Creamy Grape Salad featuring sweetened cream cheese and sour cream is always a hit at potlucks. This dessert salad is a sweet, refreshing side dish.
This Creamy Grape Salad is a perfect sweet treat for any special occasion. Since all of the ingredients are available year-round, you can make it during both the holiday season and the summer. It's also perfect for both indoor gatherings and picnics. Over the years, I have seen variations of this recipe in many community cookbooks, and there is a reason it pops up so frequently. It is simple to make and very delicious!
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About This Creamy Grape Salad Recipe
Essentially, this easy grape salad recipe is a variation of the classic ambrosia fruit salad recipe or the 5-Cup Fruit Salad recipe. But instead of being made with several fruits, it is made only with grapes. This makes it super simple to shop for the ingredients and to make it.
I found that the best recipe was to use two kinds of seedless grapes, green and red. This gives variety to each bite since green grapes are typically more tart than red grapes.
Then there is the topping of dark brown sugar and chopped pecans. Please don't omit it!
If you have ever had strawberries with sour cream and brown sugar, you know how good that combination is, and this is just as amazing.
The brown sugar adds caramel notes to the salad, and the pecans' crunch is a perfect match for the brown sugar's flavor.
Sound Delicious? Great!
So, Let's Cook!
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Here's what you need for this grape salad recipe:
- Cream Cheese - Full-fat cream cheese is what makes this dressing creamy. Any full-fat brand is delicious.
- Sour Cream - A good-flavored, full-fat sour cream brings a tang to the dressing and lightens the texture of the cream cheese.
- White Granulated Sugar - To sweeten the dressing, you will need a small amount of white granulated sugar. The amount you will need depends on how sweet the grapes are. In general, I think ⅓ of a cup is just the right amount, but that really is my opinion, and you can adjust the amount according to your own taste.
- Clear Vanilla Extract - A clear vanilla extract will keep the dressing snowy white. Although clear vanilla is imitation vanilla, it is very flavorful. If you don't have clear vanilla extract, you can use any vanilla extract or vanilla paste you have on hand. Vanilla paste is very concentrated. So, if you choose to use vanilla paste, blend ½ teaspoon into the dressing, taste, and then add more to taste as needed.
- Green Grapes & Red Grapes - Green grapes are typically less sweet than red grapes. Buy green grapes that are firm and free of defects. You can use all green grapes or all red grapes. I like the variation of color in my salad. Also, red grapes tend to be sweeter than green grapes, which makes the flavor more interesting
- Dark Brown Sugar - Dark brown sugar has deep caramel and molasses flavors that make this salad extra delicious.
- Chopped Pecans - I love a bit of crunch in a fruit salad, and pecans are a natural pairing with dark brown sugar. You can also use walnuts or your favorite nuts.
Please see the recipe card for the exact quantities.
How to Make Creamy Grape Salad
- Make the Creamy Dressing. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sour cream, white granulated sugar, and vanilla until well blended.
- Add Grapes. Add the red and green grapes to the cream cheese mixture and gently fold to coat.
- Refrigerate. Put the grape salad in a serving bowl, cover, and chill in the refrigerator until serving.
- Garnish and Serve. Sprinkle the salad with the brown sugar and chopped pecans just before serving.
My Top Tip
♡ After washing and destemming the grapes, let them drain on a cloth or paper towel and pat them dry.
Make-Ahead & Storage
You can make this salad a few hours ahead of time, and it will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in a covered airtight container.
More Creamy Fruit Salad Desserts
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📖 Recipe
Creamy Grape Salad
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Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 8 Ounces Cream Cheese, 1 Large Package at Room Temperature
- 1 Cup Sour Cream
- ⅓ Cup White Granulated Sugar
- 2 Teaspoons Clear Vanilla Extract
- 2 Pounds Seedless Red Grapes, Washed and Stems Removed
- 2 Pounds Seedless Green Grapes, Washed and Stems Removed
For the Topping:
- 3 Tablespoons Dark Brown Sugar
- 3 Tablespoons Chopped Pecans
Instructions
- Make the Creamy Dressing. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sour cream, white granulated sugar, and clear vanilla extract until well blended.8 Ounces Cream Cheese, 1 Cup Sour Cream, 2 Teaspoons Clear Vanilla Extract, ⅓ Cup White Granulated Sugar
- Add Grapes. Add the red and green seedless grapes and gently fold to coat.2 Pounds Seedless Red Grapes, 2 Pounds Seedless Green Grapes
- Refrigerate. Put the grape salad in a serving bowl, cover, and chill in the refrigerator until serving.
- Garnish and Serve. Sprinkle the salad with the brown sugar and chopped pecans just before serving.3 Tablespoons Dark Brown Sugar, 3 Tablespoons Chopped Pecans
Notes
Nutrition
Per 1 serving. All nutritional information on this site is an estimate. Your results may vary.
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