Ambrosia is a variation on the traditional fruit salad. It contains sour cream and/or sweetened whipped cream (or whipped topping), pineapple, mandarin oranges and coconut. Some versions also contain bananas or strawberries or miniature marshmallows. The mixture is then refrigerated for a few hours.It is most common in the American south, and dates back to the 19th century in America. Ambrosia is mentioned in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird and the movie Edward Scissorhands.