Description
This easy grape salad is a refreshing and creamy dessert perfect for summertime gatherings or as a sweet side dish. It features chilled red seedless grapes coated in a luscious cream cheese and sour cream mixture, topped with a crunchy brown sugar and toasted nut blend. Simple to prepare and delightfully tasty, this salad is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Scale
Creamy Base
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Fruit
- 4 pounds red seedless grapes, chilled (about 10 cups)
Topping
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup walnuts or pecans, toasted and chopped
Instructions
- Make the Creamy Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Stir the mixture well until smooth and evenly combined. If the mixture is lumpy, use a whisk to help blend it thoroughly.
- Fold in Grapes: Carefully fold the chilled red seedless grapes into the cream cheese mixture. Gently toss to ensure all grapes are evenly coated without bruising them, maintaining the fruit’s texture and appearance.
- Prepare the Topping: In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and toasted, chopped walnuts or pecans until well incorporated, creating a sweet and crunchy topping that complements the creamy salad.
- Assemble and Chill: Sprinkle the brown sugar and nut mixture evenly over the top of the grape salad. Cover the bowl tightly and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or overnight. This resting time allows the flavors to meld and the salad to set perfectly.
- Serve: Serve the salad cold by scooping into individual portions. Enjoy it as a refreshing dessert or a delightful side dish that balances creamy, sweet, and crunchy elements.
Notes
- For best texture, keep the grapes chilled before mixing.
- You can substitute walnuts with pecans or other nuts of your choice.
- Toast nuts carefully to avoid burning and enhance flavor.
- This salad is best enjoyed within 24 hours for optimal freshness.
- Feel free to adjust sweetness by varying the brown and granulated sugar quantities to taste.
