This Caramel Apple Dip has a fluffy cream cheese base, an ooey-gooey caramel center, and a crunchy toffee and sea salt topping – this homemade dessert dip is SO quick, easy, and delicious.
Ingredients
Less than 10 ingredients necessary for the best dessert party dip!
- Cream Cheese – the base of our dip. Cream cheese adds a tangy flavor and creamy texture. Full-fat is called for in the original recipe, but low-fat or non-fat may work in a pinch. Keep in mind, it won’t be as smooth and creamy.
- Powdered Sugar – sweetens the cream cheese just a touch to balance out the tangy flavor. Powdered sugar is best, because it doesn’t add any additional texture, so it keeps the cream cheese layer really smooth. Granulated sugar or brown sugar may work, but you’ll likely end up with a gritty texture.
- Vanilla Extract – adds a sweet flavor and richness to the dish. Pure vanilla extract is always preferred, but imitation will be fine if that’s what you have on hand.
- Salt – enhances the other flavors of the dip while also balancing out the sweetness from the sugar, cool whip, and caramel.
- Cool Whip – is whipped together with the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and salt to create a super fluffy texture! The fluffy texture is the perfect contrast to the ooey-gooey caramel. You’ll need 1 (8 oz) tub cool whip, that has been thawed in the fridge. If you’re not a lover of cool whip, try making a homemade stabilized whipped cream!
- Caramel – the MVP, so use the really good stuff here. We used 1 (16 oz) container old fashioned caramel apple dip, which you can find by the apples in the produce section at your grocery store. Canned dulce de leche, jarred caramel ice cream topping, or even homemade caramel may also be used. Whatever you’re using, make sure it’s not runny.
- Heath Toffee Bits – add an amazing crunchy texture while also enhancing the rich, caramel flavor of the dip! Heath toffee bits can be found in the baking aisle. Can’t find them? Get a few Heath bars and chop them up yourself!
- Maldon Sea Salt – a flaky finishing salt that adds a subtle crunch and cuts the sweetness of the caramel. What’s better than salted caramel?!
How to make
This dessert dip is quick and easy, which makes it even more addicting!
- Beat together cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt in a large bowl using a hand mixer, then beat in cool whip.
- Spread the mixture into a shallow serving dish, pour caramel evenly over the top, sprinkle with toffee bits and maldon sea salt, then serve immediately or chill in the fridge until ready to use.
Should caramel apple dip be served warm, room temperature, or chilled?
This recipe was intended to be enjoyed chilled or at room temperature, but I don’t see why you couldn’t make this a warm dip. It might taste like a warm cheesecake!
To bake caramel apple dip:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a non-stick square baking pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Make the cream cheese base as directed, spread into the bottom of the prepared pan, then cover with the old fashioned caramel apple dip.
- Bake in preheated oven until warm, about 15-20 minutes.
- Top with heath bits and maldon sea salt, then enjoy!
Variations
- Swap the caramel. Try butterscotch ice cream topping, hot fudge, etc.
- Play around with the toppings. Omit the heath bars and use chopped, salted peanuts, sprinkles, chocolate chips, and more!
What is the best caramel for caramel apple dip?
Old fashioned caramel dip (I used the brand Litehouse) is the best for apple dip, because it’s thick, ooey-gooey, and has a fantastic flavor. It doesn’t slide off the cream cheese layer and is thick enough to be scoop-able by the apples.
Other caramels that can be used: caramel ice cream topping, canned or homemade dulce de leche, homemade caramel.
What are the best apples to dip in caramel?
Granny Smith apples are the best apples for caramel, because they’re tart and crispy which contrasts the sweet, gooey-ness of the caramel perfectly.
Other apples for dipping: Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, etc. Anything that’s not too sweet/soft.
How do you keep apples from turning brown after slicing them?
There are many ways to keep apples for keeping apples fresh after cutting. Here is a great article on 5 Tips for How to Keep Apples From Browning.
What to serve with caramel apple dip
Apples are obviously the classic pairing for caramel apple dip, but the options are endless!
- Pretzels or pretzel thins
- Nilla wafers
- Cinnamon sugar pita chips
- Gingersnaps
- Graham crackers
- Other fruit
How to store
Leftovers can be stored at room temperature for 2 hours or covered in the fridge for up to 1 week. I don’t recommend freezing.
– Jennifer
Caramel Apple Dip
Equipment for this recipe
Ingredients
Caramel Apple Dip
- 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar sifted
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 (8 oz) tub cool whip thawed in the fridge
- 1 (16 oz) container old fashioned caramel apple dip warmed according to container directions
- 1/2 cup heath toffee bits
- Maldon sea salt
For Serving
- Sliced apples use a variety of tart, crisp apples!
- Pretzel thins
- Nilla wafers
- Cinnamon sugar pita chips
- Gingersnaps
Instructions
- Place cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt into a large bowl, then use a hand mixer to beat until the cream cheese is smooth.
- Gently beat in cool whip, then use a spatula to spread the mixture into a shallow serving dish like a pie dish or dinner plate.
- Pour the caramel dip evenly over the cream cheese mixture, sprinkle with toffee bits and maldon sea salt, then serve immediately or chill in the fridge until ready to use*.
- Serve with apples, pretzels, cookies, etc. and enjoy!
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Notes
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Nutrition Information
*Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.