I just love these desserts that masquerade as "salads" -- kind of like my cranberry salad recipe. And like the cranberry salad, you'll find sour cream and cream cheese play a big role in this dish.
No, this is definitely not diet food.
Although I'm guessing you could easily lighten it up a bit by substituting plain yogurt and Neufchâtel, along with using a lighter hand on the sugar and nuts.
But I went full fat, full sugar with everything... and served myself a big bowl for breakfast -- because I'm the mommy and I'm allowed to do that. And I loved. every. bite.
In fact, I may have another bowl for lunch. Shh...
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. green grapes
- 1 lb. red grapes
- 1 8-oz. package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 8-oz. bag pecan pieces
- 2 cups brown sugar
Instructions:
- Wash and dry the grapes.
- Cream together cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and sour cream until smooth. Fold the grapes into this mixture.
- Spread the grape mixture out in a 9x13 dish.
- Mix together pecans and brown sugar, and sprinkle over the top of the grape mixture.
- Refrigerate for at least two hours before serving.
http://unsophisticook.com/cream-cheese-pecan-grape-salad-recipe/
I prefer to toast my pecans for this recipe, but it's still very tasty without this additional step.
This is a great dish for potlucks and cookouts. It's easy to make, travels well, and it's slightly unusual but delicious!
Tara Kuczykowski is a married mom of three boys and two girls, ages 4 to 10 years, living in Columbus, OH.
{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
We love grape salad! It is my go to dish to take to church and everyone always loves it! We skip the pecans and instead of 2 cups of brown sugar we use 1 cup of sugar in the raw or demerara sugar for the crunch!
Mmmm, my aunt makes this for potlucks and I love it. So goood!
can you use/ have you other things beside grapes?
I’ve not tried anything besides grapes, but I think it would be delicious on any kind of berry — strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, etc. You’ve inspired me to try some new combinations!
I think I will try Strawberries
Good choice. I’d love to hear how it turns out!
This does look yummy! I can just taste it on fresh strawberries or raspberries!
I am making this for my in-laws’ surprise anniversary party on Sunday… if I don’t eat it all first. Ha! This looks fantastic, T!
-Amy
You won’t be disappointed. It’s to-die-for good, especially with the toasted pecans!
We love Grape Salad!
It is one of my most-requested recipes and always a hit at any type of gathering!
You CAN make it more diet-friendly : Simply use the low-fat versions of sour cream and cream cheese and use Splenda instead of the sugar.
Though I haven’t tried it this way, I have a friend who did it this way and said you couldn’t tell the difference.
I’m going to use grapes my very first time making this, but I bet it would also be yummy with cherries!
That’s a great idea — and I happen to have some cherries in my fridge right now… Might have to give it a try!
A friend brought this into work for a potluck, it was great! I wanted to try it for a family gathering but since everyone was watching their waistline I altered it a little. I just used the grapes and added french vanilla low fat yogurt. Also I added pecans and additional fruit (apples, strawberries and/or apples). Either way YUMMY!!!!
Does it make a difference if I let it chill overnight??
One of the girls I work with had some of the grape salad at work one day and loved it, with fall here I tried an apple version of it and my grandkids love it and instead of brown sugar on the top I drizzles carmel on it and is a new favorite at home and also at work…
What a great adaptation! Will have to try it.
My favorite dessert!! It is easy to make and everyone loves it in my family. we are all picky eaters. . but instead of brown sugar and pecans i add plain crushed pecans to the mix it gives it a nice little taste
Nah, it shouldn’t — but I’d probably let it chill for at least two hours if possible.
i cant wait to try this recipe, a good friend told me about it so i looked it up and found this neat place to get recipes and store them instead of book marking everything. what i want to know is, do you use powdered sugar? that’s what my friend used, but it just say’s sugar?
Welcome, Derinda! I use regular granulated sugar, but I’m sure you could substitute powdered sugar.
I use crushed up Butterfingers for the topping and it’s delicious!!!
2 Pounds of pecans????!!!!
Oh goodness, I can’t believe I haven’t caught that before this… No, it’s the 8-oz. bag that has about 2 cups of pecans in it. Thank you for catching that!
This reciepe sounds so good I am trying it for our family barbeque we all love grapes so it is sure to be a hit.