Millionaire Peach Salad is the creamy, dreamy dessert salad that turns simple ingredients into pure gold. I discovered this recipe at a church potluck years ago, and it’s been my secret weapon for impressing guests ever since.

There’s something magical about combining sweet peaches with fluffy marshmallows and rich cream cheese. Last summer, when my neighbor brought over a bowl of this heavenly creation, I knew I had to master it myself. The name might sound fancy, but this Millionaire Peach Salad couldn’t be easier to make. It’s the perfect balance of creamy and fruity, with a delightful crunch from pecans and coconut that makes every bite feel like a celebration.

Let’s get cooking!

Why You’ll Love This Millionaire Peach Salad

This delightful peach salad has been winning hearts at family gatherings for decades, and I can see why. It reminds me of the classic ambrosia salads my grandmother used to make, but with a modern twist that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

No baking required – just mix, chill, and serve for an effortless dessert
Perfect for crowds – easily doubles or triples for potlucks and parties
Make-ahead friendly – actually tastes better after chilling overnight
Budget-friendly ingredients – uses simple pantry and fridge staples
Irresistibly creamy texture – the combination of cream cheese and whipped cream is pure heaven
Naturally sweet – the peaches and marshmallows provide all the sweetness you need

This creamy peach salad is more than just a side dish—it’s a memory waiting to happen at your next family gathering.

Ingredient Note List

Canned Peaches: I always recommend using peaches in juice rather than syrup to avoid making the salad overly sweet, and draining them thoroughly prevents a watery texture.

Mini Marshmallows: These little gems add a delightful chewiness and subtle vanilla sweetness that perfectly complements the creamy base.

Heavy Cream: The key to achieving that luxurious, fluffy texture is whipping the cream to stiff peaks before folding it in gently.

Cream Cheese: Make sure to soften this to room temperature for at least an hour – it makes mixing so much easier and creates a silky smooth base.

Granulated Sugar: This balances the tartness of the cream cheese and enhances the natural sweetness of the peaches without overpowering.

Vanilla Extract: A splash of pure vanilla ties all the flavors together and adds that classic dessert salad taste.

Crushed Pecans: I prefer to buy whole pecans and crush them myself for the freshest flavor and perfect chunky texture.

Coconut Flakes: Sweetened coconut flakes add tropical flair and a pleasant chewy texture that makes this Millionaire Peach Salad extra special.

How to Cook Millionaire Peach Salad?

Step 1. I usually start by draining the canned peaches completely in a colander, then dice them into small, bite-sized pieces that distribute evenly throughout the salad.

Step 2. In my experience, whipping the heavy cream first saves time – I beat it on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, then set it aside in the refrigerator to stay cold.

Step 3. My grandmother always said to beat cream cheese until it’s perfectly smooth, and she was right – I use a hand mixer on medium speed until there are absolutely no lumps.

Step 4. I’ve found that gradually adding the sugar while beating creates the silkiest texture, then I mix in the vanilla extract until everything smells heavenly.

Step 5. The secret to keeping this light and fluffy is gently folding the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture with a spatula – no aggressive mixing allowed.

Step 6. I usually add the diced peaches and mini marshmallows next, folding them in carefully so the marshmallows don’t get crushed and the peaches stay intact.

Step 7. My husband prefers when I sprinkle in the crushed pecans gradually, stirring just enough to distribute them evenly without breaking them up too much.

Step 8. For the final touch, I always top with coconut flakes right before chilling – this way they stay fluffy and don’t get soggy in the refrigerator.

How to Store & Reheat

I usually store any leftover Millionaire Peach Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it stays fresh and delicious for up to 4 days. Make sure the container seals well to prevent the salad from absorbing other flavors from the fridge.

In my experience, freezing this creamy peach salad isn’t recommended because the texture of the whipped cream and cream cheese can become grainy when thawed. The fresh ingredients really shine when kept properly chilled.

Since this is served cold, there’s no reheating necessary! For best results, I recommend removing it from the refrigerator about 10 minutes before serving to let it soften slightly. If you’ve stored the pecans and coconut separately, just sprinkle them on top right before serving for maximum crunch.

What to Serve with Millionaire Peach Salad

Grilled Chicken or Pork: The sweet, creamy flavors of this peach salad provide a perfect cooling contrast to savory grilled meats, especially during summer barbecues like our Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad Skewers.

Fresh Garden Salad: A crisp garden salad with vinaigrette balances the richness of the Millionaire Peach Salad and adds fresh vegetables to the meal.

Cornbread or Dinner Rolls: Warm, buttery bread like our Jalapeño Cornbread or Easy Dinner Rolls complements the creamy sweetness while giving guests something to nibble on between bites.

Fried Chicken: In my kitchen, I often serve this alongside Southern Fried Chicken Cutlets – the cool, sweet salad cuts through the richness beautifully.

Baked Ham: The natural sweetness of peaches pairs wonderfully with the saltiness of Baked Ham Spiral, making this combination perfect for holiday dinners.

Potato Salad: My family loves pairing this with Creamy Potato Salad for the ultimate potluck spread that covers all the comfort food bases.

FAQs

Can I use fresh peaches instead of canned?

I recommend sticking with canned peaches for the best texture and consistency, as fresh peaches can release too much juice and make the salad watery.

How long does Millionaire Peach Salad need to chill?

To avoid a runny texture, I always chill this salad for at least 2 hours, though overnight is even better for allowing all the flavors to meld together perfectly.

Can I make this salad dairy-free?

Many home cooks find success using dairy-free cream cheese and coconut whipped cream as substitutes, though the texture will be slightly different from the original.

What if my whipped cream deflates when mixing?

I’ve found that folding very gently with a spatula and making sure all ingredients are cold helps prevent deflation – if it happens, just re-whip briefly before serving.

Can I add other fruits to this recipe?

Absolutely! I often add mandarin oranges or crushed pineapple, but make sure to drain them thoroughly to maintain the perfect creamy consistency of your Millionaire Peach Salad.