Are you looking for a caramel apple dip that is anything but ordinary but doesn’t require a bunch of fuss? This version has a little something extra that takes it beyond the usual to give it the perfect sweet and salty balance. While it’s quick and easy to make, it doesn’t rely on shortcuts that compromise flavor.
Pumpkins might steal all the attention during the fall, but let’s not forget about the real star—apple! While everyone’s busy with pumpkin spice, this caramel cream cheese dip proves that apples deserve their moment to shine!
While caramel apples are treats most people love, they can be difficult to eat. This is the type of dish you take that ends up being a huge hit at fall gatherings and potlucks.
One of the Best Simple Fall Desserts
One bite, and you’ll see why this fall favorite is worth making again and again.
This homemade caramel apple dip is different from the others because it has the perfect mix of creamy, sweet, and salty. The cheesecake base is made with cream cheese, brown sugar, and vanilla to give you that creamy, rich foundation.
It’s then topped with that extra rich caramel, and then the best part… flaky sea salt. The crunchy toffee bits add a nice crispy texture that you miss with most dips. It’s a quick and easy recipe that will make the perfect snack for you and your family (or impress your guests)!
I’ve made and tested this dip until I was sure I had created it to be super tasty and still simple to make. It has all of that homemade flavor, but with convenient, easy to find ingredients.
If you’re big on caramel apple flavor like I am, you might love these Apple Pie Squares, Caramel Apple Bites, or even these Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes (that are drizzled with caramel!).
Ingredients for Caramel Cheesecake Dip for Apples
The great thing about this recipe is that while it tastes homemade (with a few simple ingredient tricks), it really is based on easy-to-find ingredients.
- cream cheese – grab the full fat version. I’m all about saving a few bucks, but I also really recommend grabbing Philadelphia brand here as well. I find that it gives a creamier overall texture than other brands.
- brown sugar – light or dark work great in this recipe, so whichever you have on hand will do.
- granulated sugar – just your standard white sugar is all you need for this.
- pure vanilla extra – don’t go for imitation, really grab the good stuff here.
- caramel sauce – I almost always use Torani’s caramel sauce because I feel like it has a much better flavor than others. I’ve tried this with several different brands and the taste and texture of Torani’s really does make a difference. With this brand, you also don’t have to worry about heating the caramel to get it to spread. I don’t use the kind found in the produce section.
- flaky or coarse sea salt – this is the kicker! This is the ingredient that is going to help you balance out that sweet and salty side. It’s important that you use coarse or flaky sea salt for this because typical table salt isn’t going to give you the same effect.
- toffee bits – feel free to grab store brand or Heath bits for this. I find that the flavor and texture work great with both.
- sliced apples – this is for serving. While I’m usually not a fan of granny smith apples because of how tart they are, they are actually the ones I really recommend here. You need that tart side to balance the richness of the dip.
How to make Homemade Caramel Apple Dip
The great thing about this cream cheese apple dip is that while it’s decadent, it’s actually really simple to make. It’s just a bit of mixing and layering.
Start with the cream cheese base
- In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until it’s smooth and creamy with an electric hand mixer.
- Add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract.
- Continue to beat until everything is well combined and the mixture is smooth.
Layer the dip
- Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly in a shallow serving dish or pie plate.
- Add the caramel sauce over the cream cheese layer, spreading evenly.
- Sprinkle a little bit of flaky sea salt over the caramel layer. You want it to be evenly spread throughout that layer so that all bites get a little of that salty bite.
- Finish the layering by sprinkling the toffee bits on top.
Chill and serve
- Cover and refrigerate the dip for at least 30 minutes to allow it to set slightly.
- Once you take it out of the fridge, add an extra drizzle of caramel sauce over the top of the toffee bits and then serve with freshly sliced apples.
Top Tip
If you want it even more rich, you can fold in whipped cream or marshmallow fluff into the cream cheese layer.
The best dippers for Caramel Apple Cheesecake Dessert Dip
While the classic choice for this is going to be some tart apples like Granny Smith or Pink Lady to help balance out that rich flavor, you can also serve this with any of your favorite apples.
If you still want to go with apples, but maybe not Granny Smith, you could grab some Honeycrisp or Gala for a milder contrast. You could also go with Braeburn to get that balance between tart and sweet.
Some other great options for dippers (if you want to avoid apples entirely), would be graham crackers, pretzels, or even pear slices.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best apples for dipping in caramel sauce are usually the tart ones like granny smith. They have a great contrast to the richness and sweetness of the caramel and toffee.
Apples are the classic choice, but you can also serve this dip with graham crackers, pretzels, or even pear slices for a fun twist.
Yes, you can leave out the toffee bits if you prefer, but they add a great crunch and extra flavor. You could also substitute chopped nuts if you still want the texture. Both peanuts and pecans would be great.
It’s best to keep the dip chilled until serving, but it can sit out for about 2 hours. After that, it should be refrigerated again to keep it fresh. It will have a much better texture when it’s cold, though, because it will stay thicker.
Most grocery stores sell them by the chocolate chips in the baking aisle. You can also grab them on Amazon.
To keep your apple slices from browning after they are cut, try tossing them in a bit of lemon juice. The citric acid helps prevent browning. You could also soak them in pineapple juice (which also has citric acid). Just be sure to store them in an airtight container until you’re ready to serve.
More cozy fall recipes
Whether you’re looking for more apple, pumpkin, or just cozy fall comfort food, there are so many options.
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
- Pumpkin Pie Milkshake
- Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread
- Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies
- Apple Pie Pull Apart Bread
- Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream
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Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup caramel sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt
- 1/2 cup toffee bits
- sliced apples for serving
Instructions
Make the Cream Cheese Base
- In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until it’s smooth and creamy.
- Add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract.
- Continue to beat until everything is well combined and the mixture is smooth.
Layer the dip
- Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly in a shallow serving dish or pie plate
- Add the caramel sauce over the cream cheese layer, spreading evenly.
- Sprinkle a little bit of flaky sea salt over the caramel layer.
- Sprinkle the toffee bits on top.
Chill the dip
- Refrigerate the dip for at least 30 minutes to allow the dip to set slightly.
Serve
- Serve with freshly sliced apples and an extra drizzle of caramel sauce over the top.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.