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A quintessential Midwestern potluck classic, this Grape Salad is the perfect marriage of sweet and tangy. Crisp red and green grapes are enveloped in a rich, creamy dressing of cream cheese and sour cream, then topped with a delightful crunch of brown sugar and toasted pecans. It's an incredibly easy and refreshing dish that serves beautifully as a side or a light dessert.
For 8 servings
Prepare the Grapes: Wash the red and green grapes thoroughly. Remove them from the stems and pat them completely dry with a paper towel or clean kitchen towel. This is a crucial step to ensure the dressing adheres well. Set aside. (Time: 5 minutes)
Make the Creamy Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, add the softened cream cheese. Using an electric hand mixer on medium speed, beat the cream cheese for 1-2 minutes until it is completely smooth and free of lumps. (Time: 2 minutes)
Combine Dressing Ingredients: Add the sour cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt to the whipped cream cheese. Continue to beat on medium speed for another 1-2 minutes until all ingredients are fully incorporated and the dressing is light and fluffy. (Time: 2 minutes)
Coat the Grapes: Gently add the dry grapes to the bowl with the dressing. Use a rubber spatula to fold the grapes into the dressing until they are evenly and generously coated. (Time: 1 minute)
Chill the Salad: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 4 hours. This chilling time is essential for the flavors to meld and the salad to set properly. (Time: 60 minutes)
Prepare Topping and Serve: Just before serving, prepare the topping. In a small bowl, combine the chopped toasted pecans and the packed light brown sugar. Stir to mix. Remove the grape salad from the refrigerator, sprinkle the topping evenly over the surface, and serve immediately for the best texture. (Time: 5 minutes)
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A quintessential Midwestern potluck classic, this Grape Salad is the perfect marriage of sweet and tangy. Crisp red and green grapes are enveloped in a rich, creamy dressing of cream cheese and sour cream, then topped with a delightful crunch of brown sugar and toasted pecans. It's an incredibly easy and refreshing dish that serves beautifully as a side or a light dessert.
This american recipe takes 75 minutes to prepare and yields 8 servings. At 333.51 calories per serving with 4.08g of protein, it's a beginner-friendly recipe perfect for dessert or side_dish or snack.
Substitute full-fat Greek yogurt for the sour cream for a tangier flavor and a slight protein boost.
Use chopped walnuts, sliced almonds, or candied pecans instead of regular pecans for a different nutty flavor.
For a more decadent, potluck-style twist, fold in 1/2 cup of chopped Heath bars or Snickers bars along with the grapes.
Use Neufchâtel cheese (1/3 less fat cream cheese) and light sour cream to reduce the overall fat and calorie content.
Grapes, especially red ones, are rich in antioxidants like resveratrol and flavonoids, which help combat oxidative stress and inflammation in the body.
Pecans are an excellent source of monounsaturated fats, which are beneficial for heart health by helping to reduce bad cholesterol levels.
A standard serving of this Grape Salad contains approximately 340 calories. The exact number can vary based on the specific brands of cream cheese and sour cream used.
Grape Salad is best considered an indulgent treat or dessert rather than a health food. While grapes and pecans offer nutritional benefits, the dressing is high in fat and sugar from the cream cheese, sour cream, and added sugars.
Yes, you can prepare the salad (grapes mixed with dressing) up to 24 hours in advance. Store it covered in the refrigerator. Keep the topping separate and only add it just before serving to preserve its crunch.
The most common reason for a runny dressing is that the grapes were not dried thoroughly after washing. Any residual water will thin out the cream cheese and sour cream base.
Absolutely! While using both red and green grapes provides a lovely color contrast, the salad will be just as delicious with all red or all green grapes, depending on your preference.