Grape Salad
This refreshing grape salad combines crisp green and purple grapes with a luscious, creamy dressing made from cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, and vanilla. Chilled to perfection, it's finished with a delightful crunch of brown sugar and pecans, creating a harmonious blend of textures and sweet, tangy flavors, ideal for a light dessert or side.
Equipment
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl For preparing the cream cheese dressing.
- 1 Electric Mixer Essential for achieving a smooth, lump-free cream cheese mixture.
- 1 9x13 inch Baking Dish For assembling, coating, and chilling the grape salad.
- 1 Rubber Spatula For scraping down the bowl and gently tossing the grapes.
- 1 Chef's Knife and Cutting Board For finely chopping pecans.
Ingredients
Main
- 2 pounds seedless green grapes
- 2 pounds seedless purple grapes
- One 8-ounce package cream cheese room temperature
- One 8-ounce container sour cream
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup brown sugar firmly packed
- 1/2 cup pecans finely chopped
Instructions
- Wash the grapes and dry thoroughly with paper towels. Put the dry grapes in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. In a bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, granulated sugar and vanilla. Mix well using an electric mixer. Pour this mixture over the grapes and toss together until all the grapes are coated. Chill in the refrigerator.
- Just before serving, sprinkle with the brown sugar and pecans.
Notes
1. Thoroughly drying the grapes is paramount; any residual water will dilute the creamy dressing. After washing, a salad spinner or meticulous patting with paper towels is essential.2. Ensure cream cheese is at true room temperature. This allows it to whip smoothly with the sour cream and sugar, preventing lumps and ensuring a velvety texture for the coating.3. For enhanced flavor and aroma, lightly toast the pecans before chopping. This brings out their natural oils and nuttiness, adding depth to the final topping. A quick toast in a dry pan over medium heat until fragrant is sufficient.4. A tiny pinch of fine sea salt in the cream cheese mixture can help balance the sweetness and elevate the overall flavor profile. For an extra touch of brightness, a teaspoon of fresh lemon zest can be folded into the dressing.