Caramel Apple Cheesecake Dip

Today’s recipe was originally intended for our camping blog - 2 Nerds in a Truck - as it’s a recipe we MOST often make while on the road, in the RV.

Personally, I think its appeal should go much further than camping spaces, and really - now that the main camping season is over, we’ll be making it at home more often than not.

Anyway, this recipe was inspired by my Maple Caramel Apples recipe.

Maybe I’m just a big stereotype, but I’ll put maple syrup in or on pretty much anything, and I *especially* love it with apples.

We’re right in the height of apple season at the moment, and my favourite - Mutsu apples - are absolutely FABULOUS with this easy caramel apple dip.

It’s a layered dip - a sweet, creamy, maple syrup “cheesecake” layer, topped with caramel sauce and Skor Bars... or whatever else you prefer.

It’s the kind of thing that you can whip up as a fun movie night snack, an easy weeknight dessert, or even as an addition to your Thanksgiving dinner spread.

It’s very versatile that way - and everyone is sure to love it!

As a note on servings: I’m only calling it 8 servings because that’s what everyone else doing a similar recipe / volume is calling it. That being the case, I don’t want my nutritional info to look terrible compared to everyone else!

Realistically, I would call this a 4 serving recipe on its own - 8 if served with other dessert options.

As my husband says... “8 servings? Maybe if they’re QUITTERS!”.

LOL - anyway, let’s look at what you’ll need to put on a batch of this Caramel Apple Cheesecake Dip, yourself!

Ingredients

This recipe uses super basic ingredients - you won’t have any trouble finding everything you need, in pretty much any grocery store.

We actually originally designed this apple dip recipe while on a camping trip, and made it a few times - so we wanted ingredients we knew we’d be able to find even in small town, very rural grocery stores.

As usual, I have a few ingredient notes for you:

Cream Cheese

I use a brick of basic cream cheese, which I soften in the microwave for a bit before beating.

You CAN use a tub of the spreadable cream cheese if you need to - we have, in a pinch - just know that you’ll have a softer dip, as a result.

Caramel Sauce

You can use homemade caramel sauce or store bought - basically, the kind of caramel or butterscotch sauce that you’ll find sold near the ice cream cones and sundae stuff.

If you’re feeling fancy, make up a batch of my Homemade Maple Caramel Sauce, and use that - it goes SO well with the maple cheesecake dip base!

Apples for Servings

Because this dip is pretty sweet, I recommend using tart - or sweet-tart- apples for dipping in it.

We used Honeycrisp apples one time - the sweetness was a bit much. (And I say that as someone with a WICKED sweet tooth!)

So, we’ll generally use Granny Smith apples when on the road, or local Mutsu apples, when they’re in season. (My absolute favourite apple of all time!)

Toppings

We usually make this with crushed Skor Bars. When making this caramel apple dip recipe at home, I’ll put them in a baggie and use a rolling pin to beat them down to size.

When we’re in the RV, I usually use the caramel jar - CAREFULLY! - instead of a rolling pin.

That said, you don’t have to use Skor bars - use whatever you like to roll caramel apples in - chopped peanuts, walnuts, and/or pecans are all great options!

Everything Else

Rounding out this recipe, you will need:

Maple Syrup
Pure Vanilla Extract
Salt

The only note here is that you want to use real maple syrup - ie: the boiled down sap from a tree. Pancake syrup or table syrup is NOT the same thing!

How to Make Cream Cheese Caramel Apple Dip

The full recipe is in the printable recipe card at the end of this post, here is a pictorial walk through:

In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer or stick blender to cream together the softened cream cheese, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt.

Spread the cream cheese mixture into a wide / shallow serving bowl or ramekin. Smooth with the back of a spoon, then cover and chill until just before you serve it.

To Serve:

Take the dip out of the fridge 15 minutes or so before serving, to allow it to warm up a little.

If your caramel sauce is pretty thick, gently heat it a little until it’s pourable.

Pour the caramel sauce over the sweetened cream cheese, spreading it out into an even layer.

Sprinkle with your choice of topping - see post for ideas - and serve with freshly sliced apples for dipping.

Leftovers

Leftovers can be covered with plastic wrap or transferred to an airtight container. Will keep in the fridge for up to a week or so.

More Gluten Free Apple Recipes

Looking for some more tasty, gluten free apple desserts? I’ve got you covered with even more easy gluten free recipes!

Apple Cinnamon Caramel Popcorn
Apple Crisp Macchiato
Campfire Baked Apples
Candy Apples
Caramel Apple Fruit Leather
Gluten Free Apple Cake
Gluten-Free Apple Crisp
Gluten Free Apple Pie
Gluten-Free Caramel Apple Pancakes
Hard Apple Cider
Maple Caramel Apples Recipe
Maple Cinnamon Apple Chips