Old-Fashioned Apple Dip
This Old-Fashioned Apple Dip is a creamy, sweet dip made with cream cheese, brown sugar, butterscotch chips, peanuts and crunchy toffee bits. Served with crisp apple slices, it’s the kind of simple party recipe that disappears fast!
This recipe comes from my mom, Jane, and dates back to the early 1990s. I found it tucked in with the collection of my grandmother’s recipes that my mom so carefully saved over the years, so I knew I had to make it for Episode 4 of My Grandmother’s Recipes. And oh my goodness—it is incredibly delicious!
Why You’ll Love This Old-Fashioned Apple Dip
It’s incredibly creamy. Cream cheese and Greek yogurt make the dip smooth, fluffy and perfect for dipping.
5 Days to Fall Baking Bliss!
FREE EMAIL BONUS: My most-loved flavors of fall, made easy & worth repeating.n
It has the best sweet-and-salty flavor. Peanuts, butterscotch and toffee balance the sweet cream cheese base.
It’s quick and easy. There’s no baking required, and the dip comes together in just a few minutes.
It’s perfect for fall. Crisp apples and this creamy dip make such a fun treat for fall parties, tailgates, Halloween or Thanksgiving.
It’s a great make-ahead recipe. Prepare it ahead of time and keep it chilled until you’re ready to serve.
What You Need
Ingredient Notes
Cream cheese: Let the cream cheese soften to room temperature so it whips up light and creamy without any lumps.
Brown sugar and powdered sugar: My mom’s original recipe called for ½ cup of each. I tested it that way and found it a little too sweet for my taste, so I prefer ¼ cup brown sugar and ¼ cup powdered sugar. You can adjust the sweetness to your liking.
Greek yogurt: Plain Greek yogurt adds creaminess and a slight tang that helps balance the sweetness. You can use ½ cup or one 5.3-ounce container.
Vanilla extract: A teaspoon of vanilla gives the cream cheese mixture a warm, classic flavor.
Peanuts and butterscotch chips: These are finely ground together in a blender or food processor before being stirred into the dip. This is what makes this old recipe especially interesting—and so good!
Heath toffee bits: Sprinkle these over the top just before serving for extra buttery toffee flavor and a little crunch.
Apples: Granny Smith apples are my favorite with this dip because their tartness balances the sweetness. Honeycrisp and Pink Lady apples are also delicious. Granny Smith apples are great in Apple Pie too.
How to Make Old-Fashioned Apple Dip
Beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
Gradually beat in the brown sugar and powdered sugar until smooth. Add the Greek yogurt and vanilla and mix until creamy.
Place the peanuts and butterscotch chips in a blender or food processor and pulse until finely ground. Stir them into the cream cheese mixture.
Spoon the dip into a serving bowl and sprinkle generously with Heath toffee bits. Chill for about 30 minutes, then serve with plenty of fresh apple slices.
Quick Tips
Start with softened cream cheese. Cold cream cheese won’t blend as smoothly and can leave little lumps in the dip.
Don’t over-process the peanuts and chips. You want them finely ground, but don’t keep blending until the peanuts turn into peanut butter.
Give it time to chill. About 30 minutes in the refrigerator gives the flavors a chance to come together and makes the dip even better.
Adjust the sweetness. If you like a very sweet dessert dip, you can use the original ½ cup each of brown and powdered sugar. I prefer the less-sweet version below.
Keep your apples fresh. Lightly toss sliced apples with a little lemon juice to help prevent browning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best apples for apple dip? Granny Smith apples are especially good because they’re crisp and tart, which is a great contrast to the sweet, creamy dip. Honeycrisp and Pink Lady apples are also excellent choices.
Can I make apple dip ahead of time? Yes! In fact, I think it’s even better after it has chilled for a little while. Make it several hours ahead, cover, and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.
How long does apple dip last in the refrigerator? Store the dip covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Give it a quick stir before serving.
Can I make this dip sweeter? Absolutely. My mom’s original early-’90s recipe called for ½ cup packed brown sugar and ½ cup powdered sugar. I found that too sweet and prefer ¼ cup of each, but you can adjust the sugar to suit your taste.
What else can I serve with apple dip? Although apples are the classic choice, this dip would also be delicious with pear slices, graham crackers, vanilla wafers, or pretzels.
Old-Fashioned Apple Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt, or one 5.3-ounce container
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup peanuts
- ¼ cup butterscotch chips
- ¼ cup Heath toffee bits, for topping
- Apple slices, for serving, such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp
Equipment
- 1 Blender I like the Vitamix 5200 Professional-Grade Blender, 64 oz. (I've been using this brand for 15 years or more, they last forever.)
Instructions
- Place the softened cream cheese in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
- Gradually add the brown sugar and powdered sugar, beating until smooth and well combined. Add the Greek yogurt and vanilla extract and mix until creamy.
- Place the peanuts and butterscotch chips in a blender or food processor and pulse until finely ground. Stir the mixture into the cream cheese dip until evenly combined.
- Transfer the dip to a serving bowl and sprinkle the Heath toffee bits over the top. For the best flavor and texture, refrigerate for about 30 minutes before serving.
- Serve chilled with sliced apples.
- Cover and refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days. Stir before serving.