Save A festive, elegant appetizer featuring juicy grapes enrobed in creamy cheese and toasted nuts, arranged to resemble a sparkling grape cluster—perfect for ringing in the New Year.
This appetizer quickly became my favorite holiday treat to share with friends and family, impressing everyone with its taste and festive look.
Ingredients
- Grapes: 3 cups seedless green grapes, washed and thoroughly dried, 3 cups seedless red grapes, washed and thoroughly dried
- Cheese Coating: 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened, 2 oz (55 g) goat cheese, softened, 1 tbsp honey, 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
- Nut & Garnish Coating: 1 cup pistachios, finely chopped and lightly toasted, 1/2 cup pecans, finely chopped and lightly toasted, 1/4 cup edible gold or silver sprinkles or edible glitter (optional for sparkle), 12-14 small mint leaves (for garnish optional)
Instructions
- Blend Cheeses:
- In a medium bowl, blend the cream cheese, goat cheese, honey, and salt until smooth and creamy.
- Coat Grapes:
- Using a small spoon or your fingers, coat each grape lightly with the cheese mixture.
- Roll in Nuts:
- Roll the coated grapes in the chopped nuts, pressing gently to adhere. For extra sparkle, lightly roll some grapes in edible glitter or sprinkles after the nuts.
- Arrange:
- Arrange the grapes on a serving platter in the shape of a grape cluster, alternating green and red for a festive look.
- Decorate:
- Decorate with mint leaves to mimic grape leaves.
- Chill:
- Chill for at least 15 minutes before serving to firm up the cheese coating.
Save This recipe always brings a smile at family gatherings, especially when choosing different colors of grapes for visual appeal.
Tips for Toasting Nuts
Toast nuts lightly on a baking sheet in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes or until fragrant, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this appetizer alongside a crisp sparkling wine or Champagne for the ultimate celebration experience.
Allergen Information
Contains dairy (cheese) and tree nuts (pistachios pecans). Not suitable for those with nut or dairy allergies. Always check ingredient labels for potential allergens.
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This appetizer is a quick and elegant starter perfect for holiday celebrations or any special occasion.
Common Recipe Questions
- → How do I prevent grapes from becoming soggy?
Make sure grapes are thoroughly dried before coating to keep them crisp and fresh.
- → Can I use other nuts in place of pistachios and pecans?
Yes, walnuts or almonds are excellent alternatives and provide a similar crunch.
- → What is the best way to coat the grapes evenly?
Use a small spoon or your fingers to gently coat each grape with the cheese mixture for even coverage.
- → How long should the coated grapes chill before serving?
Chill for at least 15 minutes to allow the cheese coating to firm up properly.
- → Is it possible to make this dish dairy-free?
Yes, substituting plant-based cream cheese and omitting goat cheese creates a dairy-free version.