If there’s one fall treat I can never pass up, it’s a caramel apple. That first bite of crisp apple coated in buttery caramel and rolled in crunchy peanuts is pure autumn bliss. The only thing I don’t love? Trying to make them at home.
That’s why I love this caramel apple cheesecake dip. When served with crisp slices of apple, it captures the sweet caramel and crunchy toppings of a classic caramel apple.
Combined with a creamy no-bake cheesecake layer, this dessert dip makes regular caramel dipping sauce next-level.
Just slice up your favorite apples (or grab graham crackers and ginger snaps) and let everyone glide them through this creamy, caramel-covered dip.
When my kids were little and we’d come home from apple-picking with baskets overflowing and this was the perfect treat to make. Best of all, it only takes minutes to prep.
Love Caramel & Crunch?
If you can’t get enough of caramel, check out my Salted Caramel Pretzel Bark recipe. It’s another easy treat perfect for fall, or anytime you want a sweet-and-salty snack!
Why You’ll Love This Caramel Apple Cheesecake Dip
Endless topping options – Keep it as simple as flaky sea salt or go all out with nuts, candies, sprinkles, toffee bits, chocolate chips, crushed candy bars, or cookie crumbles.
All the flavor of caramel apples, without the mess – No sticky hands, no caramel dripping down your chin, and no apples falling off the stick.
Shareable – Classic caramel apples are a one-person treat, but this party dip is made for groups to enjoy together.
Perfect for fall gatherings – A crowd-pleasing, no-bake dessert that feels festive throughout the fall, Halloween and Thanksgiving seasons.
Make-ahead friendly – Prep it earlier in the day and keep chilled until 30 minutes before serving.
Quick and easy – Just a handful of ingredients mixed in one bowl.
Try Another Fall Favorite
Looking for more easy apple desserts to share? My Apple Dump Cake is another simple recipe that’s perfect for fall gatherings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Cream cheese, softened
- Granulated sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Caramel sauce (such as Ghirardelli or Torani caramel sauce or Marzetti caramel dip)
- Nuts or toffee bits for topping (plus other favorite toppings)
- Apples and crackers (for dipping)
Ingredient Notes
Toppings – Chopped nut topping from the ice cream aisle is a favorite. Mini M&M’s, toffee bits, crushed cookies, or sprinkles are all fun, too.
Cream cheese – The base of the cheesecake layer. Use full-fat for the creamiest texture.
Sugar – I use granulated sugar and beat it into the cream cheese until smooth. It’s not gritty and keeps the dip creamy.
For a deeper, caramelized flavor, you can swap in brown sugar at a 1:1 ratio.
Powdered sugar works too (just add an extra tablespoon), though I don’t usually use it since it contains a little cornstarch, and I like this dip to be as smooth as possible.
Vanilla extract – Rounds out the flavors with a warm, sweet note. Vanilla bean paste works, too.
Caramel sauce – A bottled caramel sauce works beautifully, but any thick caramel sauce will do.
My go-to is Ghirardelli caramel sauce, but Marzetti caramel dip is another good option (although you may need to first loosen it in the microwave for a few seconds).
Extra Caramel Flavor
Craving more caramel goodness? Try stirring toffee bits right into the cheesecake layer. For an extra treat, crush up a Heath or Skor bar on top for a chocolate-toffee finish (so good!).
How to Make Caramel Cheesecake Apple Dip
Detailed recipe and instructions are in recipe card at bottom of post.
- Make the cheesecake base – In a medium bowl, beat softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract for 1-2 minutes until smooth and creamy.
- Spread it out – Transfer the mixture into a small, shallow dish, smoothing it into an even layer.
- Add the caramel – Warm your caramel dip slightly in the microwave if needed so it spreads easily. Pour it over the cheesecake layer and spread evenly.
- Top it off – Sprinkle peanuts, toffee bits, or your favorite toppings over the caramel.
- Serve – Serve with apple slices, graham crackers, ginger snaps, or vanilla wafers.
