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This easy recipe for caramel apple dip with cream cheese, brown sugar, vanilla and caramel is an easy dessert dip for apple season. Serve with fresh apple slices and it tastes like caramel apples!
Why you’ll love this Cream Cheese Caramel Apple Dip!
With a cheesecake layer as the base and a gooey caramel layer on top, this caramel apple cream cheese dip is perfect for fall gatherings. The best part is it is so much easier than traditional caramel apples!
Makes a delicious after school snack, an easy dessert or fun treat, and people will love you forever!
It comes together quickly, so it’s perfect when you’re craving something sweet. It’s always a huge hit and always goes fast!
This sweet dip is similar to my apple pie dip or chocolate chip dip or easy peanut butter cheesecake dip. But, the gooey caramel layer is what makes this delicious dessert taste like a caramel apple.
Ingredient Notes
Here’s what you need to make it. Full amounts are listed in the printable recipe card below.
- Cream cheese — at room temperature. Leave a block of cream cheese out to soften for easier mixing
- Brown sugar — both light brown sugar or dark brown sugar will work. Dark brown sugar will add a deeper flavor.
- Vanilla extract — for flavor
- Caramel sauce — Use a thick caramel dip like Marzetti, not a pourable thin sauce for best results
How to Make Caramel Apple Dip
First, set the cream cheese out to soften. You really need room temperature cream cheese to make mixing easier. Then, cream the softened cream cheese, brown sugar and vanilla together in a medium sized mixing bowl using a hand mixer. You can also use a stand mixer if you have one.
Then, transfer the mixture into a serving dish, making sure the top is evenly smoothed out. Next, add the caramel on top of the cream cheese layer and smooth it out. I like using an offset spatula for this step because I think that it’s the best way to evenly spread the thick caramel sauce.
Serving Suggestions
I love to sprinkle mini m&ms on top of the dip because they’re what I top my regular caramel apples with. Toffee bits, peanuts, sprinkles or any toppings will work though! You can also choose to serve this as it is without any toppings.
Serve this creamy dip with crisp apple slices — We like Granny Smith apples and gala apples, but any kind of tart, firm apple will work — and any of your favorite dessert dipping foods.
Try using animal crackers, vanilla wafers, or similar cookies, pretzels, graham crackers, Teddy Grahams, ginger snaps or any other fresh fruit such as strawberries.
Storage
Store the dip in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap. It’ll last for 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator. Bring the dip to room temperature before serving.
Helpful Tips
You can easily double or triple the recipe for a party dip. If you make it ahead of time, add the caramel layer last.
You can use homemade caramel sauce instead of the jarred version.
Be sure to use thick caramel for the topping and room temperature cream cheese.
Brush apple slices with a little lemon juice so they don’t turn brown.
More Apple Recipes
If you love apple desserts and recipes with fresh sliced apples try my crescent roll apple dumplings, or this homemade apple crisp, fresh apple cake, or easy apple pie dump cake, or these caramel apple nachos, this slow cooker apple cobbler or baked caramel stuffed apples. and check out my dessert recipes for more delicious fall desserts!
Caramel Apple Dip with Cream Cheese
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ caramel dip
Instructions
- Add the cream cheese, brown sugar and vanilla extract to a medium mixing bowl
- Beat with a hand mixer until smooth and creamy
- Scoop cream cheese mixture into a small serving bowl, and spread the caramel dip evenly over the top of the cream cheese
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes, and top with mini m and m candies, if desired
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Saw this on Instagram first. Had to make it. Very creamy and sweet. Great with apples and graham crackers. The kids want more already!
My husband begged me to make this one! He couldn’t wait for me to finish! Gone in a day! Will be making this through the fall for sure!
Such a fun treat! Great that it keeps for a few days, too.
This was so easy — much easier than caramel apples. The kids loved the apple slices.
This is SO good! Easy to make and it went fast!
WOW!! This caramel apple dip is incredible! The perfect fall treat!
We loved this dip. I can’t wait to enjoy this recipe with freshly picked apples. It tastes amazing.
It was the perfect treat for the kids!! SO YUMMY!
My kids loved this caramel apple dip! Need to make it again soon!
This was so delicious. I love that I can get all that delicious caramel apple flavor PLUS the creaminess of this without a huge mess like I’d have to deal with in a regular caramel apple.