01 -
Rinse the grapes under cool running water. Remove stems, discard any soft grapes, and dry the grapes very well with a clean towel.
02 -
Place the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring often, until fragrant and lightly toasted. Transfer to a plate to cool.
03 -
Add the softened cream cheese to a large bowl and beat until smooth. This helps the dressing stay creamy instead of lumpy.
04 -
Beat in the sour cream, mayonnaise, granulated sugar, vanilla, and salt until smooth and evenly blended.
05 -
Add the dry grapes to the bowl and fold gently with a spatula until every grape is lightly coated.
06 -
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Just before serving, mix the cooled pecans with brown sugar and sprinkle over the salad.