Grape salad is a potluck and holiday staple, offering a sweet and refreshing counterpoint to heavier savory dishes. This Creamy Grape Dessert Salad recipe takes the classic concept to new heights, combining plump red and green grapes with a rich and decadent cream cheese and sour cream dressing.
Toasted chopped walnuts add a delightful textural contrast, making this grape salad a showstopper that's both easy to prepare and guaranteed to disappear quickly at any gathering.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Background content: is this popular at certain times of year? Special holidays?
- Simple Elegance: Made with just a handful of ingredients, this grape salad comes together in minutes, perfect for busy cooks.
- Creamy Delight: The combination of sour cream and cream cheese creates a luxuriously smooth and flavorful dressing.
- Versatile Showstopper: This creamy grape salad is a welcome addition to potlucks, holiday buffets, or simply as a delightful weeknight dessert.
Ingredients You'll Need
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- Grapes - fresh green and red seedless grapes, washed and removed from the stem.
- Sour cream
- Cream cheese, softened to room temperature.
- Sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Walnuts, chopped
- Brown sugar
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How To Make A Grape Dessert Salad
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Prepare The Grapes and Dressing
- Remove the grapes from the stem and rinse them using a colander, shaking them dry.
- In a large bowl, cream together the sour cream, cream cheese, sugar and vanilla extract until smooth with a hand mixer until smooth and creamy.
Add The Grapes To the Dressing
- Stir in the grapes with a wooden spoon or spatula, carefully folding them in so the creamy dressing coats them evenly.
Prepare The Walnut Topping
- Next, combine the brown sugar and chopped walnuts in a small bowl.
Garnish The Dessert Salad and Serve
- Sprinkle the brown sugar topping over the top of the grape salad and enjoy!
Substitutions and Variations
Here are a few delicious variations or substitutions when making this grape dessert salad recipe.
- For a lighter version, you can substitute plain Greek yogurt for the sour cream in the dressing.
- If walnuts aren't your favorite, substitute chopped pecans, almonds, or even a sprinkle of granola for a delightful textural contrast.
Tips for Success
Here are a few tips for making this dessert salad recipe:
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature before mixing. This will prevent lumps and create a smooth dressing.
- Toasting the walnuts intensifies their flavor and adds a delightful crunch to the finished salad.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this creamy grape salad chilled as a refreshing and delightful end to a holiday meal. It's also a perfect sweet treat for potlucks, bake sales, or alongside a summer picnic spread. For an extra special touch, serve the grape salad in individual cups or parfait glasses.
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Storage Options
- Creamy grape salad is best enjoyed fresh for optimal flavor and texture. However, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- It's not recommended to freeze creamy grape salad, as the grapes and dressing may lose their texture upon thawing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! You can use all red grapes, all green grapes, or any combination you prefer.
You can toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly golden brown. Alternatively, toast them on a baking sheet in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-7 minutes, or until fragrant and golden brown.
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Creamy Grape Dessert Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 ounce sour cream
- 8 ounce cream cheese softened to room temp
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 lbs green seedless grapes removed from stem and washed
- 2 lbs red seedless grapes removed from stem and washed
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup walnuts chopped
Instructions
- In a large bowl, cream together the sour cream, cream cheese, sugar and vanilla extract until smooth with a hand mixer.8 ounce sour cream, 8 ounce cream cheese, ½ cup sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Stir in the grapes with a wooden spoon or spatula.2 lbs green seedless grapes, 2 lbs red seedless grapes
- Next, combine the brown sugar and walnuts.1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup walnuts
- Sprinkle the brown sugar topping over the top of the grape salad and enjoy!
Notes
- Serve immediately, or chill overnight.
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