Grape Appetizer

Name: Grape Appetizer
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: about 5 dozen
Ingredients: 4 ounces sliced almonds (about 1 cup); 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; Appetizer skewers or toothpicks; 1 to 1-1/4 pounds seedless red or green grapes, rinsed and patted dry

Total Time Prep: 35 min. Bake: 10 min. + cooling

Yield about 5 dozen

Test Kitchen Approved

Imagine an appetizer that's both sweet and salty, looks like a cheese ball and is small enough to enjoy in one bite. Our grape appetizer is just that: a seedless grape surrounded by creamy cheese and coated in toasted almonds.

Ingredients

4 ounces sliced almonds (about 1 cup)
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
Appetizer skewers or toothpicks
1 to 1-1/4 pounds seedless red or green grapes, rinsed and patted dry

Directions

Preheat oven to 275°. Pulse almonds in a food processor until finely chopped (do not overprocess). Spread in a 15x10x1-in. pan; bake until golden brown, 6-9 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer to a shallow bowl; cool slightly.
In another bowl, mix cream cheese, blue cheese, parsley and cream until blended. Insert a skewer into each grape. Roll grapes in cheese mixture, then in almonds; place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Refrigerate, covered, until serving.

Nutrition Facts

5 appetizers: 146 calories, 11g fat (6g saturated fat), 28mg cholesterol, 124mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.

These small bites are well worth the time they take. Serve them as part of an antipasto platter or as a cheese course alongside your favorite wine. —Eleanor Grofvert, Kalamazoo, Michigan

Recipe Creator