Caramel Apple Dip Recipe

This Caramel Apple Dip is a creamy and easy recipe, which is made with cream cheese and brown sugar. It’s the perfect party appetizer, ready in about 30 minutes.

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Caramel Apple Dip Ingredients

6 Tbsp. salted butter
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
3 Tbsp. heavy cream
8 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup chopped roasted, salted peanuts
3 apples (assorted colors), sliced

How To Make Caramel Apple Dip

Make the caramel sauce: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook gently for about 4 minutes, stirring, until the sugar is dissolved and the caramel is bubbly. Remove from the heat and let it cool for 15 to 20 minutes until it’s warm, but not hot.
Whip the cream cheese base: In a large bowl, beat the room temperature cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes, until it’s smooth and fluffy.
Combine, top, and serve: Beat three-quarters of the warm caramel sauce into the whipped cream cheese until it’s fully incorporated. Spoon the mixture into a serving bowl. Re-warm the remaining caramel in the microwave for about 20 seconds until it’s pourable, then drizzle it over the dip. Sprinkle with the chopped peanuts and serve immediately with sliced apples.

Recipe Tips

How to get the smoothest dip? The most important step is to use room temperature cream cheese. If it’s cold, it won’t whip up as smoothly and you may end up with a lumpy dip.
Can I make this ahead of time? Yes. The recipe notes you can refrigerate the finished dip for up to 4 hours. Just let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving to soften slightly.
What are the best apples for dipping? A mix of sweet and tart apples is best. Crisp, tart Granny Smith apples provide a great contrast to the sweet dip, while sweet varieties like Honeycrisp or Fuji are also delicious.
Can I use a different kind of nut? Absolutely. Finely chopped pecans or walnuts would be a fantastic substitute for the peanuts. For a nut-free version, you can top the dip with toffee bits.

What To Serve With Caramel Apple Dip

While perfect with apple slices, this dip is also wonderful with:

Pear slices
Graham crackers
Pretzels
Shortbread cookies
Nilla wafers

How To Store Caramel Apple Dip

Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The dip will be firm when chilled, so let it sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes to soften before serving.

Caramel Apple Dip Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: ¼ cup
Calories: 280 kcal
Fat: 22g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Protein: 3g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Can I use a store-bought caramel sauce for a shortcut?

Yes. For a super quick version, you can skip making the caramel from scratch. Simply warm about 1 cup of your favorite jarred caramel sauce and follow the steps for whipping it into the cream cheese.

Why did my caramel sauce get grainy?

This can happen if the sugar crystallizes. To prevent this, make sure the sugar is completely dissolved into the melted butter and cream before you let the mixture simmer.

Can I serve this dip warm?

This dip is designed to be served at room temperature. Heating the entire dip would cause the cream cheese to become too thin and liquidy.

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