This delicious Cream Cheese Caramel Apple Dip makes a great snack or dessert and only takes 5 minutes to prepare! You can take it to the next level by preparing this salted caramel sauce recipe beforehand (it only takes 10 minutes!)
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Making gourmet caramel apples is a fall tradition in our family - a special, once-per-year type of treat. This cream cheese caramel apple dip is a low-effort alternative that satisfies those caramel apple cravings throughout the rest of the year!
Rich, tangy cream cheese meets a silky-smooth caramel layer for a crowd-pleasing treat that's equal parts indulgent and effortless. This great recipe will be a huge hit at any potluck, birthday, or fall party.
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🔖 Ingredients & Substitutions
- Cream cheese: I recommend sticking with full-fat for this recipe.
- Caramel: A thick sauce works better than a runny one. The caramel sauce from Trader Joe's is a great option!
- Heath crumbles: Or crushed peanuts, if you prefer.
- Vanilla extract: You can omit it if you don't have any, but I think it makes it noticeably better.
- Sugar: I recommend using brown sugar, but you can also use white granulated or cane sugar.
- Salt: Sea salt is best.
- Optional ingredients: Toasted coconut flakes, cinnamon, chocolate chips, mini M&Ms, pecans, walnuts, crumbled Biscoff cookies.
🍏 How to Make Caramel Apple Dip
Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, vanilla extract, sugar, salt, and cinnamon, mixing until smooth.
Step 2: Transfer mixture to a shallow serving bowl or dish, then top with caramel sauce, toffee bits, and toasted coconut flakes. Serve alongside freshly sliced apples.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
Tart varieties like Granny Smith apples make the best pairing for this dip, but Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, and Pink Lady are also delicious options. It's great with fresh fruit like peach or pear slices.
But why stop there? You can also try it with other dippers like dehydrated apple chips, graham crackers, vanilla wafers, Biscoff cookies, pretzels, gingersnaps, and more. You can also serve it as part of a caramel apple bar or fall charcuterie board, or alongside these apple cider martinis!
To make this dip party-ready, you could consider serving it in hollowed-out apples or mini ramekins for individual servings. And if you're looking for another way to bring those cozy fall flavors into your kitchen, try my spiced apple cider recipe, a perfect drink to serve alongside your favorite fall appetizers."
🤷🏻♀️ FAQs
You can, but full-fat cream cheese gives the dip a richer, silkier texture.
While not necessary to make this delicious dessert dip, a hand mixer or stand mixer can make the preparation a little easier on the wrist! Otherwise, you can just mix by hand.
👩🏼🍳 Pro Tips
- Allowing the cream cheese to come to room temperature before mixing will save you a lot of effort!
- I recommend using an apple corer for quick, uniform apple slices.
- You can keep cut apples from browning by soaking them for 5-10 minutes in a solution of 2 cups of water mixed with 1 teaspoon salt.
- For the best texture, use a thick, rich caramel sauce.
- Store leftover cream cheese caramel apple dip in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week, though it will taste best when eaten within the first few days.
- Let the dip sit out for 15-30 minutes before serving so it's easy to dip into after sitting in the fridge.
Looking to try other tasty dip recipes? This creamy whipped goat cheese is a must-try!
🍎 More Apple Recipes
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📖 Recipe
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Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, vanilla extract, sugar, salt, and cinnamon, mixing until smooth.
- Transfer mixture to a shallow bowl or dish, then top with caramel sauce, toffee bits, and toasted coconut flakes. Serve alongside freshly sliced apples.
Nutrition
Notes
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- Allowing the cream cheese to come to room temperature before mixing will save you a lot of effort!
-
- I recommend using an apple corer for quick, uniform apple slices.
-
- You can keep cut apples from browning by soaking them for 5-10 minutes in a solution of 2 cups of water mixed with 1 teaspoon salt.
-
- For the best texture, use a thick, rich caramel sauce.
-
- Store leftover cream cheese caramel apple dip in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week, though it will taste best when eaten within the first few days.
-
- Let the dip sit out for 15-30 minutes before serving so it's easy to dip into after sitting in the fridge.
Kim says
Looks so delicious. Caramel apples are one of my favourite treats. I can't wait to make this recipe. Thanks Nena and Hilda.
Hilda Sterner says
Thanks, Kim! I appreciate the comment 🙂
Kelly Methey says
Fantastic! I love quick and tasty recipes! This easy recipe checks all my boxes. I’m a huge fan of caramel apples, this is so perfect for me! Yum!
Hilda Sterner says
Thanks, Kelly! I'm in total agreement!
Hilda Sterner says
We hope you enjoy this recipe!