Combine the Greek vanilla yogurt and thawed Cool Whip in a large mixing bowl. Stir until smooth and well blended.
Add the drained pineapple tidbits, mandarin oranges, maraschino cherries, and green grapes to the bowl. Gently stir to combine without breaking the fruit.
Mix in the miniature fruit-flavored marshmallows, sweetened shredded coconut, and toasted chopped pecans. Ensure everything is evenly coated in the creamy mixture.
Chill the ambrosia salad in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours to let the flavors meld together and the texture firm up slightly.
Garnish with reserved pecans, toasted coconut, and a few maraschino cherries with stems before serving for a beautiful presentation.
Notes
Chef Jenn's Tips
Use a gentle folding motion when mixing to avoid crushing the delicate fruits like mandarin oranges and grapes. Or, add them at the end and just mix until combined.
For added flavor, lightly toast the shredded coconut and pecans before incorporating them into the salad.
If you want to make it extra special, serve the ambrosia salad in individual dessert cups or a large, clear serving bowl to showcase the colorful ingredients.
You can adjust the sweetness by using unsweetened coconut or Greek yogurt without added sugar.
For a fun twist, consider adding a splash of juice from the maraschino cherries for a slight pink hue.
A Note on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.