Apple Brickle Dip

Savor the creamy blend of cream cheese, brown sugar, and toffee bits in apple brickle dip. Perfectly paired with tart apples, it’s the go-to for any gathering.

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About Apple Brickle Dip

Out of all the dessert dips I’ve made, this apple brickle dip is one of my favorites, hands down. And that’s saying a lot, because there are plenty of dessert dips on this site and I sing all of their praises. And I still love them in their own ways… but I love this dip more.

The real secret that makes this dip stand out?

Crushed up Heath bars. Or, as they’re also commonly known, toffee bits.

Because how can you possibly go wrong with fruit and crumbled toffee bits?

What’s in apple Brickle dip?

In order to whip up the classic caramel-apple flavor combination in dip form, you’ll need to collect the following ingredients:

• Cream cheese – Used to form the creamy base of the dip.
• Light brown sugar and powdered sugar – Adds a deep sweetness to the cream cheese. Feel free to add more or less light brown sugar or substitute it for an equal amount of powdered sugar.
• Vanilla extract – Another touch of flavor to enhance the cream cheese.
• Toffee bits – A delicious blend of toffee, almonds, and chocolate, these bits of candy add a nice crunch to the dip. You can also omit this topping if you’d like.
• Apples – Because caramel apple dip is just not complete without some sliced apples.

What type of apples should you use?

While any type of apple will do, it’s best to use slightly sour and tart green apples to balance out the sweetness of the caramel. Granny Smith apples are probably the best fit.

How do you keep apples from browning?

This dip is best served with fresh apples for dipping, and if you plan on leaving this dip out for your guests, you’ll be faced with a common problem:

How do you keep cut apples from turning brown?

There are a couple of different ways you can do this and I’ve listed my favorites below. Some of these may impact the taste of the fruit, but it should be very minor. Personally, I think it’s a small price to pay to keep your painstakingly sliced fruit from looking unappetizing. Because really, what does a hint of flavor matter if no one eats them at all? It’s better to have a good presentation so no one hesitates to enjoy the dip.

• Choose Varieties that Brown Less
  • If you’d like to limit browning altogether, there are some varieties of apples that naturally brown less quickly than others, such as Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, and Cortland.
• Keep Slices Submerged:
  • After cutting, keep the apple slices submerged in a bowl of cold water until you’re ready to use or serve them.
• Lemon Juice:
  • Add sliced apples to a large bowl.
  • Pour anywhere from 1/3 cup to 1/2 cup lemon juice over apples, then toss to coat.
  • Let them sit for three to six minutes, then drain and store.
• Lemon Water:
  • Mix 1 part lemon juice with 3 parts water in a large bowl.
  • Add apple slices to the bowl, submerging them in the lemon water solution.
  • Let them sit for three to six minutes, then drain, rinse, and store.
• Saltwater:
  • Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of salt in four cups of water.
  • Soak the apple slices in salt water for about five minutes.
  • Drain the slices and rinse them under cool water to remove any salty taste.
• Honey Water:
  • Mix two tablespoons of honey with one cup of water.
  • Add apple slices to the bowl, submerging them in the honey water solution.
  • Let them soak for 30 seconds, then drain and store.
• Club Soda:
  • Add apple slices to a large bowl and submerge in club soda.
  • Let them sit for three to six minutes, then drain, rinse, and store.

What else can you serve with this dip?

This dip is designed to be served with fresh apples, but don’t let that limit you – there are plenty of other options! Here are some of my favorites:

• Other easy-to-handle fruits, like strawberries, cubes of pineapple, and melons like cantaloupe and honeydew.
• Nilla Wafers
• Graham Crackers
• Sugar Cookies
• Gingersnap Cookies
• Cubes of pound cake

Can you make this dip in advance?

Yes, you totally can!

Once prepared, transfer the dip to a sealed container and store it in the refrigerator for up to three to five days.

This dip will firm up once chilled, so before serving, allow the dip to return to room temperature by letting it sit on the counter for about 30  minutes.

How long is it good for?

Once prepared, this dip can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to three to five days.

Can you freeze apple brickle dip?

Due to the cream cheese in this recipe, I cannot recommend freezing this dip. The freezing and thawing process causes the texture of cream cheese to change, and in most cases, it will ruin the smooth creaminess of this dip.

How long can you leave out a dessert dip?

Dips are designed to be a “serve it and forget it” type of snack, but be sure you’re also following food safety guidelines.

For most foods, the general rule of thumb is that a perishable item should not be in the “danger zone” for more than two hours. And by “danger zone”, this is usually at or just above room temperature. This dip will be served at about room temperature, and that should give you a maximum of two hours to leave it out, depending on any outside factors, such as the temperature of the room.

As the party goes on, you can return the dip to the refrigerator once you get past the two-hour mark. If your guests still want more dip, let it chill for at least 30 minutes before bringing it back out again.

Notes & tips for apple brickle dip

• This dip is made using softened cream cheese to make mixing easier, and it also makes for an especially creamy dip. However, if you’d like the dip to be a bit firmer, put it in the serving bowl of your choice and refrigerate for 30 minutes, checking the consistency until it’s as firm as you’d like it to be.
• If you can’t find toffee bits in-store, you can either shop for them online.
• As an alternative to toffee bits, try crushed and crumbled Heath bars. This will give the dip a combination of toffee, chocolate, and almonds.

Other great dessert dips

More great recipes featuring apples

How to make apple brickle dip

This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. If you’re looking for the full recipe measurements and instructions, scroll down to Recipe Details.

Step 1 – Using a stand mixer (or hand mixer + large bowl), add the cream cheese, brown sugar, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Whip them together on medium-high speed until ultra creamy.

Step 2 – Turn off the mixer and pour in the toffee bits. Use a spatula to thoroughly fold and mix the candy in with the cream cheese.

Step 3 – Serve and enjoy!