This super delicious caramel apple dip recipe is a quick and easy dessert that only contains 4 ingredients!
When I think fall, I think about apple recipes like our favorite apple nachos. Well, I also think of pumpkin, but I’ve been sharing a lot of pumpkin recipes lately so now it’s time for something a little different! Have you ever tried to make caramel apples before? They’re fun to make and eat, but sometimes I want caramel apples for a crowd which is when I whip up this super easy caramel apple dip. It’s a simple combination of ingredients that makes a spectacular dessert, snack or appetizer. Add some sliced apples and dip away!
How to make caramel apple dip
The base of this caramel apple dip is lightly sweetened cream cheese, which is spread into the bottom of a serving dish. The cream cheese layer is topped with caramel and sprinkled with toffee bits for a finishing touch.
For the caramel layer, I typically use a tub of pre-made caramel dip such as Marzetti brand which is available near the apples in the produce section of your grocery store. You can also use a caramel sauce but make sure it’s thick and not runny like some sundae toppings are. Another delicious option for the topping would be a can of dulce de leche.
I love the crunch and flavor of the toffee bits, but you could also top this dip with chopped peanuts or peanuts, or even mini chocolate chips.
This apple dip can be prepared in advance, but it’s best served at room temperature so that the layers are perfectly creamy and dippable. I like to serve this dip with sliced green and red apples, but sliced pears, graham crackers or vanilla wafers would also be great additions to mix things up a bit.
This caramel apple dip is perfect for parties, fall gatherings, potlucks, or just for any time you’re craving a caramel apple. It’s a fall favorite that can most definitely be enjoyed all year round!
More easy dessert ideas
Caramel Apple Dip Video
Caramel Apple Dip
Ingredients
- 1 8 ounce block cream cheese softened
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 16 ounce container caramel dip or thick caramel sauce
- 1/2 cup toffee bits
Instructions
- Place the cream cheese in a medium bowl and beat with a mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Add the sugar and beat until thoroughly combined.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture into an even layer in a 3 cup serving dish.
- Pour the caramel dip or sauce over the cream cheese mixture. Spread into an even layer. Top with toffee bits and serve with sliced apples.
I made this dip for a small, family party and everyone raved about it! There wasn’t any left by the end of the party. Even people who didn’t like caramel still loved this dip! Such a great combination with the cream cheese. Thank you for the quick, easy recipe and thanks to previous commenters for the tip about the apples. I soaked them in sprite for a few minutes and they stayed perfectly white the entire day! This recipe is a keeper!
So glad to hear you liked it, thanks for reporting back!
If someone is a diabetic, could you substitute Splenda?
You can, just make sure you also use sugar free caramel sauce and sugar free toffee, or try chopped nuts instead of the toffee!
Love all the comments along with the extra ideas. Thick caramel is the same as ice cream topping? Or is the topping to thin? I never knew about putting apples in sprite. 💜 Yummy post. I thank my sister Peggy for sharing it.
Yes ice cream topping will work, you just don’t want the thinner syrup.
Made this but used cinder toffee for the topping and strawberries instead of apple. SPOT ON
This dip is amazing! I made it with the toffee and served with red and green apple slices. We ALL loved it!
I served it on an apple -shaped dish. Very festive!
We don’t get heath or skor bars here, what else could I use? Maybe peanuts?
Any other substitutes?
Chopped peanuts, pecans or mini chocolate chips would all be great!
Love this! Thanks so much for sharing.
Could you just melt caramels in double boiler
Can’t find a thick caramel St stores?!?!
You can do that, but add some cream to thin the caramel out, otherwise it’ll harden back up as soon as it cools.
This was delicious! It didn’t last long for an office party! How long can it stay out of the refrigerator if giving as gifts?
I’d say it shouldn’t stay out for more than an hour or so considering it has cream cheese in it. Glad you liked it!!
Is a 8 x 8 pan om to use? Is that a 3 cup pan?
8″x8″ should be fine! You just want it to be at least 3 cups but bigger is ok too.
Is this white sugar or powered sugar?
white granulated sugar!
Ive made this and melted choc Hershey bars… Poured on top of cream cheese then caramel. CRAZY GOOD STUFF
LOVE the idea of adding chocolate!
It’s says three cup serving dish. Should i triple recipe.for an 8×10 pan?
Yes, that sounds correct!
Is this ok to prepare the day before?
You can prepare the cream cheese and caramel part the day before, then sprinkle the toffee bits over the top right before you serve it to keep them crunchy. You probably will also want to let the dip sit at room temp for about 15-20 minutes before you serve it just to take the chill off and make it easier to scoop up. Hope that helps!
What is toffee bites and what is a replacement if can’t find any
Toffee bits come in a bag in the baking aisle near the chocolate chips. If you can’t find them, simply buy a few toffee candy bars like heath or skor bar and chop them up!
I use butterscotch or peanut butter chips. I freeze them and toss into food processor for a quick spin just to make them smaller pieces. then I pour out onto the dip. they thaw in seconds!
Yum that sounds delicious!
Could you make your own caramel for this?
Yes you could, you would just want to make sure that’s on the thicker side!
I LOVE how easy this is and omg it sounds delicious. Will be making it soon!!
what is your secret for keeping the apples fresh and pretty?
Toss them in a little lemon juice, the citric acid slows down the browning process!
I’ve also poured sprite or 7-up over them. It keeps them from browning
Putting sliced apples in a cup of water with 1 1 0r2 tbsp of honey works
let them sit in sprite and it works too and doesn’t alter the taste. I do this with the apples my kids take to school
I place apple slices in pineapple juice to stop them from turning brown. Will leave them in the juice until I’m ready to serve.
Apple slices in a salt water bath for 5 minutes keeps them from turning brown.
I dip mine in orange juice. It’s a little sweeter than the lemon juice.
Soak them in Sprite for a couple minutes and they won’t turn brown.
A GREAT way to keep them fresh without using straight up lemon juice is to use a can of 7-Up or other similar soda. In a gallon bag, dump the soda, and as you slice the apples, dump them in, they will not turn brown, will not affect the taste adversely either!
This looks perfect for fall! My family will love this!
Something else you can use in place of toffee bits is smash up Skor bars, about 4 of them will do the trip, I make this very delicious and crowd winning recipe with every family gathering, delish!
Great idea!
I have used the chocolate covered toffee bits.
Yummy. 💜 Great idea.