Rich, sweet, and creamy Apple Dip is easy and delicious for parties and snacks! Ready in minutes from a few ingredients, it’s an addictive dip for apples, pretzels, and more!

Delicious dips are always a favorite in my house for snacking and get-togethers. I’ve noticed that where I place the dips and snacks is where the crowd will gather! Cold dips like this apple dip and cookie dough dip are sweet treats, while some savory cold dips like southern pimento cheese and shrimp dip are popular, too. Hot dips like queso and buffalo chicken dip are crowd favorites as well.

Sliced apples surround and are dipped into a bowl of creamy apple dip.

This Easy Apple Dip is one I’ve made for so many years for showers, tailgates, parties, and gatherings, as well as family snacking. It’s always a favorite, and no one seems to tire of it. Mixing up the dip takes less than 5 minutes and requires only a few ingredients. While it’s called apple dip (other names are caramel apple dip, cream cheese dip, brown sugar apple dip, and more), it’s delicious with much more than apples! It does have a sweet, somewhat tangy caramel taste, so enjoy it with lots of fruit, pretzels, and more.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and Easy – Whip up this much-loved dip in less than 5 minutes in one bowl.
  • Simple Ingredients – Just five common ingredients needed to make this delicious dip!
  • Delicious Flavor – This dip is smooth, rich, creamy, sweet, and tangy from the cream cheese.

How to Make Apple Dip

This delicious dip is made with just five ingredients and is ready in minutes! 

Ingredients

Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.

  • Cream Cheese – Let the cream cheese soften to room temperature. Use a block of cream cheese instead of the whipped kind in a tub.
  • Brown Sugar – Use either light or dark brown sugar.
  • Sugar  – Granulated sugar
  • vanilla extract – Use homemade vanilla or a quality store-bought vanilla.
  • Salt – Just a pinch of Kosher salt enhances sweetness and flavor.

Recipe Variation: Mix in a few toffee bits for a Toffee Apple Dip with a slightly crunchy texture or a sprinkle of apple pie spice for a delicious variation for fall.

Can You Use a Sugar Substitute?

Yes! You can absolutely use an equal amount of brown sugar substitute and sugar substitute if you prefer. 

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Mix. Add the softened cream cheese, brown sugar, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt to a mixing bowl. Using a hand mixer, blend until smooth, well combined, and fluffy.
  2. Serve. Transfer the dip to a serving bowl and serve with sliced fruit or pretzels.

Keep Apple Slices from Turning Brown

Mix a water bath. Combine water with lemon juice (or lime or pineapple juice) in a large bowl in the following ratio for enough mixture to completely cover the apple slices.

Ratio: 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to 1 cup water

Cover and Soak. Place the apple slices in the water bath, covering them with the water mixture. Allow apples to soak for about 5 minutes.

Drain water. Take the apple slices out of the water bath, allowing them to drain before serving.

Serve with dip. Place the apple slices alongside the dip and serve. The acidic nature of the lemon juice and water bath should prevent the apple slices from browning for a few hours. 

What to Serve with Apple Dip?

  • Sliced Apples – I like to use a mixture of sweet and tart apples. Sweet apples like Honeycrisp and Fuji and a few tart apples like Granny Smith.
  • Sliced Pears – Use a firm pear and slice for dipping. You can use the same method to prevent browning as provided.
  • Other fruits – Pineapple, grapes, melon, and more.
  • Graham Crackers or Buttery Crackers
  • Gingersnaps
  • Pretzels – I love to serve the small twisted pretzels with this dip. The salty exterior of the pretzels tastes fantastic with the sweet, tangy dip.
Apple slice dipped into apple dip in white bowl, surrounded with more slices.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of cream cheese should I use for apple dip?

A full-fat block of cream cheese will work best. I would not suggest a fat-free cream cheese as it may not achieve the creamy, fluffy texture that is most delicious in this dip.

What other foods are good with apple dip?

Fruit such as pears, pineapple, and grapes are delicious. Pretzels, graham crackers, gingersnaps, or buttery crackers are great to serve with fruit and this dip.

Here’s my Easy Apple Dip Recipe. Be sure to make it soon (and often!).

Easy Apple Dip Recipe

5 from 8 votes
Easy Apple Dip Recipe – Sweet, creamy Apple Dip is easy and delicious for parties and snacks! Ready in minutes from just a few ingredients, it's an addictive dip for apples, pretzels, and more!
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 3 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients 

  • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • pinch Kosher salt

Instructions 

  • Add the softened cream cheese, brown sugar, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt to a mixing bowl. Using a hand mixer, blend until smooth, well combined, and fluffy – about 2 minutes.
  • Transfer the dip to a serving bowl and serve with sliced apples, pears, other fruit, graham crackers, or pretzels.

Notes

This recipe makes about 1 1/2 cups of apple dip. You can increase the recipe as needed.

Storage Tips:

To make ahead or store: Place the dip in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To serve: Remove the dip from the refrigerator, allow it to reach room temperature, and serve. It will be easier to dip once it has been out of the fridge for about 10 minutes or so.
What to Serve With Apple Dip
Serve with apple or pear slices, graham crackers, pretzels, and more! 
 

Nutrition

Calories: 102kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 19mg | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Enjoy!
Robyn xo

Welcome to Add A Pinch

About Robyn

Robyn Stone is a cookbook author, wife, mom, and passionate home cook. Her tested and trusted recipes give readers the confidence to cook recipes the whole family will love. Robyn has been featured on Food Network, People, Southern Living, and more.

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Recipe Review




22 Comments

    1. Leah, for a natural alternative to sugar, I sometimes like to use an equal amount of coconut sugar. You can also use your favorite sugar and brown sugar substitute. I haven’t made this with honey but the substitution for each cup of sugar is 1/2 to 2/3 cup of honey. Several people have said they do use honey instead of sugar. I hope this helps.

  1. 5 stars
    I love this dip! I’ve made it twice in the past two weeks. I try pretending it’s good for me since I eat apples with it. HA. Thanks!

  2. Robyn: I just joined your website – I’m really excited to try ALL your recipes. I’m so glad I found a great ‘Southern’ cook. My grandson LOVES apples and I saw your apple dip – sounds delicious. For this and other ‘sweet’ treats you have where sugar is involved, could you please suggest the best ‘sugar substitute” that can be used? How about a little honey or agave nectar? Or should I stick with the coconut or sacanat sugars (which was just asked) ?? Thank you so much for caring enough to share your delicious recipes which have been ‘family approved’ – in addition to the nice compliments from your fan!! That’s a wonderful reference. Can’t wait to get your book – Congrats!!

    1. You are so sweet, Debra! Thanks so much for all of your kindness! I really hope you like the recipes!
      For a natural alternative to sugar, I sometimes like to use coconut sugar. I hope this helps! xo