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America's Melting Pot
Ambrosia hero image coming soon
Late 1800s-present - Southern cooks adapting citrus, coconut, and holiday fruit desserts
A simple old-fashioned ambrosia of oranges, pineapple, coconut, and a little sugar, chilled until juicy.
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Difficulty
Easy
Prep time
20 minutes
Cook time
0 minutes
Total time
1 hour 20 minutes including chilling
Servings
6
Region
American South
Era introduced
Late 1800s-present
Introduced by
Southern cooks adapting citrus, coconut, and holiday fruit desserts
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Ambrosia began as a luxury fruit dessert when oranges and coconut felt special enough for holiday tables. Older versions were simple: citrus, grated coconut, and sugar. Over time, American cooks added pineapple, cherries, marshmallows, whipped cream, sour cream, or mayonnaise, turning ambrosia into both dessert and ?salad.? This entry preserves the cleaner fruit-and-coconut style; the creamier midcentury salad version belongs beside it as a related variation.
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