milky Juice is so cute and it is funny how the little names our kids come up with seem to just stick. This “Francesca” is delicious and definitely kid approved! Look forward to getting to know you and have a terrific Sunday!
That is too funny {and sweet} that your daughter called it ‘Francesca’. We always used to have Ambrosia at gatherings when I was growing up and now it’s been years and years. Will have to try it again now!
xoxo
Claire, you definitely need to try “Francesca” again soon – great and refreshing for summer! Thanks for visiting! xoxo
I think I prefer the name Francesca! Whatever you call it, it looks delicious Cindy ?
I like that name better, too, Lisa!! Thank you so much!
Oh, this brings back memories! My Mom used to make ambrosia every Christmas – it is so delicious. I’ll have to try your recipe! Pinning!!!
Hi Renee! I know exactly what you mean – my Mom still makes this every Christmas! My daughter loves it so much, hence the name, that I try to make it all year round. So sweet of you to visit, I appreciate it SO much and thanks for the pin! Have a wonderful Sunday!