Creamy Easy Caramel Apple Dip for Fall Fun (Print Version)

Make this Easy Caramel Apple Dip for a quick fall treat! Rich, sweet caramel with cream cheese. Perfect for sharing.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 5 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6-8 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian

# Ingredients:

→ Creamy Dip Base

01 - 8 oz (226g) cream cheese, softened
02 - 1/2 cup (60g) powdered sugar
03 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
04 - 1-2 tbsp heavy cream

→ Caramel Layer

05 - 1 (12-16 oz) jar caramel sauce
06 - Pinch of flaky sea salt (optional, but recommended!)

→ Dippers & Toppings

07 - 3-4 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Fuji), sliced
08 - 1/4 cup chopped peanuts or pecans (optional)
09 - 2 tbsp mini chocolate chips (optional)
10 - Pretzels or graham crackers (for serving)

# Instructions:

01 - First, make sure your cream cheese is really, truly softened. Like, leave it on the counter for an hour. In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until it’s super smooth and fluffy. This is where I sometimes get impatient and end up with tiny lumps, oops! Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then beat until everything is wonderfully combined and light. Pour in the heavy cream and mix just until it's smooth and perfectly dippable. Don't overmix, or it can get too thin, trust me on this one!
02 - Now, grab your favorite serving dish. A pie plate or a shallow bowl works perfectly for this Easy Caramel Apple Dip. Gently spread the cream cheese mixture evenly across the bottom of the dish. It doesn’t have to be perfect; a rustic look is charming, right? This layer is the sweet, tangy canvas for all the caramel goodness to come. I always taste a tiny bit here, just to make sure it's up to my standards, you know.
03 - Time for the star of our show! Pour your caramel sauce into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat it in the microwave for about 30-60 seconds, or until it’s warm and pourable but not bubbling hot. You want it to flow smoothly, not scald your fingers. I’ve definitely overheated it before, resulting in a sticky, unmanageable mess that was hard to spread – learn from my mistakes, hon!
04 - Carefully pour the warmed caramel sauce over the cream cheese layer. Use a spoon or a small spatula to gently spread it out, making sure to cover the cream cheese. Try not to mix the layers too much; we want those distinct, beautiful stripes of creamy white and golden caramel. This step always smells incredible, like a fall carnival in my kitchen.
05 - This is the fun part! Sprinkle your chosen toppings generously over the caramel layer. Chopped nuts, mini chocolate chips, a little extra flaky sea salt – go wild! Sometimes I do half with nuts and half with chocolate chips to please everyone. It’s okay if some fall off the sides; that just means more deliciousness to scoop up with your dippers.
06 - Once your dip is assembled and looking gorgeous, grab a platter of sliced apples, pretzels, graham crackers, or even cookies. This Easy Caramel Apple Dip is best served immediately, when the caramel is still a little warm and gooey, but it’s also fantastic chilled. Honestly, it disappears so fast, you might want to make a double batch!

# Notes:

01 - Don't overmix the cream cheese base, or it gets too thin, trust me on this!
02 - You can make the cream cheese base a day ahead and store it covered in the fridge.
03 - Tried using dulce de leche once; it was good, but stickier.
04 - A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top of the caramel? Game changer!

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Mixing bowl
02 - electric mixer (handheld or stand)
03 - spatula
04 - serving dish

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 250-350
Total Fat: 15-25g
Total Carbohydrate: 30-45g
Protein: 2-5g

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