This twist on classic ambrosia features a combo of sweet and salty flavors that’s divinely decadent!
There’s a reason you can always count on at least one person bringing ambrosia fruit salad to a gathering—everyone absolutely loves it. These bowls of heavenly bliss typically contain mandarin oranges, crushed pineapple, cherries, sour cream, shredded coconut, and mini marshmallows. Sure, it’s always a winner, but if you haven’t tried taffy apple salad yet, you don’t know what you’re missing.
This retro version from the 1980s is packed with crispy bites of sweet and tangy Honeycrisp and Granny Smith apples, roasted peanuts, and chopped Snickers bars. Are you salivating yet? One of the reasons I love this dish so much is that it reminds me of the taffy apples I used to enjoy at amusement parks and county fairs. The only downfall was all that gooey toffee sticking to my teeth. This salad gives me those same delicious flavors, and then some, without having to run straight to my toothbrush.
If you’re a staunch ambrosia lover, don’t worry—this salad still contains the dreamy whipped topping and mini marshmallows. But it also adds a box of vanilla pudding mix to create a rich creaminess and ultra-decadent flavor. Now, if all that isn’t enough to sway you to get coring and chopping those apples, it also gets a drizzle of caramel sauce on top to excite everyone’s palate. Best of all, this is one of those ideal no-cook recipes that comes together quickly and tastes like you spent hours making it. Oh, and it tastes even better the next day!
Go wild with additional mix-ins!
Customization is easy with taffy apple salad. If nuts are an issue due to allergies or other reasons, you can simply omit them. A suitable replacement for the nuts could be raisins or dried cranberries, or they can even be used in addition to nuts for enhanced flavor and texture. (I never need a reason to add raisins to a dish—they are so good!) Chopped pretzels are another option, although I would sprinkle them on top rather than mix them in, as their crunchy texture would turn soggy quickly. You can also substitute chopped Rolo candies for the Snickers.
If Honeycrisp apples are not available, you can also use Golden Delicious (my favorite) or Pink Lady apples. These varieties increase the sweetness of the dish. I’ve also made this with canned, drained, crushed pineapple when that was what I had in the pantry. It works just as well. Make this dish even brighter with multicolored mini marshmallows. Finally, for an even more caramel-like flavor, switch the pudding mix to butterscotch. Trust me on this one; the flavor transformation is beyond description.
How do I store leftovers?
Leftover taffy apple salad (if you have any) can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap. I recommend stirring it before serving any leftovers, as the salad can become a bit watery the longer it sits. Freezing is not recommended for this salad.
Serving suggestions
Although you can use any store-bought caramel to top your taffy apple salad, I highly recommend making this Salted Caramel Sauce, as it is perfect for this dish. Serve this dish at your next picnic or barbecue, paired with the visually stunning 7-Layer Salad. Keep the colorful and fun theme going with this Bloody Mary Deviled Eggs Recipe that is sure to have everyone curious about how you made it. Add a bowl of Buffalo Chicken Salad and some lettuce leaves, this refreshing Tuna Macaroni Salad, and a platter of assorted Seven-Layer Cookies and Buckeye Brownies, and you will have one fabulous feast!
Ingredients
- 1 box instant vanilla pudding mix (3.4 ounces)
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 8 ounces whipped topping thawed
- 8 ounces canned pineapple tidbits drained (reserve juice if desired)
- 1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows
- 2 medium Honeycrisp apples cored and chopped
- 2 medium Granny Smith apples cored and chopped
- 1/3 cup roasted peanuts
- 4 Snickers bars chopped, optional
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and whole milk for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture starts to thicken.
- Carefully incorporate the whipped topping until it is fully mixed with the pudding.
- In another bowl, mix the drained pineapple tidbits with the mini marshmallows. Add the chopped apples, roasted peanuts, and chopped Snickers bars (if using).
- Gently fold the fruit mixture into the pudding base. Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the flavors meld. Just before serving, drizzle the caramel sauce over the top.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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