A fall dessert dip made with a sweet cream cheese layer topped with caramel sauce and chopped peanuts. Deliciously pairs with green and red apples.

Caramel Apple Dip with Peanuts - Scooping with Green Apple

Fall is in the air 🍂 and that means one thing – it’s time for pumpkin spice, apple picking, and of course, caramel apples! What better way to enjoy caramel apples than with this creamy caramel apple dip?

Layered with sweet cream cheese, caramel sauce, and chopped peanuts—this dessert dip is dangerously delicious and the perfect fall appetizer, snack, or dessert.

Dipping Green Apple in Caramel Apple Dip in Bowl with Apple Slices on Platter

All you need is a handful of ingredients and about 20 minutes for this easy homemade caramel apple dip. If you are entertaining larger groups, you will want to double, maybe even triple, this recipe.

Ingredients for Creamy Caramel Apple Dip

  • 8oz block cream cheese
  • 1/3 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 16 oz jar caramel
  • 1/4 cup chopped peanuts
  • 5-6 sliced apples
Apples, Peanuts, Cream Cheese, Sugar, Vanilla, Caramel Ingredients

Caramel: we use Mrs. Richardson’s caramel dessert sauce in a jar (you can find it in the ice cream topping section of your grocery store). However, you can really use any caramel sauce or caramel dip (commonly in the produce section during the fall). If you have leftover caramel – this is the perfect way to use it up!

Sugar: you can substitute the powdered sugar with brown sugar or granulated sugar if you are in a pinch and out of powdered sugar.

Green and Red Apples Close Up with Caramel and Cream Cheese

Supplies

  • Medium mixing bowl
  • Electric hand mixer or stand mixer (optional)
  • Mixing spoon
  • Rubber spatula
  • Serving dish
  • Platter for apples and other dippers

Serving dish: you can get creative with the type of dish you use – a small bowl or shallow dish. Our favorite is a wider/shallow bowl. Keep in mind you are working with 8 ounces of cream cheese and 16 ounces of caramel, so you don’t want to go too big unless you plan to double or triple the recipe.

Here are the serving bowls and plates you see in the pictures (the perfect size for this recipe, not to mention they are super cute):

Ceramic stoneware 7″ bowl / Ceramic stoneware 7″ appetizer plates – speckled egg white

Electric hand or stand mixer: you can certainly use a mixing spoon, but an electronic hand or stand mixer makes this dip even easier!

How to Make Caramel Apple Dip with Cream Cheese

Let’s get started! Follow these simple steps to make this delicious dip.

Step 1 | Take cream cheese out to soften

First, take out the cream cheese ahead of time and let it soften. In the meantime, pull out the serving dish and have it ready. Then gather all of the other ingredients and wash the produce.

Step 2 | Mix cream cheese, vanilla, and powdered sugar

Once the cream cheese is softened, add it to a medium-sized mixing bowl. Then add the vanilla extract and powdered sugar.

Cream Cheese Layer Ingredients in Bowl

Mix until the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla are well blended. Using an electric hand mixer or stand mixer makes this quick and easy. But you can use a mixing spoon if needed.

Hand Mixer Blending Sweet Cream Cheese Layer in Glass Bowl

Step 3 | Add mixture to a serving dish

Then, add the cream cheese mixture to the serving dish. Use a spatula to spread it evenly around the dish.

Spreading Cream Cheese Mixture in Serving Bowl with Rubber Spatula

Step 4 | Pour caramel over the cream cheese layer

Next, microwave the caramel for a few seconds to make it easier to pour. Add the caramel sauce on top of the cream cheese layer and spread it out evenly around the dish as well.

Topping Cream Cheese Layer with Caramel Sauce

Step 5 | Top with peanuts

Finally, take the chopped peanuts and sprinkle them over the caramel layer. The amount of chopped peanuts will depend on the dish you use and how much surface area of caramel you have to work with. We used about a 1/4 cup of peanuts.

Final Layer of Chopped Peanuts on Top of Caramel in White Speckled Serving Bowl

Step 6 | Chill in the fridge

Cover and chill in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.

Caramel Apple Dip in Bowl with Scoop Gone and Red and Green Apples Fanned Around the Bowl

Step 7 | Serve with apple slices

Right before serving, chop the apple slices and prepare any other dippers you’d like to add (see our list of delicious ideas below). Arrange on a serving platter.

🍎 To keep apples from browning – see our tips and tricks.

