🍨 Ambrosia Freeze: A Delightful Dessert 🍨
Ambrosia Freeze is a heavenly frozen dessert that combines the goodness of ambrosia salad with the chill of ice cream. It’s a delightful treat that’s perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth, especially during hot summer days. Let’s dive into the history, components, preparation steps, and time required for this delectable dessert.
📜 History:
Ambrosia salad itself has a long history, dating back to the late 19th century. It’s believed to have originated in the Southern United States and was traditionally made with fruits like oranges, pineapples, coconut, and maraschino cherries, often mixed with marshmallows and a creamy dressing. The exact origin of Ambrosia Freeze isn’t as clear, but it’s essentially a frozen version of this classic salad.
🥄 Components:
To make Ambrosia Freeze, you’ll need the following components:
- 2 cups of whipped cream or whipped topping
- 1 can (20 oz) of crushed pineapple, drained
- 1 can (15 oz) of mandarin oranges, drained
- 1 cup of sweetened shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup of maraschino cherries, chopped
- 1/2 cup of mini marshmallows
- 1/2 cup of chopped pecans (optional)
- 1 pint of vanilla ice cream
👩🍳 Preparation Steps:
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Start by whipping the cream until stiff peaks form. If you prefer, you can use store-bought whipped topping for convenience.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained crushed pineapple, drained mandarin oranges, sweetened shredded coconut, chopped maraschino cherries, mini marshmallows, and chopped pecans (if using). Mix them together gently.
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Add the whipped cream or whipped topping to the fruit mixture. Gently fold it in until everything is well combined.
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In a separate bowl, slightly soften the vanilla ice cream. You can do this by leaving it at room temperature for a few minutes or microwaving it in short intervals.
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Add the softened vanilla ice cream to the fruit and cream mixture. Carefully fold it in until you have a smooth and uniform mixture.
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Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container or a loaf pan.
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Cover the container with plastic wrap or a lid and place it in the freezer.
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Allow the Ambrosia Freeze to freeze for at least 4-6 hours or until it’s firm.
🕒 Time Needed:
- Preparation: Approximately 15-20 minutes
- Freezing: 4-6 hours (or overnight for best results)
So, in about 4-6 hours, you’ll have a fantastic Ambrosia Freeze ready to enjoy! It’s a delightful blend of fruity goodness and creamy indulgence that’s sure to be a hit with family and friends. 🍦🍍🍊🍒😋
Certainly, here are the nutrition facts and some health information for Ambrosia Freeze:
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving, assuming 8 servings):
- Calories: Approximately 325
- Total Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
- Sodium: 95mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 40g
- Dietary Fiber: 3g
- Sugars: 31g
- Protein: 3g
Health Information:
- Ambrosia Freeze is relatively high in calories and sugar due to the presence of ice cream, whipped cream, and sweetened fruits like cherries and pineapple.
- It contains saturated fat from the cream and ice cream, so it’s best enjoyed in moderation.
- The dessert provides a small amount of dietary fiber from the fruits and coconut, which can aid digestion.
- While it’s a delicious treat, it’s not particularly rich in essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals.
- As with most desserts, it’s best enjoyed occasionally as part of a balanced diet to avoid excessive sugar and calorie intake.
Remember that these values are approximate and can vary depending on the specific ingredients and portion sizes used in your Ambrosia Freeze recipe. Enjoy it as an occasional indulgence, and consider adjusting ingredients for dietary preferences or restrictions.