Making the Sweet Cream Cheese Base
Beat the cream cheese and sugar well. Don’t cut this step short, since whipping in enough air keeps the base light and fluffy.
Layering the Dessert Dip
Spread the cheesecake base into the dish, then top with caramel and your favorite crunchy add-ons before serving with apple slices.
Recipe Notes
Make ahead – The dip (minus the toppings) can be made up to 24 hours in advance and stored covered in the fridge. Let it soften for 30 minutes before serving.
Toppings – Wait to add toppings like nuts, sprinkles or crushed cookies until right before serving so they stay crunchy.
Serving dish – A small, shallow dish works perfectly so every scoop gets all the layers. Doubling the recipe? A pie plate works great.
Best Apples for Caramel Cheesecake Dip
This dip is good with just about any apple, but crisp and firm varieties hold up best for dipping. My top picks:
- Granny Smith – Tart and crisp, the perfect contrast to sweet caramel.
- Honeycrisp – Juicy, crunchy, and naturally sweet.
- Pink Lady – Balanced sweet-tart flavor that pairs beautifully with caramel.
- Fuji – Firm with a honey-like sweetness.
Apple Slicing Tip
Slice apples right before serving for the freshest look and crunch. If you need to prep them ahead, dip the slices in lemon water to help prevent browning.
Caramel Cheesecake Dip Variations
- Graham cracker crust – Press crushed graham crackers or Biscoff cookies mixed with melted butter into the bottom of the dish before adding the cheesecake layer.
- Toffee swirl – Stir Heath toffee bits into the cheesecake layer for extra caramel crunch.
- Seasonal twist – Add orange and black sprinkles for Halloween, or fall-colored sprinkles for Thanksgiving.
- Chocolate lovers – Sprinkle mini chocolate chips or drizzle melted chocolate over the caramel layer. Roughly chop Reese’s, Butterfinger, Heath or Skor bars for even more indulgence.
- Cookie crunch – Crushed Biscoff cookies or Oreos make a fun topping.
More Fall Sweet Treats to Try
- Salted Caramel Pretzel Bark
- No-Bake Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites
- Easy Apple Dump Cake (with Pie Filling)
- Pumpkin Dump Cake: Easy Fall Dessert
Caramel Apple Cheesecake Dip
This creamy caramel apple cheesecake dip starts with a fluffy cheesecake layer, topped with caramel sauce and crunchy toppings like nuts or toffee. Serve this no-bake dessert dip with crisp apples, graham crackers, and ginger snaps for a fall party favorite that captures all the flavor of a caramel apple.
Ingredients
- 1 (8 oz) cream cheese block, softened
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce (such as Ghirardelli sauce or Marzetti caramel dip)
- 1/2 cup nuts or toffee bits, (like Heath English toffee bits with or without chocolate)
Instructions
- Make the cheesecake base – In a medium bowl, beat softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract for 1-2 minutes until smooth and creamy.
- Spread it out – Transfer the mixture into a small, shallow dish, smoothing it into an even layer.
- Add the caramel – Warm your caramel dip slightly in the microwave if needed so it spreads easily. Pour it over the cheesecake layer and spread evenly.
- Top it off – Sprinkle peanuts, toffee bits, or your favorite toppings over the caramel.
- Serve – Serve with apple slices, graham crackers, ginger snaps, or vanilla wafers.
Notes
- Make ahead – The dip (minus the toppings) can be made up to 24 hours in advance and stored covered in the fridge. Let it soften for 30 minutes before serving.
- Toppings – Wait to add toppings like nuts, toffee, sprinkles, crushed Heath or Skor bars, or crushed cookies until right before serving so they stay crunchy.
- Serving dish – A small, shallow dish works perfectly so every scoop gets all the layers. Doubling the recipe? A pie plate works great.
- Dippers - Slice firm apples like Granny Smith, Honey Crisp, or Fuji. Graham crackers, ginger snaps, and vanilla wafers also are great dipping options.