08/22/2026
π Sugar-Free Classic Ambrosia Salad
Fluffy stabilized cream with juicy mandarin oranges, pineapple, coconut, soft marshmallows, and bright cherries.
[No Added Sugar] Β· [Low Carb] Β· [Chilled] Prep: 20 min Β· Chill: 2 hrs Β· Serves: 10
π€ Fluffy Cream Base:
* ΒΎ tsp unflavored gelatin, bloomed in 1 tbsp cold water
* 4 oz reduced-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature (113g)
* 1 cup thick plain 0% Greek yogurt, room temperature (227g)
* ΒΌ cup powdered allulose (40g)
* Β½ cup heavy whipping cream, very cold (120ml)
β must be suitable for whipping, check label
* Β½ tsp alcohol-free vanilla
π Ambrosia Mix-Ins:
* 1 can mandarin orange segments in juice, drained very well (150g)
β check label: no added sugar, in juice only
* β
cup crushed pineapple in juice, very well drained (60g)
β check label: no added sugar, in juice only
* β
cup unsweetened shredded coconut (30g)
* 1 cup sugar-free marshmallow pieces, regular size
β verified 0g sugar; check label carefully
* 4 sugar-free maraschino-style cherries, roughly chopped and patted dry
β no added sugar, no alcohol
β¨ Finish:
* Β½ cup sugar-free marshmallow pieces, regular size
* 8β10 sugar-free maraschino-style cherries, whole and patted dry
* 1 tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut (5g)
π Instructions:
1. Drain mandarin segments and pineapple extremely well; spread on paper
towels and blot until surfaces are nearly dry β excess juice loosens
the cream and the salad becomes watery after chilling.
2. Bloom gelatin in 1 tbsp cold water 5 minutes; liquefy gently β do not
boil; cool until barely warm but still fluid.
3. Beat room-temperature cream cheese, allulose, and vanilla until
completely smooth.
4. Stir 2 tbsp room-temperature Greek yogurt into warm gelatin until
smooth; with mixer on low gradually beat yogurt-gelatin into cream
cheese; add remaining Greek yogurt and mix only until completely smooth β
yogurt must be room temperature or gelatin seizes into strings.
5. Whip very cold heavy cream in a separate chilled bowl to medium-firm
peaks β holds shape but still looks soft and fluffy.
6. Fold one-third of whipped cream into yogurt mixture to lighten; fold
in remaining whipped cream in two gentle additions.
7. Fold in mandarin segments, pineapple, 30g coconut, chopped cherries,
and 1 cup marshmallow pieces using only a few folds β keep mandarin
segments mostly intact.
8. Spoon mixture loosely into a 2β2Β½ quart clear footed glass serving bowl
building it upward into a generous mound β do not press or compact.
9. Refrigerate at least 2 hours until cream stabilizes.
10. 15β30 minutes before serving scatter remaining marshmallows over the
mound; place whole cherries prominently across the surface; finish with
remaining 1 tbsp coconut.
π‘ Tips:
* Drain and blot all fruit thoroughly β this is the most important step;
any remaining juice will loosen the cream within hours of chilling.
* Add the marshmallow and cherry topping 15β30 minutes before serving
only β applied earlier the marshmallows absorb moisture and deflate.
π Nutritional Info (per serving, ~10 servings):
Calories: ~135
Net Carbs: ~5g
Protein: ~4g
Fat: ~9g
Fiber: ~1g
Sodium: ~85mg