🥧 Ambrosia Pie: A Delightful Dessert 🥧
Ambrosia pie is a heavenly dessert that combines the flavors of a classic Southern dish, ambrosia salad, with the comfort of a pie. It’s a sweet, creamy, and fruity treat that’s perfect for any occasion. Here’s everything you need to know about it:
📜 History:
Ambrosia salad, from which Ambrosia Pie takes inspiration, has roots in the American South. It’s believed to have originated in the late 19th century and was popularized in the early 20th century. The term “ambrosia” itself comes from Greek mythology, where it referred to the food of the gods, symbolizing something incredibly delicious and heavenly.
🧁 Components:
To make Ambrosia Pie, you’ll need the following key components:
- Graham cracker crust: Usually made from crushed graham crackers mixed with melted butter and sugar.
- Filling: A creamy mixture typically made from sweetened condensed milk, whipped cream or whipped topping, and various fruits.
- Fruits: Ambrosia pie commonly includes fruits like mandarin oranges, pineapple chunks, maraschino cherries, and shredded coconut.
- Toppings: Additional whipped cream, toasted coconut, and maraschino cherries for garnish.
👩🍳 Preparation:
Here’s a step-by-step guide to prepare Ambrosia Pie:
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Prepare the Crust:
- Crush graham crackers and mix them with melted butter and sugar.
- Press this mixture into a pie dish to form the crust.
- Bake the crust in the oven until it’s golden brown, then let it cool.
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Prepare the Filling:
- In a mixing bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk and whipped cream (or whipped topping) until well incorporated.
- Gently fold in the fruits (mandarin oranges, pineapple, cherries, and coconut) into the creamy mixture.
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Assemble the Pie:
- Pour the creamy fruit mixture into the prepared graham cracker crust.
- Smooth the top with a spatula.
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Chill and Garnish:
- Refrigerate the pie for several hours or overnight to allow it to set.
- Before serving, garnish the pie with additional whipped cream, toasted coconut, and maraschino cherries.
⏰ Time Needed:
The time required to prepare Ambrosia Pie can vary, but on average:
- Preparing the crust takes about 10-15 minutes.
- Making the filling and assembling the pie takes another 10-15 minutes.
- Chilling the pie in the refrigerator typically requires at least 2-3 hours, but overnight is preferable for the best results.
So, in total, you’ll need around 3-4 hours, including chilling time, to make Ambrosia Pie. It’s a delightful dessert that’s worth every minute of preparation! 😋🥧🍊🍍🍒
Certainly, here’s some nutrition and health information for Ambrosia Pie:
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving, approximate values):
- Calories: 350-400
- Total Fat: 15-20 grams
- Saturated Fat: 9-12 grams
- Cholesterol: 20-30 milligrams
- Sodium: 100-150 milligrams
- Total Carbohydrates: 50-60 grams
- Dietary Fiber: 1-2 grams
- Sugars: 40-45 grams
- Protein: 2-3 grams
Health Information:
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Moderation: Ambrosia Pie is a delicious dessert, but it’s important to enjoy it in moderation due to its relatively high sugar and fat content.
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Fruit Benefits: It does contain fruits like mandarin oranges and pineapple, which provide essential vitamins and minerals.
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Saturated Fat: Be mindful of the saturated fat content, primarily from the whipped cream and butter in the crust. High saturated fat intake may contribute to heart health issues, so enjoy this dessert as an occasional treat.
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Caloric Content: Ambrosia Pie can be calorie-dense, so it’s advisable to watch portion sizes, especially if you’re managing your calorie intake.
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Fiber: While the pie contains some fiber from the fruits and graham crackers, it’s not a significant source. Consider balancing your meal with fiber-rich foods throughout the day.
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Added Sugars: The sugar content is relatively high due to sweetened condensed milk and added sugar in the crust. High sugar consumption should be limited for overall health.
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Customization: You can make Ambrosia Pie slightly healthier by using lower-fat dairy options and reducing added sugars. Consider using Greek yogurt or a sugar substitute if you want to cut down on calories and sugar.
Remember that the nutritional values provided are approximate and can vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes. Enjoy Ambrosia Pie as an occasional indulgence while maintaining a balanced diet for overall health.
