I am looking at my calendar and I am truly stunned. Where is the time going?!
I truly love this time of year, as the cooler air sets in and we begin to celebrate the holidays.
But with the holidays, comes parties. LOTS OF PARTIES!!
And with parties, comes food. LOTS OF FOOD!!
I am constantly whipping up something to take here or there and seem to be constantly nibbling this time of the year. And I am not complaining about it, even it it means I need to do a few more cardio intervals!
At times, though I just need a simple and easy dish to take to gathering–and one that everyone will enjoy! Okay, I need those kind of dishes for EVERY gathering!!
Creamy Apple Dip is my go-to.
This dip is a crowd-pleaser and can be served to gluten-free guests and can be made to suit nut allergies as well. Plus, you need to serve it with apples–hello, healthy food. (So it is totally okay to pig out on this dish then, right?!!)
I am serious, aside from chopping the apples, this dish comes together in seconds. It is perfect for those last minute get togethers or an after school snack to encourage your children to eat more fresh fruit.
And did I mention it is sweetened naturally? It keeps getting better and better.
Are you ready for the recipe?
Okay, don’t blink–you will miss it!!
Caramel Apple Dip (Naturally Sweetened, Gluten-Free, & A Tip on How to Keep Apples from Browning)
Ingredients
- 1 package of Cream Cheese at room temperature
- 1 cup Greek yogurt plain
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- chopped dark chocolate and chopped peanuts optional
Instructions
-
Combine the cream cheese, syrup, and vanilla until well combined. Top with chocolate and nuts if desired and serve with apple slices.
I know there is no caramel in this dip–crazy, but the maple syrup combined with the cream cheese mimics the flavor of caramel and color of caramel perfectly. It can be our little secret.
Okay, before you ask me how you are suppose to whip this up last minute, if your cream cheese is a solid brick in the fridge, let me give you a wonderful tip.
- Get a bowl larger than the package of cream cheese and fill with hot water, place the foil-wrapped pack of cream cheese in the hot water and let sit for 1-2 minutes. This saves you the trouble of starting a fire if you try to warm up your cream cheese in the microwave before unwrapping it (I am not saying that I misplaced by brain once or twice and did just that!)
Now are you ready for another wonderful tip?
Of course you are!!
How to Keep Your Apples from Browning:
I personally, love to serve this dip with apple slices. You can serve it with pretzels,, strawberries, brownies, well anything really!!
To keep my apples nice and pretty, I slice them up and toss them with pineapple juice quickly and drain away the juice. I do NOT use lemon juice.
The pineapple juice is sweeter than lemon juice but still contains the vitamin C that is needed to stop the oxidation process–why apples go brown. I either pop open a can of pineapple slices in 100% juice and drain the slices and save for a lunch or snack and use the juice for the apples, or I almost always have pineapple concentrate in my freezer. I simply scoop a tablespoon of the concentrate out and heat for a quick second and it works just as well.
My kids totally prefer the taste of apples soaked in pineapple juice to those soaked with lemon juice–and I am willing to be most people would agree with that 🙂
So let this dish be your next party dish. It will not only be EASY, but I have a feeling it will be well loved as well!
Wow that looks amazingly easy! I will definitely be using this recipe at my next get together!
Angela,
EASY is right. And I have never left a party without the dip being licked clean 🙂
This dip looks great, and I love that this post is full of great tips! (who knew about softening the cream cheese?!) I love that it’s fairly healthy party food.
i’m definitely making this! this sounds AMAZING and so easy (right up my alley!)
I can see why this is a hit — it looks delicious! And I love your tip for keeping the apples from browning — it’s so true that lemon juice is tart. Pineapple is a great idea! 🙂
Thanks Marcie!! Yes, my kids prefer pineapple juice over lemon juice any day (as do I for these apples with this dip!)
Your Caramel Apple Dip looks delicious and a great tip to keep the apples fresh looking. Hope you are staying warm and cozy on this cold day and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
This looks so delcious and will be on my to do list. I have seen your recipe at the Simple Super Tuesday linky party!
Thanks Hadia–It is easy and delicious!!
Hello cute lady! This looks so good. Pinned. We really appreciate you taking the time to stop by our party. It wouldn’t be a party without you. Please join us on Monday at 7 pm. Happy Sunday! Lou Lou Girls
This dip looks amazing!! And thank you so much for the pineapple juice tip! I will have to start using that instead of lemon juice! Thanks so much for linking up to Creative K Kids Tasty Tuesdays. I’m pinning this to the Tasty Tuesdays Pinterest Board. We would love to have you join us again this week!
Pineapple juice is so much sweeter and kid approved then lemon juice 🙂
What a great tip! I never would have thought of using pineapple juice, but that’s brilliant!
Thanks Katie. It keeps the apples from not being bitter from lemon juice.
Great tip on the pineapple juice!
You bet Pam.
I am always looking for fast but healthy snacks for the kids – and I’m sure they are going to love this one!
This is a hit with my kids for sure.
I love the pineapple juice tip. There is nothing worse than serving brown apples at a party. This is such a great recipe! It’s easy to always have apples and cream cheese on hand ready to go. I love having something I can pull out of the fridge when company shows up or we have a last minute something or other to attend. Thank you.
Mirlanda, this would be a great thing to whip up last minute. I do that often myself.
Yummy! I am always looking for a new dip to take to a party and this is it!!!
Thanks Jennifer. I am sure the party guests will devour this.
This look fantastic! Can’t wait to try it 🙂
Thanks. It is too easy not to try!
Such a fun recipe! I love the crunchy toppings!
Thanks Lise–it adds just the right touch.
This looks so easy and tasty! We are headed to an early Halloween party in a couple weeks and I’m thinking this will be the perfect snack to take along with us!
Yea!!! This will be a huge hit for sure!
Great tips!
Thanks Megan