Ambrosia Whipped Yogurt Fruit Parfaits.
Give me anything in a cute parfait and I’m totally in.
With a name like AMBROSIA, it just sounds like something I would love to eat. Something beautiful and pretty and super sweet and delicious.
Hello. I need a thesaurus! Half of those words mean the same thing. Book writing has fried my brain.
This isn’t, like, the REAL ambrosia fruit salad, I know. I haven’t had that in years and truthfully, it used to totally turn me off for some reason. I have no idea why! I love all of the ingredients.
So I know this isn’t exactly it, but in my weird brain, I was inspired by a lip gloss (this has happened before… what, am I 12? Don’t answer.) and decided I just HAD to make this little parfait in time for the Kentucky Derby.
Obviously, I made some swaps. I know there are versions out there that use sour cream and some used yogurt and heck, some just use cool whip. I used a mix of flaked unsweetened coconut and shredded sweetened coconut. And I used my favorite LEGIT maraschino cherries. (You can find them here on amazon if they aren’t in your store!)
Oh my word. I could eat these by the jar. They aren’t bleached and dyed, no worries. They are the real thing and taste like pure heaven.
I did a whipped yogurt cream, which you might recognize from this French toast recipe I shared ages ago. I first had a whipped yogurt cream on waffles in Park City at a retreat a few years ago and I still think about it. Fresh whipped cream with Chobani yogurt and some vanilla extract… heck yes. The consistency is just fantastic!
It would work perfectly as my parfait base, I just knew it. I did throw a touch of coconut into it. And I tossed my pineapples, mandarin oranges and cherries with some coconut too. And I did NOT leave out the marshmallows! They are obviously key to this recipe and super fun to bite into with your own personal parfait.
One of the ridiculous reasons that the real ambrosia salad never did it for me was because it reminded me of cream based summer salads that I didn’t enjoy – like potato salad and macaroni salad. Yes, of course I know this sounds idiotic, because the ambrosia salad is mostly sweet and not mayo-based. But the appearance would instantly turn me off.
With the parfait, it’s layered sweetly and barely mixes together. I find it so much more appealing! See also: I’m a crazy person.
Now isn’t this just the cutest dessert? I know it’s not real ambrosia, but I sort of want to add some pound cake in there. I mean, we probably should. Yes. Definitely. For sure.
Ambrosia Whipped Yogurt Fruit Parfaits
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped pineapple
- 1 cup mandarin oranges drained from any juice or syrup
- 1/2 cup maraschino cherries plus a few with stems on for topping
- 1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut
- 1/4 cup flaked unsweetened coconut
- 1/3 cup mini marshmallows
- whipped yogurt cream
- 1 1/4 cups cold heavy cream
- 3/4 cups vanilla or plain Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a bowl, stir together the pineapple, oranges and cherries. Toss in half of the sweetened coconut and stir.
- To make the yogurt whipped cream, add the cold heavy cream to the bowl of your electric mixer. Using the whisk attachment, beat it on high speed until stiff peaks form and you have whipped cream. Add in the yogurt and vanilla extract, and beat on medium speed, scraping down the sides if needed, until combined. Stir in the rest of the shredded coconut and the flaked coconut.
- Layer the yogurt cream, the marshmallows and fruit mixture into four small jars or glasses. I like to do two or three alternating layers. Top it off with a cherry and an extra sprinkle of coconut if desired.
Did you make this recipe?
Be sure to follow @howsweeteats on instagram and tag #howsweeteats. You can also post a photo of your recipe to our facebook page.
I appreciate you so much!
Maraschino cherries for life!
36 Comments on “Ambrosia Whipped Yogurt Fruit Parfaits.”
Definitely a gorgeous parfait.
thanks liz!
I love everything with fruits and coconut is just cherry on top :) And as usual, your photos are amazing. Thank you for sharing! :I
thank you KR!
Okkkk I see those jars!
there they are. ;)
Pingback: Ambrosia Whipped Yogurt Fruit Parfaits. - social foods
This reminds me of a fancy version of what my grandmother used to make at every family gathering! Â What fun memories. Â I love the way you present it!
thanks lindsay!
This is such a fun twist on a classic!Â
thanks ashlyn!
How far in advance do you think these could be made? Â Thanks!
i think making them the night before would be fine! depending on your fruit, you will probably have some juice in there, but that’s no biggie!
oh and obviously keep them in the fridge. :)
Ambrosia has been by #1 pregnancy craving this last month. It completely grosses my husband out, but I can’t seem to get enough of the stuff. Definitely going to be making your version in the very near future!!!
haha how funny!! enjoy! :)
Ambrosia is something that sounds fancy, but it’s such a kid friendly recipe, too! Yum =)
thanks sara!
I also had (have?) an issue with ambrosia. We did a buffet for our wedding and ambrosia was an included salad. I asked them not to include it because I felt like it just didn’t fit and the woman coordinating everything just couldn’t understand why I didn’t want it – “But everyone loves ambrosia!” My mom still gives me a hard time about it, so maybe I’ll make her this recipe :)
i totally GET this!!
Wow! Breathtakingly beautiful!
thanks mika!
Dear Jessica, you do so great things; as I scroll down, I become more hooked ! Thank you so much !
thank you!
YUM!! Yes add some pound cake in there!
totally!
Thank you for sharing, very simple. Is the technique as simple as this? : D
These look so yummy!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com
Pingback: 15 Desserts to Take Your BBQ to the Next Level
Pingback: 15 Desserts to Take Your BBQ to the Next Level | Switch Your Mood | Blogging, Shopping & Money it's all in the Air
Pingback: Peach-Blueberry Yogurt Parfait
Pingback: Kentucky Derby Recipes - My Favorite Kentucky Derby Recipes - Kitchenpedia.co
Pingback: 17 of My Favorite Recipes for Kentucky Derby Weekend! - Cravings Happen
The “pure” Ambrosia salad is made of orange slices and coconut. Then someone added champagne; then ginger ale; someone else thought to add pineapple and/or cherries; then came the marshmallows, mayo, sour cream, etc. If you like it-make it-eat it. As far as I know there is no Ambrosia Police squad car on its way to your house!
Oh my gosh! I usually make a 7Cup Fruit Salad for Easter, but this is so much cuter! I’m definitely making this instead this year!Â
Oh my gosh! I usually make a 7Cup Fruit Salad for Easter, but this is so much cuter! This is going on my 2022 Easter menu right now!Â