Creamy Grape Salad

I am quite aware this blog is primarily filled with baked goods, sticks of butter, cups of sugar, and an inevitable spike in your virtual cholesterol. There's a good reason for it, too. I love working and kneading dough with my hands. I love the smell and sound of bubbling browned butter. I love the soft sweetness that adding just a hint of sugar brings to dark and decadent desserts. Most importantly, I love eating these sweet treats. But every once in a while I find a recipe that, even though it doesn't have anything to do with baking, is just too good not to share with you, blog theme be damned.

I'm hoping you'll forgive me.

Today, I'm going to step out of my frosting covered comfort zone and share a salad with you.

My mother actually made this grape salad for a potluck lunch. She had read raving reviews about it and promptly decided she needed to know what all the fuss was about. I'm glad she went to the trouble. Even though the salad may look a little peculiar (and to be honest, I was initially very skeptical about it), it is undeniably delicious. Even the guests who were hesitant to try it inevitably came back for seconds. That speaks volumes.

Since I can't get enough of this grape salad, I made it again, this time just for myself. If you're lucky, I just might share it with you.

This Creamy Grape Salad is fresh and light, with just the right balance of sweet and tart. Cream cheese and sour cream are mixed together with a touch of sugar to make the base. Though the combination of these ingredients might sound strange to you (as they did me), keep in mind that these are the primary components of fruit dips. The salad features both sweet red grapes and tart green grapes which mingle together with toasted almonds and brown sugar. The complete recipe is perfect for a potluck or friendly get-together while halving the recipe will provide just the right amount for your own family. You don't want to miss this.

Creamy Grape Salad
Adapted from Taste of Home

8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup sour cream
1/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 pounds seedless red grapes
2 pounds seedless green grapes
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted

In a medium mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Mix in the sugar and vanilla extract. Stir in the grapes until evenly coated. Mix in 2 tablespoons of brown sugar and toasted almonds.

Serve chilled. Top with the remaining brown sugar and almonds.

Comments

[lynne]

I've never seen a grape salad, but sounds yummy!

[Charissa]

Oh my! You always have something to tempt me...well, at least there is fruit in there, lol! I bet I could make a yogurt base for this with a cream cheese flare...but oh, you never know, I may cave for the real deal. :)

[natalie (the sweets life)]

creamy fruit salads are my favorite! YUM!

[The Food Hunter]

I've never heard of this before but I would certainly try it.

[Julie Carr]

I make this salad alot goes well at picnicks(dish to pass) my stepmom gave me the recipe a few summers ago. I love it and always eat way to much of it....Need to try it if you haven't.

[joanne]

Sounds good, I'm going to try it. I wonder since it did look like carrots to me at first, how it would taste. I will have to try for those perhaps who have allergy to nuts.

[Cathy]

Yep...make this at a restaurant here in Tallahssee all the time. We leave out the almonds...use pecans. We also mix in some minimarshmellows. A very popular choice on our salad bar!

[Amy Nielsen]

I make this salad, but add cubed smoked turkey!! So wonderful!! Try it, you will be pleasantly surprised!

[Carolyn]

Thank you for all of the comments, I am going to make this for Labor Day and Cathy thank you for your added advice. I prefer pecans over almonds. Have a great day everyone.

[Kim]

I was very hesitant to try....BUT THIS STUFF IS DELICIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The one I ate had shredded cheddar cheese in it too and it was so GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!!!!