This Viral 3-Ingredient Dessert Will Save You an Afternoon of Cooking

It's the apple of my eye this fall.

Simply Recipes / Meghan Splawn

My teen daughter loves caramel apples, and since picking the seasonal fruit is one of our family’s fall traditions, we often turn a crisp afternoon into a caramel apple-making session. So, imagine my delight when she came to me recently and asked if we could make this super-fast 3-Ingredient Caramel Apple Dip she’d seen on TikTok.

Don’t get me wrong, homemade caramel apples are worth the once-a-year effort, but this dip is so easy that my kids can make it themselves. We'll be making it on repeat all fall long. Here’s how to make our family's new favorite treat, perfect for every tailgate, potluck, party, and movie night from now until December.

Simply Recipes / Meghan Splawn

TikTok's 3-Ingredient Caramel Apple Dip

Think of this treat as the fall equivalent of a layered dip, if it was dessert. On TikTok, the base is primarily a container of Philadelphia No Bake Original Cheesecake Filling, but you could mix up your own no-bake filling, or simply sweeten softened cream cheese with a little powdered sugar and vanilla (I’d go with two-thirds cup powdered sugar for a pound of cream cheese).

The filling is spread into a serving dish (I recommend a 9-inch pie pan or 8x8 baking dish), then an entire jar of caramel sauce is drizzled on top, followed by a small bag of Heath Chocolatey English Toffee Bits. You eat this dip right away, but chilling it for 15 minutes while you slice some apples, gather some pretzels, and find a fall movie to watch, makes it easier for dipping.

The result is a creamy caramel dream: The cheesecake filling keeps it from being overtly sweet, while the chocolate-toffee bits lend a satisfying crunch to each bite. A sprinkle of flaky salt on top would be welcome, too. 

Simply Recipes / Meghan Splawn

Make This Viral Recipe Your Own 

While the cheesecake base and caramel sauce are essential—making this dip taste like a fall festival—you can switch up the toppings and dip-ins to suit your family’s taste. Swap the candy bits for chopped peanuts, walnuts, or pecans; add mini chocolate chips or chopped candies, like M&Ms or Reese's Pieces, to the existing recipe; or go for a Midwestern Snickers Salad vibe and add some diced chocolate-caramel bars and serve with Granny Smith apples.

Speaking of apples, sliced ones are ideal here; we love tart, crisp varieties. Vanilla wafers or graham crackers would make this dip taste like a caramel apple cheesecake. Call me crazy, but sliced, sharp cheddar would be incredible as a dipper, so don’t hesitate to put this sweet appetizer next to the cheese board at your next party.

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