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    Home » Caramel Apple Dip

    Caramel Apple Dip

    Published: Sep 9, 2022 · Modified: Feb 14, 2023 by Laura · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    This caramel apple dip is easy to make from scratch with 6 ingredients including butter, heavy cream and brown sugar. This smooth, creamy caramel dip makes a delicious dessert or snack.

    an apple after being dipped into a bowl of Caramel Apple Dip

    You know it's fall in the grocery store when you start seeing the tubs of caramel apple dip strategically placed in the produce section.

    I always prefer homemade to store-bought, and this caramel dip is no exception. It's made with 6 ingredients (no corn syrup, condensed milk, preservatives, etc.) in 15 minutes and is irresistibly delicious!

    Enjoy the flavor of caramel apples, with less work with this caramel apple dip recipe.

    a bowl of Caramel Apple Dip surrounded by apples

    Caramel Apple Dip: Ingredients & Substitutions

    overhead photo of the ingredients in this Caramel Apple Dip recipe
    • Light brown sugar. Dark brown sugar can be used but will impart a bolder molasses flavor.
    • Salted butter. Unsalted butter works well too.
    • Heavy cream. There is no substitute for heavy cream.
    • Vanilla extract. an equal amount of vanilla bean paste can be used in place of the vanilla extract.
    a glass jar of Caramel Apple Dip and an apple being held over the jar after being dipped inside

    Caramel-making equipment

    There are a few key piece of kitchen gear you need to make flawless homemade caramel. Be sure to have everything you need laid out and ready to go.

    • Tall, heavy bottomed pan. This is absolutely critical when making candy, especially caramel (or toffee). I suggest a thick pot like this one, it's 2.5 mm thick on the bottom for even heating. If you really want to splurge you could get a copper version (I bought this and love it). If you use a pot that is too thin the caramel could burn and you will end up with flecks of crystalized sugar in the candy.
    • Candy thermometer. Sure, you could do the ball test to determine if your caramel is done, but that is too subjective for my analytical mind - and I never make candy without a thermometer. I use a digital, instant read thermometer for all my candy making (and meat cooking).
    • Metal Whisk and silicone spatula. The caramel needs to be stirred often, so you need a heat-proof utensil to make this recipe. I suggest a metal whisk or high-heat silicone spatula.
    photo of the equipment used to make Caramel Apple Dip

    How to Make Caramel Apple Dip

    Making caramel can be tricky, but this caramel apple dip is easy to make once you get the method down! Let's walk through the recipe step-by-step, and don't forget to watch the video.

    Begin by adding water and brown sugar to a heavy-bottom pan. Cook over medium-high heat until the sugar dissolves, whisking often.

    Then, add the butter and whisk until it is melted. Then, bring the mixture to a boil.

    two photos showing How to Make Caramel Apple Dip in a saucepan

    Once boiling, lower the heat and cook/boil over medium-low heat until the mixture is thick and pulls away from the sides (about 10 minutes), whisking occasionally.

    two photos showing How to Make Caramel Apple Dip in a saucepan

    Then, whisk in the heavy cream and sea salt until smooth. Bring the mixture to a boil again and boil for 1 minute.

    two photos showing How to Make Caramel Apple Dip in a saucepan

    After 1 minute, remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the vanilla extract.

    Then, transfer the caramel to a glass storage dish or jar and let it cool completely before serving (mixture thickens as it cools).

    two photos showing How to Make Caramel Apple Dip adding vanilla and cooling in a glass bowl

    Serve

    Serve the caramel apple dip slightly chilled or at room temperature. Enjoy it with your favorite apple varieties, or other dippers like pretzels, graham crackers, pears, etc.

    Caramel Apple Dip in a bowl surrounded by apples

    Store

    Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

    a glass jar of Caramel Apple Dip

    Recipe FAQs

    How do you make caramel dip without a candy thermometer?

    You have to be able to recognize the stage between "thread" and "soft ball". Place a glass or bowl of cold water next to you as you make the caramel. You will know you reached the correct stage when the caramel starts turning darker brown, pulls away from the sides and forms a firm "thread" when put in cold water.


    What apples are best for dipping in caramel?

    Here are my top suggestions:
    Honeycrisp
    Pink Lady
    Jazz
    Granny Smith
    Fuji
    Gala

    What is caramel dip good with?

    Besides apples, you can dip so many delicious foods in this caramel dip recipe. Try other fruits like pears, bananas, peaches, nectarines, etc. You can also enjoy this dip with pretzels, graham crackers, etc.

    Can I double this recipe?

    Yes, double the ingredients and make it in a 5-quart saucepan.

    an apple right after it was dipped into a bowl of Caramel Apple Dip below

    If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don't forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube - be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

    Caramel Apple Dip Recipe (Caramel Dip)

    Laura
    This caramel apple dip is easy to make from scratch with 6 ingredients including butter, heavy cream and brown sugar. This smooth, creamy caramel dip makes a delicious dessert or snack.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Cooling 2 hrs
    Total Time 2 hrs 20 mins
    Course Appetizer, Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 Servings
    Calories 189 kcal

    Equipment

    • heavy-bottomed saucepan
    • measuring spoons
    • measuring cups
    • spatula
    • whisk
    • glass jars with lids

    Ingredients
      

    • ¼ cup water
    • 1 cup light brown sugar
    • ½ cup salted butter
    • ¼ tsp sea salt
    • ¾ cup heavy cream
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Add water and brown sugar to a heavy-bottom pan. Cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, whisking often.
    • Add butter and whisk until the butter is melted.
    • Once the butter is melted, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and cook/boil over medium-low heat until the mixture is thick and pulls away from the sides (about 10 minutes), whisking occasionally.
    • Whisk in the heavy cream and sea salt until smooth, then bring the mixture to a boil again and boil for 1 minute.
    • After 1 minute, remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the vanilla extract.
    • Transfer the caramel apple dip to a glass storage dish or jar and let cool completely before serving (mixture thickens as it cools).

    Video

    Notes

    Ingredient Substitutions
    • Light brown sugar. Dark brown sugar can be used but will impart a bolder molasses flavor.
    • Salted butter. Unsalted butter works well too.
    • Heavy cream. There is no substitute for heavy cream.
    • Vanilla extract. an equal amount of vanilla bean paste can be used in place of the vanilla extract.
    Store
    Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 2TBSCalories: 189kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 1gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 37mgSodium: 119mgPotassium: 41mgSugar: 18gVitamin A: 455IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine! 

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Marilyn

      October 08, 2022 at 7:54 pm

      Can this be nade Sugar-Free ?

      Reply

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    About Laura

    I’m Laura, a former chemistry teacher turned homeschooling mom of six beautiful babies! I create simple and delicious recipes that are tested and perfected to make cooking and baking joyful and fun!

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