Last week I shared my entertaining-inspired fall home tour. It was fun to show you around my dining room, porch, and kitchen all decked out for the season and set up with fall-inspired snacks. I hope you’ve enjoyed the Baked Pumpkin Donuts and the Fall Harvest Pasta Salad. Today we’re making the Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Spread. (My recipe for the Apple Pie Sangria is coming tomorrow.)
Late last fall, I had this Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Spread at a friend’s house. Since then I’ve been looking forward to making and sharing it with you.
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You know how much I love a simple recipe, and it doesn’t get much easier than this. With only four ingredients and less than five minutes of prep time, this seasonally tasty idea is perfect for any impromptu gathering. The caramel and apples are quintessentially fall. Toss in crunchy toffee bits and cream cheese, and it’s a match made in heaven.
Making this is very simple. Place a block of cream cheese on a serving plate. Then, using the back of a spoon, create a small well in the top of the cheese to hold caramel sauce. This is an important step because otherwise all of the caramel will just run off the cream cheese and pool on the plate.
Finally, spoon on your caramel and sprinkle with toffee bits.
I did include the amounts in the recipe below. However, you can add as much or as little caramel and toffee as you like.
Serve with thinly sliced apples and pears, and you’re in business. It’s the flavors of fall at their finest.
Alternatively, you can serve this with pretzels or vanilla wafers, but I prefer the apples and pears. That way I can pretend it’s healthy.
Let’s dig in.
Serves 8
Here's what you will need:
8 ounces cream cheese
1/2 cup caramel sauce*
4 tablespoons toffee bits*
4 apples and / or pears, cored and thinly sliced
Place the block of cream cheese on a serving plate. Use the back of a spoon to create a small well in the top of the cream cheese. Spoon the caramel sauce into the well, allowing some to drip over the sides. Sprinkle evenly with toffee bits.
Serve with sliced apple and pears.
*These are recommended amounts, but feel free to use more or less to suit your tastes.
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Yes, the recipe is truly that simple.
The flavor and texture combination is almost magical. Be sure to give this recipe a try this fall and let me know what you think.
And if that sounded good, you may also want to check out my recipe for Red Pepper Jelly. Served over a block of cream cheese, it’s another easy and delicious snack for the holidays. But honestly, I’d eat it any time of the year.
I cannot wait to make this!! I’ll add it to the other recipes of yours that I love! Thanks for sharing.
Michael, I enjoy your blog and all your ideas! You are so creative….
This looks and sounds yummy. I’m going to try it with various “versions”. I wonder how Brie would work instead of cream cheese? Also, I think finely chopped nuts would make a good topping for the very sweet caramel sauce. Apple slices would be perfect!
Thanks again….
That looks so yummy! I’m going to make that for a ladies get-together this coming Saturday! I know everyone will love it.
Michael, going to try this soon. I’ve had it with red pepper jelly. Have you tried cream cheese topped with Jezabel sauce? Yummy.
i just told my daughter “we are going to eat this!” she asked “don’t you mean we are going to make this?” and i told her since it is SO easy with your instructions, we aren’t considering it making it. lol
Hahaha. It’s so true. I call these non-recipe recipes.
Enjoy!
xo Michael
Yummy! This is such an easy and attractive dish ~ thanks for sharing! I love serving cream cheese with red pepper jelly, especially during the holidays.
I’ve made another version of this from Pinterest which just poured the caramel over the top of the cream cheese. I like the idea of making the well. Also, I topped with chopped pecans and also used pretzels along with the apples.
Wow sounds delicious!
Curious what drink were you having? That also looks amazing!
I made this a few nights ago for a small gathering with friends. It was a hit! And so easy to make. Thanks for the recipe!
Hello… love your blog!!…I’m assuming you’re using the caramel sauce like for ice cream? Or did you make it from the caramel squares or bits?
Yep, I just used store-bought caramel. I believe Hershey’s Salted Caramel (sold near the ice cream toppings). However, you can use your favorite brand or make your own. 🙂
xo Michael
I love simple recipes like this one! We have a fall party this weekend and I can’t wait to make this to share!
I wonder if you took a bamboo shiskbob stick once you made the well. And poked the cream cheese 5 or 6 times of the Carmel would soak in a bit and if there were leftovers could use it on toast or beagles the next morning yum
Be still my heart! This looks amazing!
What can I do to keep the apple from browning?
Great question! Just toss them in a little lemon juice. 🙂
xo Michael
Do you rinse the apples after tossing them with lemon juice? Thanks!
I don’t. I don’t mind the subtle flavor, but you certainly can.
xo Michael
You could also use fruit fresh. It’s sold in the baking isle by the caning stuff. It preserves the fruit without the lemon flavor (which I don’t like)
So excited to make this for our pumpkin carving party this weekend, thank you!!
Que hermosa receta que creativo muchas gracias por compartir un beso grande éxito! !!! Carolina
This looks so yummy! My daughter loves anything that has caramel and apples!
this appears to be magical. yum!
b
It just might be! 😉
xo Michael
Beautiful presentation!! The colors go perfectly together and I’m sure this is a delicious recipe for appetizers on holidays. Great idea!
Has anyone tried this warmed?
You can pour sprite over your apples and it keeps the apples from turning brown w/no aftertaste
Love this tip! Thanks Christine!
xo Michael