Elevated Ambrosia Salad Mix (Printer-friendly)

Mandarin oranges, toasted pecans, marshmallows, and bourbon cream combined for a fruity, creamy indulgence.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fruit & Nuts

01 - 2 cups mandarin orange segments, drained if canned
02 - 1 cup pineapple tidbits, drained (optional)
03 - 3/4 cup toasted pecans, coarsely chopped
04 - 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut

→ Cream & Flavoring

05 - 1 cup heavy whipping cream
06 - 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
07 - 1–2 tablespoons bourbon, adjusted to taste
08 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Marshmallows

09 - 2 cups mini marshmallows

# Steps:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, gently combine mandarin orange segments, pineapple tidbits if using, toasted pecans, and shredded coconut.
02 - In a separate chilled bowl, beat heavy whipping cream with powdered sugar, bourbon, and vanilla extract until soft peaks form.
03 - Fold the whipped cream gently into the fruit and nut mixture until evenly combined.
04 - Fold in mini marshmallows until incorporated throughout the mixture.
05 - Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld.
06 - Serve cold, optionally garnished with additional toasted pecans or a sprinkle of shredded coconut.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The bourbon whisper transforms something nostalgic into something genuinely crave-worthy for adults.
  • Everything comes together in 20 minutes—no baking, no stress, just straightforward assembly.
  • Toasted pecans and whipped cream create a textural contrast that keeps each spoonful interesting.
02 -
  • If your whipped cream separates or looks grainy, you've beaten it too long—start over with fresh cream because there's no rescue mission once that happens.
  • The bourbon should never be tasted as bourbon; if it is, you've added too much, and the whole balance tips wrong.
03 -
  • Freeze your mixing bowl in the freezer for 10 minutes before whipping cream—it makes the difference between soft peaks in three minutes and a wrestling match with overbeaten cream.
  • Always taste your bourbon-whipped cream before folding it into the fruit; your palate is the only judge that matters for that bourbon ratio.
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