Description

This Creamy Grape Salad is a delightful and refreshing side dish or dessert featuring sweet, juicy grapes coated in a luscious mixture of cream cheese, sour cream, and brown sugar, enhanced with the bright flavor of orange zest and vanilla. Topped with crunchy sugared pecans, this no-cook, easy-to-make salad is perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or anytime you want a sweet and creamy treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Dressing

4 ounces cream cheese, softened
½ cup sour cream
¼ cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Zest of 1 small orange

Salad

4 pounds seedless grapes (green and red)
2-3 tablespoons brown sugar (for topping)
3-4 tablespoons Fisher Nut Topping or Fresh Gourmet sugared pecans

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prepare the dressing. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened cream cheese, sour cream, ¼ cup brown sugar, vanilla extract, and orange zest until smooth and well combined.
Add grapes. Gently toss the green and red seedless grapes in the creamy mixture until they are evenly coated, taking care not to crush the grapes.
Chill the salad. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for up to 24 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the dressing to thicken.
Add brown sugar topping. One to four hours before serving, uncover the salad and sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons of brown sugar evenly over the top for added sweetness and texture.
Refrigerate uncovered. Place the salad back in the refrigerator uncovered until you are ready to serve, helping the brown sugar to slightly dissolve and form a light crust.
Add nuts before serving. Just before serving, sprinkle 3-4 tablespoons of Fisher Nut Topping or sugared pecans over the salad to add a delightful crunch.
Serve and enjoy. Mix gently if desired and enjoy this creamy, sweet grape salad chilled.

Notes

You can use all green or all red grapes if preferred, but a mix adds vibrant color and flavor contrast.
For a different nut topping, try candied walnuts or toasted almonds.
This salad can be prepared a day in advance, making it a convenient option for parties.
Adjust the brown sugar topping according to your sweetness preference.
If you do not have orange zest, lemon zest can be used as a substitute with a slightly different flavor.