California Grape Truffles have a sweet, juicy inside that’s surrounded by creamy goat cheese and rolled in a shaved chocolate or a crunchy, nutty topping. These grape appetizers come together in 20 minutes or less and look gorgeous on your party serving platter. 

At The Produce Moms, one of our favorite fruits is grapes. And since we’re passionate about sharing fun new ways to introduce fruits and vegetables to your kids, we tried something new … California Grape Truffles!

This recipe is sponsored by Grapes from California. 

Coat your fresh California grapes with creamy goat cheese, roll them in your favorite crushed nuts or shredded chocolate, and chill in the fridge. You’ll love how easy these grape truffles are to make, yet they still taste and look like a decadent dessert.

Be sure to check out some of our other fun ways to serve grapes at the end of this blog.

A Grape Truffle?

We know what you’re thinking … What is a grape truffle? You’ve probably had chocolate truffles before, getting their name from the truffle mushroom, but with a soft, rich chocolate center rolled into a ball and dusted with cocoa powder. Grape truffles are our savory, produce version of the sweet, decadent original.

Why Eat Grapes?

Twenty-five years of research shows that grapes offer intriguing health-promoting possibilities. So not only are they delicious to eat, they are good for you. Studies

suggest that grape polyphenols protect the health and function of cells in multiple ways, contributing to antioxidant action and influencing cellular communication. Below are some of the basic research findings:

• Grapes help maintain a healthy brain.
• Grapes help maintain a healthy colon. 
• Grapes are a heart-healthy food.
• Grapes may help support a healthy immune system.
• Grapes help support healthy skin.

Learn more about the health benefits of grapes here. 

Ingredients

One thing you’ll love about these grape truffles is that you only need three easy-to-find ingredients from the store. And you can easily create three different versions by rolling a variety of toppings on the outside of your savory truffles.

Grapes from California

Red and green California table grapes are perfect for snacking and eating fresh, straight from the bag after rinsing. When buying grapes from your local produce section, look for ones that are plump and have green stems that can bend without breaking. You may see a whitish layer called bloom, which means that particular vine of grapes is naturally protecting itself from moisture and decay (it’s a good thing!). For a longer shelf life, be sure to store them unwashed in the fridge and wait to rinse until right before you make your grape truffles.

Goat Cheese

Creamy goat cheese pairs well with any type of fruit, especially with grapes. The soft and creamy, earthy tang of goat cheese balances the crunchy topping with the juicy center of your red and green table grapes. If you can’t find goat cheese, you can also substitute it with a soft, spreadable cheese like cream cheese or mascarpone cheese.

Toppings

This is where you can get creative with this grape truffle recipe. We used crushed pistachios and walnuts because they are softer nuts, so they are easier to crush. For a chocolate truffle-inspired variation, we shaved chocolate and then rolled a few of our grapes. You can drizzle with honey for some extra sweetness, or hot honey for a little kick. Get creative and see what topping ideas your kids come up with, also!

How to Make California Grape Truffles

Before you get started, be sure to let your goat cheese sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to soften. This prevents the cheese from crumbling and makes it easier to form your savory truffles.

Now, let’s turn these grapes into truffles…

Step 1: Rinse your grapes.

Before you start rolling your grapes, remove them from the fridge (because that’s where you stored your dry grapes, right?), rinse them under cold, running water, and then pat them dry with a paper towel. 

Step 2: Cover the grapes with goat cheese.

Wet your hands and use them to cover each grape with about 1 teaspoon of goat cheese. This helps prevent the cheese from sticking to your hands, instead of the grapes. Gently press the cheese with your palms for an even and slightly thick layer of goat cheese around each grape. Be sure the grape is completely covered and place on your serving platter. Chill your grapes for 10-15 minutes. 

Step 3: Coat the grapes with toppings.

While your grapes chill, prep your toppings. If you bought whole pistachios and walnuts, crush them separately in a food processor or place them in a Ziploc bag and roll over the bag with a rolling pin. You can use a knife or a zester to shred a bar of chocolate.

Be sure to put each topping into separate bowls. Then roll each chilled grape with your favorite topping until it’s coated. Pierce your grape truffles with a toothpick, place on a serving platter, and serve!

Why We Love Grapes from California

We are proud to partner with Grapes from California because they love to share new ways to enjoy grapes just as much as we do.  And did you know that 99% of table grapes grown in the United States are grown in California?!  They are passionate about educating families on the nutritional benefits and showing how easy it is to select, store, and serve grapes. Be sure to look for the Grapes From California logo in the produce aisle for a super juicy, sweet center in your grape truffles. 

More Grape Appetizers For You to Try

• Creamy Grape Salad – a twist on ambrosia
• Roasted Grapes – bursting with sweet, jam-like flavor
• Greek Yogurt Greek Parfait – layers of creamy, crunchy, and juicy textures
• Twilight Salad – made with black table grapes and super satisfying