My great grandmother considered this 4 ingredient sweet side dish an absolute requirement for all our early spring potlucks. Fluffy white clouds coated in tangy cream mixed with bright citrus and chew

This 4-ingredient ambrosia salad is one of those sweet side dishes that shows up at every early spring potluck around here. My great grandmother made it for church gatherings, baby showers, and Easter, and she always said the table looked empty without its fluffy white clouds of marshmallows and coconut. Tangy sour cream wraps around bright mandarin orange segments and chewy coconut flakes, turning a handful of pantry staples into the kind of nostalgic bite that takes you straight back to folding chairs and plastic tablecloths in the church basement.

Serve this ambrosia salad well-chilled, straight from a clear plastic container or a simple glass bowl so you can see all the pastel marshmallows and bright orange pieces. It pairs nicely with classic potluck mains like baked ham, roasted chicken, or meatloaf, and it works just as well alongside burgers and hot dogs at a casual family cookout. Add something salty and crunchy on the table—like potato chips or buttered crackers—to balance the sweetness, and a simple green salad or steamed veggies helps round out the meal for kids and adults.

Servings: 8

1 (11-ounce) can mandarin orange segments, drained well

In a medium mixing bowl, stir the sour cream until smooth so it will coat everything evenly.

Add the drained mandarin orange segments to the bowl. Gently fold them into the sour cream, being careful not to break up the pieces too much.