Description
Grape Salad offers a delightful blend of sweet green and red grapes nestled in a luscious cream cheese mixture. Crisp pecans and brown sugar create a crunchy contrast, making this refreshing side dish perfect for summer gatherings and potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 lbs (907 grams) seedless red and green grapes
- 4 oz (125 grams) cream cheese, room temperature
- ⅓ cup plain yogurt or sour cream
Sweeteners and Flavoring:
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons milk or cream
Toppings and Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons chopped pecans
- 1 tablespoon chopped pretzels (optional)
Instructions
- Thoroughly rinse fresh green and red grapes under cool running water, then gently pat dry using clean paper towels or a soft kitchen towel.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, vigorously whip the cream cheese using an electric mixer until it reaches a silky, uniform consistency without any lumps.
- Incorporate plain yogurt or sour cream, granulated sugar, and pure vanilla extract into the cream cheese mixture. Blend thoroughly with the mixer, periodically scraping down the bowl’s sides to ensure complete integration.
- If the dressing appears excessively thick, gradually introduce of whole milk (15 milliliters) to achieve a smoother, more pourable texture.
- Delicately fold the clean, dried grapes into the creamy dressing, ensuring each grape is evenly coated with the sweet mixture.
- Refrigerate the grape salad for a minimum of 60 minutes to allow flavors to meld and dressing to chill completely.
- Just before serving, generously sprinkle the top with dark brown sugar, roughly chopped pecans, and crispy crushed pretzels for added crunch and depth of flavor.
Notes
- Chilling the salad for at least an hour allows the flavors to meld and the dressing to coat the grapes evenly.
- Use seedless grapes for the best texture and easiest eating experience.
- Softening cream cheese at room temperature helps create a smoother, lump-free dressing.
- Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of sugar to suit your taste preferences.
- Topping with brown sugar, pecans, and pretzels adds a delightful crunch and caramel-like sweetness.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 170 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 95 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg