Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Spread Recipe
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This easy Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Spread is the perfect sweet touch to a tailgating menu or any gathering of friends. It’s quick and easy to put together and the ingredients are basic enough to keep on hand for last minute entertaining.
Years ago a good friend of mine told me all about this super easy Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Spread. She said she served it at a tailgating event and watched it be devoured right before her eyes. So we tried and she was right. This easy spread is sneaky good. I mean really good. And it could not be simpler to make. Seriously, it’s so easy. It’s sort of like cheating. Okay, so it is totally cheating. A little bit of sweet cheating, plus a little bit of simple food prep cheating makes one great addition to your next party or gathering. Everything in moderation, right?
How easy is it, you ask? Three ingredients, plus about three minutes is all it takes (if that long) to put this sweetened up cream cheese spread together. Of course you’ll need more time to cut up the apples or pears or whatever you want to serve it with. Maybe just a spoon perhaps? I jest. Or do I?
Ingredients for Easy Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Spread
- Cream Cheese
- Caramel Sauce
- Toffee Bits
- Sliced Apples or Sliced Pears or Pretzels (or all of them!)
How to Make Easy Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Spread
- Begin with some cream cheese. Place a block of cream cheese on a platter.
- Next, drizzle the top of the cream cheese with caramel sauce. Homemade caramel sauce or store bought will do just fine. You do you.
- Then sprinkle all of it with a generous amount of toffee bits.
- Serve with sliced apples, pears or pretzels. (Here’s a handy tip for keeping sliced apples or pears fresh until ready to serve: Slice them thin, then toss with a little bit of fresh lemon or lime juice, store in airtight container or zip-top plastic bag and keep refrigerated until ready to serve.)
See what I mean? That is about as simple as it gets. But don’t let the simpleness of this Easy Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Spread fool you. It’s sneaky satisfying. You’ll see. I promise.
The simplicity of this Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Spread makes it quite perfect for tailgating. Of course you don’t have to be in a parking lot to enjoy it. Serve this cream cheese spread inside of your home for your next get-together and watch everyone cheer, even if there isn’t a football game on! The ingredients are basic enough to keep on hand for last minute entertaining, so be sure to stock up during your next trip to grocery store.
P.S. Again, you can certainly use store-bought caramel sauce, but if you have some extra time, this Salted Caramel Sauce recipe is my favorite and such a great addition for so many other treats or maybe warm beverages, like hot chocolate or coffee!
More simple treats perfect for entertaining:
Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Spread Recipe
Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Spread
This easy party spread is super satisfying and so easy to make and perfect for any fall entertaining.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1/2 cup (or more) caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 1/2 cup (or more) toffee bits
- sliced apples, pears, pretzels for serving (at least 4-5 apples)*
Instructions
- Place cream cheese on a serving dish. If you'd like, shape into a round and indent in the center to hold more caramel. Pour as much caramel sauce as you want evenly over cream cheese. Sprinkle with a generous helping of toffee bits.
- Serve with sliced apples, pears, or pretzels.
Notes
* Keep sliced apples or pears fresh until ready to serve by tossing the slices with a little bit of fresh lemon or lime juice. Then store in an airtight container or zip-top plastic bag and keep refrigerated until ready to serve. The fresh juice keeps them from turning brown and adds a bit of flavor too.
I just got my annual box of ginger snaps and I think this would be great spread on those.
Oh yes, Janet! The perfect combination.
This looks delicious and so easy to make! Definitely have to try this one!
Looking at the ingredient list for this dip, I knew that I would like it because logically all of the flavors compliment each other, however, when I actually prepared it, I was so blown away by how good it was! I used apples and I’m sure that that’s all I will ever use for it and I placed my cream cheese in the microwave for about 10 seconds alone and then another 10 with the caramel over it. Delicious!
It so yummy, K! Your 10 seconds in the microwave tip is perfect. Thank you!
Have to try this! Yummy.
I’m considering making this with goats cheese instead of cream cheese. Do you think those flavors would work together?
Thanks!
This looks so yummy I can’t wait to try it.. Shared it on a couple friends facebook wall as well i think they will love it too…
I love this recipe, but slightly modify mine. First, I mix all the ingredients in my Kitchenaid – presentation maybe isn’t as pretty but then everything is mixed perfectly. 🙂 I use crushed Heath bars instead of the toffee bits and add mini chocolate chips. I dip grannysmith apples, but my husbands favorite thing to dip in this is pretzels!! Everytime we are having a family get-together I get asked at least once, “You’re bringing your whole dip, right?”
*Apple, not whole.
Erica,
Would love to have your recipe. Thanks!
I served this at a reunion last week n so many people askd for the recipe..Simplist thing i have ever made…
Do you think this would be good with vanilla wafers? Thanks for the recipe!!
this looks great and I’d love to make it for a party this weekend, but I have a couple of kids coming that are allergic to nuts. Any ideas for a nut-free topping? Last time I checked, toffee bits may contain nuts 🙁
My friend made a block with JUST the cream cheese and the caramel sauce for a relative with a peanut allergy and it was still AMAZING!!! 🙂
Hello all, does the cream cheese need to be at room temperature or fresh from the fridge??????
I had this at a recent wedding shower and it was delicious. I am planning to take this to holiday gatherings this season.
Just ran across this recipe and looks delicious. Planning observing it for an upcoming party. What type of apples would you suggest to serve with it? I saw Granny Smith in the comments. Any others?
Honey Crisp, Fuji, and Gala would be nice.
Thank you
Saw the comment on goat cheese — anyone try? If so, how did it work?
I wonder if this would be better if you made a diced baked caramel apple topping on goat cheese instead, I think goat cheese tastes better with warm fruit on top. Either way, let us know how it turned out.
This looks beautiful have my Thanksgiving meal all planned and have started it do this will differently be own the table for Christmad
Does the cream cheese need to be at room temperature when serving?
No. The softer it is the easier it is to spread but room temperature is not necessary.
Wowzas! This was sooo easy and delicious! This treat is now a staple in our house for get-together!! It’s especially good when you have a pretzel and green apple with the dip.
I know I may sound crazy! But to cut down on the sweetness a little I topped it with pecans instead of the toffee bits, and it was still delicious ! Thanks for this quick and easy recipe! Loved it.
Can’t wait to try this. However, I don’t love salted caramel. Can I just eliminate the kosher salt? Thanking you in advance for your response.
Yes, you may eliminate the salt.
This recipe will be perfect for my family gathering. Thanks for share, can’t wait to try this