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Cream Cheese Apple Dip
Cream Cheese Apple Dip is sweet, tangy, lusciously creamy, and sure to win the hearts of kids and adults alike. Make this simple 6-ingredient recipe in mere minutes and turn your fruit plate from a healthy afterthought to the star of your appetizer table.
Serve this cream cheese apple dip is perfect for fall parties, after school snacking and as side dip for my easy Fruit Kabobs!
Table of Contents
Why We Love This Recipe
While I’m a big fan of fresh fruit all on its own, parties often call for something a little extra special. This cream cheese apple dip is exactly what the doctor ordered. It’s sweet and tangy – sort of like a cinnamon cheesecake filling – making it the perfect accompaniment to any fruit you can imagine.
In addition to being really tasty and kid-approved, my apple dip with cream cheese is:
- Budget-Friendly. You can make a batch with less than a stick of cream cheese and just ⅛ of a tub of Greek yogurt, meaning the whole batch never costs more than about $2.50 here in Southern California.
- Quick & Easy. The instructions are literally just whip and serve. You’ll have it done in all of 5 minutes!
- Made With Just 6 Ingredients. Aside from the cream cheese and Greek yogurt, I’d bet you already have everything you need to make a batch.
Ingredients For Cream Cheese Apple Dip
As promised, this cream cheese fruit dip has a super short ingredient list. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Cream Cheese – I typically reach for full-fat dairy, but feel free to swap in low-fat cream cheese or Neufchatel cheese for a lighter dip. You can also use plant-based cream cheese if need be!
- Greek Yogurt – Plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt gives this dip an added bit of tang and a softer, more dippable consistency. Pro Tip: If you can only find regular plain yogurt, simply strain it using a mesh sieve and cheesecloth for 3-4 hours.
- Light Brown Sugar – Dark brown sugar can also be used, but it’ll have a more pronounced molasses flavor.
- Honey – Feel free to swap in maple syrup or agave nectar if you’re vegan.
- Cinnamon – For a touch of warmth.
- Vanilla – For serious dessert vibes. Vanilla powder or paste will also work!
How To Make Cream Cheese Apple Dip
Be sure to check the recipe card below for full ingredients & instructions.
This cream cheese dip recipe couldn’t be simpler to pull off. Here’s how it’s done:
- Whip It. Beat together cream cheese and yogurt until smooth, then stir in the remaining ingredients, adding honey to taste.
- Enjoy! Serve with sliced apples, pretzels, and graham crackers. Told you it was easy!
FAQs
What apples are best for dipping?
I personally prefer a mix of sweet and tart apples in a variety of colors to look nice on the plate. Some of my favorites include: Granny Smith, Fuji, Cosmic Crisp, Pink Lady, and Honeycrisp.
How do you keep apple slices from browning?
If you’ve ever had sliced apples before, you know they’re prone to oxidizing. I’ve found the best way to prevent this is by soaking them in a solution of 1 cup cold water + 1 tablespoon lemon or lime juice for 3-5 minutes. Drain, rinse, and pat dry. This should keep them looking nice for several hours!
What is the best way to slice apples?
The easiest method by far is using an apple corer, as they’ll give you perfectly even slices every time.
How To Serve
My cream cheese brown sugar apple dip is a delightful addition to any pool party or picnic spread. It’s also great for a quick after-school snack — my kids always beg me to make it!
In addition to serving with apples, graham crackers, and regular pretzels, it also pairs well with:
- Any fruit, including strawberries, bananas, and pears
- Shortbread cookies
- Gingersnaps
- Breadsticks
- Animal crackers
- Soft pretzel bites
- Waffle cone pieces
- Apple chips
It’s also great as a spread on any fruit tartines, which are one of my go-to’s for easy brunches. Slather the dip on toasted bread, load up with sliced fruit (think apples and pears, roasted grapes, fresh sliced peaches, or strawberries, to name a few), and drizzle with anything from honey to balsamic reduction, pomegranate molasses to maple syrup!
Variations
This sweet cream cheese dip is a delight as is, but you know we’re all about offering options for customization. Here are some easy variations to try:
- Caramel Apple Dip. Swirl in a few tablespoons of caramel sauce for a fall favorite in dip form!
- Toffee Apple Dip. Add crunch by including about ¼ – ⅓ cup of toffee chips.
- Vegan. Swap in dairy-free cream cheese and yogurt alternatives, trading the honey for a vegan liquid sweetener like maple syrup or agave nectar.
- Lite. Use low-fat cream cheese or Neufchatel and low-fat Greek yogurt. I’m not usually a fan of sugar-free sweeteners, but you can also replace the brown sugar with a cup-for-cup option if you prefer.
Storage
Once whipped, this cream cheese fruit dip should keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Use any leftovers for packed lunches — your kids are sure to love it!
Pro Tip: Keep apple slices from browning in the lunchbox by using a rubber band to hold the pieces together in their original shape and prevent air from getting in!
Expert Tips
- Make sure your cream cheese is nice and soft before whipping. If you forgot to take it out of the fridge in time, give it a quick 10-15 second zap in the microwave! If the cream cheese is too firm, it won’t fully combine with the yogurt and will leave you with an uneven consistency.
- Don’t slice apples more than a few hours before serving. And make sure to give them the lemon-water treatment described above to prevent them from browning!
- Consider divvying it up into individual portions for little kiddos. This will help prevent sticky fingers and double-dipping.
More Easy Snacks
If you’ve made this recipe, please come back and leave us a star rating or a comment below.
Cream Cheese Apple Dip
Cream Cheese Apple Dip is sweet, tangy and creamy. You only need 6 simple ingredients and 5 minutes to make this sweet and healthy treat.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Ingredients
- 6 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- 4 ounces Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar or more to taste
- 1-2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Beat together cream cheese and yogurt until smooth. Stir in brown sugar, cinnamon and vanilla. Add honey if desired for extra sweetness.
- Serve with sliced apples, pretzels, and graham crackers.
Notes
- This recipe yields about 1 ½ cups and can be easily doubled or even tripled using the servings amount slider in the recipe card.
- Once whipped, the dip should keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Use any leftovers for packed lunches — your kids are sure to love it!
- Keep apple slices from browning in the lunchbox by using a rubber band to hold the pieces together in their original shape and prevent air
Nutrition
Calories: 91kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 6gFat: 0.5gSaturated Fat: 0.2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gTrans Fat: 0.002gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 210mgPotassium: 121mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 17IUVitamin C: 0.03mgCalcium: 132mgIron: 0.2mg