And now you have a delicious dip for fall get-togethers and holidays that your family and friends will love. Enjoy! 🍂

Caramel Apple Dip on Serving Plates with Apple Slices

How can I stop apples from turning brown?

If you cannot cut the apple slices right before you serve this dip, here are a few simple tricks that can help keep your apples looking fresh and delicious.

  1. Salt bath (preferred method): adding the apple slices to a salt bath can keep them from turning brown without altering the taste. Mix one gallon of cold water with 1/2 teaspoon salt, add apples for 5 minutes, drain, and then add to an airtight container until you’re ready to serve.
  2. Lemon-lime soda: tossing apple slices in lemon-lime soda can help prevent browning and not affect the taste.
  3. Lemon juice: some people swear by using lemon juice, but be careful because the apples may get extra tart or taste too much like lemon juice. Be sure to dilute the lemon juice with water 1 cup of water to 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. You can also substitute lemon juice with lime or orange juice.
  4. Fruit preserve powder: for example, Fruit Fresh is a powder product made by Ball to prevent browning and preserve the flavor of cut apples and other fruit. Other brands make similar products.
Wooden Spoon Serving Scoop of Caramel Apple Dip in Speckled White Bowl

What goes with caramel dip?

Wondering what to dip in caramel dip? This caramel apple dip is so versatile you can serve it with much more than apples. Here are a few of our favorite dippers.

  • Granny smith apples
  • Red apples
  • Sliced pears
  • Strawberries
  • Bananas
  • Graham crackers
  • Vanilla wafers

What type of fruit is best for dipping in caramel? We love to dip strawberries, bananas, apples, and pears in caramel sauce.

Caramel Apple Dip in the Center of a White Plate with Apples Fanned Around

Other topping ideas

We love a classic caramel apple with chopped peanuts, but there are plenty of other toppings you can use for the final layer of this dip. Here are a few tasty ideas.

  • Chocolate chips
  • Mini M&Ms
  • Toffee bits – Heath bar
  • Sprinkles
  • Coarse sea salt for a salted caramel dip
  • Crushed Oreos
  • Chopped pecans
  • Shredded coconut
  • Crushed pretzels
  • Butterfinger bits

How long does caramel apple dip last?

We recommend storing this dip in the fridge in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days, max of up to a week. Because it contains cream cheese, do not leave this dish sitting out at room temperature for more than a few hours, especially not overnight. (Although sugar is supposed to act as a preservative, we err on the side of caution it comes to food safety.)

Print
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Caramel Apple Dip with Peanuts - Scooping with Green Apple

Easy Caramel Apple Dip

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Creamy caramel apple dip layered with sweetened cream cheese, caramel sauce, and chopped peanuts. Perfect for a fall dessert, snack, or appetizer.

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 8oz block cream cheese
  • 1/3 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 16 oz jar caramel
  • 1/4 cup chopped peanuts
  • 56 sliced apples

Instructions

  1. Place the softened cream cheese in a medium mixing bowl
  2. Add the vanilla extract and powdered sugar and mix until well blended.
  3. Spoon the cream cheese mixture into a serving dish. Use a spatula to spread it out evenly.
  4. Microwave the caramel for a few seconds (to make it easier to pour).
  5. Add the caramel on top of the cream cheese layer and use a spatula to spread it evenly.
  6. Finally, sprinkle the chopped peanuts over the caramel layer.
  7. Cover and chill in the fridge until ready to serve.
  8. Right before serving, slice the apples and prepare any other dippers (see list of yummy ideas). Arrange on a serving platter.

Notes

  • The amount of chopped peanuts you use will depend on the dish you use and how much surface area of caramel you have to work with. We used about 1/4 cup.
  • To keep apples from browning – read these tips.
  • Author: Kelsey Restemayer
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: No-Bake
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 382
  • Sugar: 64.8 g
  • Sodium: 370.5 mg
  • Fat: 12.2 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 69.8 g
  • Protein: 4.2 g
  • Cholesterol: 28.7 mg
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Final Thoughts

If you’re in the mood for a sweet and easy fall dessert, this caramel apple dip is perfect. It takes just minutes to put together, and it’s always a hit with guests. Plus, there are endless ways to customize it using different toppings and dippers. So go ahead and give it a try – and be sure to bookmark this page!

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Have You Tried This Recipe? Please rate it in the comments and let us know your thoughts!

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Caramel Apple Dip with Green and Red Apple Slices and Text Overlay

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