Caramel Apple Cheesecake Dip
- By Amy Dong
- Updated Sep. 11, 2025
We love this caramel apple cheesecake dip for fall parties. It’s creamy, layered, and totally indulgent. Best of all, it takes only 5 minutes to make using just two ingredients!
In This Article
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Amy’s Notes
This Caramel Apple Cheesecake Dip is my go-to when I need a fast, festive appetizer for fall gatherings. Here’s why I love it for parties:
- Just Two Ingredients: Cream cheese and caramel sauce are all it takes. Layer them up and you’ve got a dip that looks and tastes like you spent way more time on it.
- Sweet and Creamy: The combination of soft cream cheese and rich salted caramel is everything. It’s smooth, tangy, and just the right amount of sweet, a lot like my Caramel Apple Baked Donuts.
- Snack Board Star: It’s perfect with crisp apple slices, but we also love it with gingersnaps, pears, and salty pretzel chips. There’s never a wrong pairing.
- Zero Stress: I can throw this together in five minutes, chill it until party time, and it’s always ready to go. Like our One Bowl Apple Cake, it’s one of the easiest things I make for gatherings.
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Cream Cheese Spread – The tub-style spread gives this dip a soft, fluffy base that’s perfectly scoopable straight from the fridge.
- Salted Caramel Sauce – Sweet and rich with a hint of salt, this silky caramel pairs beautifully with the tang of cream cheese for an irresistible combo. You can go for storebought or homemade salted caramel sauce.
Substitutions And Variations
Here are some of our favorite substitutions and variations:
- Flavored Cream Cheese: For more flavor, try using honey pecan, pumpkin spice, or brown sugar cinnamon cream cheese. These add a little seasonal flair without needing extra toppings.
- Toppings: We love adding some chopped nuts or candied pecans on top for a sweet-salty crunch that adds contrast and texture.
- Stir Instead: Rather than layering the cream cheese spread and caramel sauce, you can simply stir it into a smooth and creamy caramel dip.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- Spread one-third of the cream cheese into a serving dish, then spoon one-third of the caramel sauce on top. Repeat this layering two more times.
- Cover and chill until ready to serve. For a smooth version, you can stir the cream cheese and caramel together instead of layering.
- Right before serving, sprinkle with chopped roasted nuts or cinnamon-sugar pecans for added crunch. Serve with plenty of sliced apples, pears, pretzel crisps, or gingersnaps.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
How To Prep Ahead
Take a look at our best prep-ahead strategies for this recipe:
- Assemble Entirely Ahead: You can layer the cream cheese and caramel sauce up to 1 day in advance. Cover tightly and keep chilled until ready to serve. Just add the toppings (like candied nuts) right before serving so they stay crisp.
- Pre-Slice the Fruits: Slice your apples and pears a few hours ahead of time. Toss them in a few splashes of orange or pineapple juice to keep them from browning without making them too tart. Store them in an airtight bag or container in the fridge until serving.
Caramel Apple Cheesecake Dip
This Caramel Apple Cheese Dip is the perfect easy appetizer for fall parties. Be sure to have plenty of sliced apples, as everyone will go back for more.
Ingredients
- 8 oz plain cream cheese spread, from tub
- 10 oz salted caramel sauce, store-bought or homemade
- Topping: roasted nuts, chopped, or candied pecans
For Serving:
- apples, sliced
- pears, sliced
- ginger snaps
- pretzels
Instructions
- In a medium-small serving dish, layer one-third of the cream cheese followed by one-third of the caramel sauce.
- Serve with plenty of freshly sliced apples, pears, ginger snaps, or pretzel chips.
Notes
- You can opt to stir the cream cheese spread and salted caramel together into a smooth, velvety dip in lieu of layering.
- As a variation, try a flavored cream cheese spread such as pumpkin spice or brown sugar cinnamon.
- To keep sliced apples looking fresh, toss them with generous splashes of orange juice or pineapple juice (or any 100% juice blend that has a good amount of acidity). Using acidic fruit juices instead of lemon juice helps sliced apples from tasting too tart.
- Offer a mix of dippers like apple slices, pears, ginger snaps, and pretzel crisps to give everyone something they’ll love.
- This recipe is part of our Party Appetizer Recipes Collection.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 147kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 252mg | Potassium: 23mg | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 301IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 51mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use block cream cheese instead of the tub version?
The spreadable cream cheese from a tub works best here because it’s softer and easier to layer or stir. If using block cream cheese, let it come fully to room temperature and beat it until smooth before using.
How do I keep the apples from turning brown?
Toss apple slices with a splash of orange juice, pineapple juice, or any juice with natural acidity. It keeps the apples fresh without making them too tart, unlike lemon juice.
Can I mix the cream cheese and caramel together instead of layering?
Yes, absolutely. Stirring them together makes a smooth and creamy dip that’s perfect for scooping. It’s just as delicious as the layered version.
How long does this caramel apple cheesecake dip keep?
It will keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store leftovers in an airtight container. Stir before serving again.
More to Cook And Eat
- Apple Cake with Caramel – This caramel apple cake is such a gem. It’s super moist, tender, and brimming with warm spices and plummy apples.
- The Best Apple Pie Bars – These are the best apple pie bars you’ll sink your teeth into this fall. These apple pie bars contain a buttery, flaky double-crust, with a cinnamony apple filling.
- Apple Bread Pudding – This Apple Bread Pudding is perfect for breakfast or dessert. It’s made with fluffy bread, apples, and an applesauce custard for an utterly delicious bread pudding.
- Apple Butter Recipe – This Apple Butter Recipe is healthy, delicious, and so easy to make in a slow cooker.