Description
A delightful and easy-to-make appetizer featuring sweet, juicy grapes coated in a creamy mixture of cream cheese and blue cheese, then rolled in crunchy toasted sliced almonds for a perfect blend of textures and flavors.
Ingredients
Cheese Mixture
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 2 ounces crumbled blue cheese, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream, room temperature
Coating and Assembly
- 4 ounces sliced almonds (about 1 cup)
- 1 to 1-1/4 pounds seedless red or green grapes, rinsed and patted dry
- Appetizer skewers or toothpicks
Instructions
- Prepare Almonds: Preheat your oven to 275°F. Place the sliced almonds in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Spread the chopped almonds evenly on a 15x10x1-inch baking pan.
- Toast Almonds: Bake the almonds until golden brown, about 6 to 9 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even toasting. Once done, transfer the almonds to a shallow bowl and allow them to cool slightly.
- Make Cheese Mixture: In a separate bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, room temperature blue cheese, minced fresh parsley, and heavy whipping cream. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Skewer Grapes: Insert an appetizer skewer or toothpick into each grape carefully, ensuring it is secure for rolling.
- Coat Grapes with Cheese: Roll each grape in the cheese mixture until it is evenly and well coated on all sides.
- Coat Grapes with Toasted Almonds: Immediately roll the cheese-coated grapes in the toasted almonds, pressing gently to adhere the nuts to the surface.
- Chill: Place the coated grapes on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Cover the sheet and refrigerate until ready to serve, allowing the cheese to firm up slightly.
Notes
- Best served cold for optimal texture and flavor.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Use fresh grapes that are firm and free of blemishes for the best quality appetizer.
- To avoid sogginess, make sure grapes are thoroughly patted dry before coating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
