Baked Caramel Apple Cheesecake Dip

Quick Benefits

  • Easy to Prepare: Ready in under an hour with minimal effort.
  • Perfect for Parties: A crowd-pleasing dip ideal for holidays, potlucks, or cozy nights in.
  • Sweet & Salty Combo: Creamy, fruity, crunchy, and caramelized — all in one bite.
  • Versatile Serving: Great with cookies, crackers, fruit slices, or pretzels.

Essential Ingredients

  • 2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 can (about 1 1/2 cups) apple pie filling (chop apples if whole)
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 3 tbsp butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • Caramel sundae topping, for drizzling

Optional Dippers: Vanilla wafers, graham crackers, pretzels, apple slices, etc.

Preparation Steps

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, sour cream, and vanilla until smooth.
  3. Spread cream cheese mixture into a 10-inch pie plate.
  4. Top with chopped apple pie filling.
  5. In a small bowl, combine flour, melted butter, and brown sugar to form a crumbly streusel.
  6. Sprinkle streusel over the apple layer.
  7. Bake for 25 minutes until golden and bubbling.
  8. Drizzle with caramel sauce and serve warm with your choice of dippers.

Health Benefits

  • Apples offer fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants.
  • Dairy ingredients provide calcium and protein.
  • Portion-friendly for gatherings — helps control individual intake.
  • Customizable — reduce sugar or swap in low-fat options as needed.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve warm in the baking dish surrounded by a platter of:
    • Vanilla wafers
    • Cinnamon graham crackers
    • Pretzel rods
    • Sliced green or red apples
    • Shortbread cookies
  • Drizzle extra caramel just before serving for visual appeal and richness.
  • Sprinkle cinnamon or chopped nuts for added texture and taste.

Creative Variations

  • Add nuts: Stir in chopped pecans or walnuts into the streusel topping.
  • Swap fruit: Use peach, cherry, or berry pie filling instead of apple.
  • Make it mini: Use ramekins for individual portions at parties.
  • Use gingersnaps or chocolate graham crackers as the base of a crust layer underneath.

Storage Tips

  • Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
  • Reheat in the microwave or oven until warm — add a touch of caramel before serving again.
  • Not suitable for freezing due to dairy content texture changes.

Pro Tips

  • Let cream cheese fully soften before mixing for smoothest texture.
  • If you prefer a thicker dip, reduce the sour cream slightly.
  • Add a pinch of cinnamon to the cream cheese layer for more warm spice flavor.
  • Want more gooey texture? Add mini marshmallows on top before baking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes! Prepare everything, cover, and refrigerate. Bake right before serving.

Q: Can I make it gluten-free?
A: Absolutely. Use gluten-free flour for the streusel and choose GF dippers.

Q: Can I use homemade apple pie filling?
A: Definitely! Just make sure it’s cooled before adding it on top of the cream cheese layer.

Q: Is this best served warm or chilled?
A: Warm is best for melty caramel and creaminess, but it’s also tasty chilled!

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