Introduction
Oh, the sweet, comforting scent of baked apples and cinnamon! It always takes me back to crisp autumn evenings and cozy kitchen gatherings. And if you’re anything like me, you adore those classic fall flavors but sometimes wish you could have them without all the fuss of a traditional pie. Well, my friends, I’ve got a little slice of heaven for you today that’s going to change your dessert game. This Baked Apple Pie Dip is incredibly easy, ridiculously delicious, and perfect for sharing (or not!). Get ready for a warm, gooey, and utterly satisfying treat that tastes just like apple pie, but in dip form!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: Whip this up in no time when a craving strikes.
- Easy: Seriously, it’s almost foolproof.
- Giftable: Package it up for a thoughtful homemade present.
- Crowd-pleasing: Everyone adores this warm, comforting dip.
Ingredients
Let’s gather up what you’ll need. It’s a simple list that brings together all the best parts of apple pie!
For the Pecan-Graham Streusel:
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour: Our little binder for that perfect crumbly topping.
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar: For a touch of sweetness.
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar: Adds that lovely caramel depth.
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice: This is your shortcut to that unmistakable apple pie flavor!
- 2 tablespoons cold butter, cut into small pieces: Cold butter is key for a crumbly streusel.
- 2 tablespoons HONEY MAID Grahams crumbs: Adds a classic, comforting base. (You can easily make these by crushing a few graham crackers yourself!)
- 2 tablespoons chopped pecans: For a delightful nutty crunch.
For the Dip:
- 8 ounces light cream cheese, softened: Make sure it’s nice and soft so it blends smoothly.
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar: Sweetness and a hint of molasses.
- 1 tablespoon apple pie spice: More of that magical flavor!
- 1 ¼ cups chopped apples, divided: We’ll use these both in the dip and on top! A tart apple like Granny Smith works wonderfully here.
For Dipping:
- Fresh apple slices: A natural pairing, of course!
- 32 HONEY MAID Grahams, broken into quarters: The perfect vehicle for scooping up all that deliciousness.
How to Make It
Alright, let’s get this cozy creation in the oven! It’s so simple, you’ll wonder why you haven’t made it sooner.
- Preheat your oven: Get that oven warmed up to 350°F (175°C). It’s like giving your oven a little hug, ready to bake up some happiness.
- Whip up the Pecan-Graham Streusel: In a medium bowl, toss together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and apple pie spice. Now, here’s a fun part! Add your cold butter pieces. You can use a pastry blender or just your fingertips to cut the butter into the dry ingredients. You want it to look like coarse crumbs – think little pebbles. Finally, stir in your graham cracker crumbs and chopped pecans. Set this delightful mix aside.
- Mix the Dip: Grab another bowl for the creamy part. Beat the softened cream cheese until it’s nice and smooth. Then, mix in the brown sugar and apple pie spice until everything is well combined. Now, stir in 1 cup of your chopped apples. This is where the magic really starts!
- Assemble the Dip: Grab a small oven-safe dish or even a cute cast-iron skillet. Spread that creamy, apple-y mixture evenly into the dish.
- Top it Off: Sprinkle the prepared Pecan-Graham Streusel evenly all over the cream cheese mixture. Try to get a nice, even layer.
- Add the Final Touches: Scatter the remaining ¼ cup of chopped apples over the top of the streusel. This adds extra little bursts of apple goodness as it bakes.
- Bake to Perfection: Pop that dish into your preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes. You’re looking for a golden-brown streusel topping and a dip that’s all bubbly and warm around the edges. Oh, the aroma!
- Serve and Enjoy: Once it’s out of the oven, let it cool for just a few minutes (it will be hot!). Serve it warm with plenty of fresh apple slices and graham cracker dippers. Dig in and enjoy every single bite!
Substitutions & Additions
This recipe is already pretty fantastic, but you know I love to play around! Here are a few ideas to make it your own:
- For the Streusel: If you don’t have pecans, chopped walnuts are a great substitute. You can also skip the nuts entirely if you prefer. For a richer flavor, swap out some of the brown sugar for coconut sugar.
- For the Apples: While Granny Smith is my go-to for its tartness, you can use a mix of apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji for a sweeter dip. You could even add a few dried cranberries or raisins to the dip mixture for extra chewy bits!
- Spice it Up: If you’re feeling adventurous, add a pinch of ground ginger or nutmeg to the streusel or the dip for an extra layer of warmth.
- Dairy-Free Delight: Use dairy-free cream cheese and a plant-based butter alternative for the streusel.
Tips for Success
A few little secrets from my kitchen to yours to ensure this dip turns out perfectly every time!
- Softened Cream Cheese is Key: Don’t rush this! If your cream cheese isn’t softened, it will be lumpy. Let it sit on the counter for about an hour, or pop it in the microwave for 15-20 seconds (carefully!) to speed things up.
- Don’t Overmix the Streusel: You want those coarse crumbs! Overworking the dough can make it tough.
- Prep Ahead Power: You can make the streusel topping and the cream cheese dip mixture separately a day in advance. Store them in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Just assemble and bake when you’re ready to serve!
- Serving Temperature: This dip is best served warm, right after it comes out of the oven. If it sits too long, the cream cheese can firm up. If it does, you can pop it back in the oven for a few minutes to warm it through.
How to Store It
If, by some miracle, you have any leftovers (which I highly doubt!), here’s how to keep them:
Let the dip cool completely. Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply spoon individual portions into a microwave-safe dish and heat in 30-second intervals until warmed through, or reheat the whole dish in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 10-15 minutes.
FAQs
Can I make this dip ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the streusel and the cream cheese mixture separately up to a day in advance and store them in the refrigerator. Assemble and bake just before serving.
What kind of apples should I use?
Tart apples like Granny Smith are excellent because their tartness balances the sweetness of the dip. However, a mix of apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji can also be used for a sweeter result.
Can I bake this in a different dish?
Absolutely! Any oven-safe small baking dish, like a ceramic gratin dish or a small cast-iron skillet, will work perfectly. The baking time might vary slightly depending on the dish’s material and size.
Is this dip too sweet?
The sweetness is generally well-balanced, especially with the tartness of the apples. If you prefer less sweetness, you can slightly reduce the brown sugar in both the streusel and the dip mixture.
Cozy Baked Apple Pie Dip
Equipment
- Medium bowl
- another bowl
- small oven-safe dish or cast-iron skillet
Ingredients
Pecan-Graham Streusel
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour Our little binder for that perfect crumbly topping.
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar For a touch of sweetness.
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar Adds that lovely caramel depth.
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice This is your shortcut to that unmistakable apple pie flavor!
- 2 tablespoons cold butter, cut into small pieces Cold butter is key for a crumbly streusel.
- 2 tablespoons HONEY MAID Grahams crumbs Adds a classic, comforting base. (You can easily make these by crushing a few graham crackers yourself!)
- 2 tablespoons chopped pecans For a delightful nutty crunch.
Dip
- 8 ounces light cream cheese, softened Make sure it's nice and soft so it blends smoothly.
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar Sweetness and a hint of molasses.
- 1 tablespoon apple pie spice More of that magical flavor!
- 1.25 cups chopped apples, divided We'll use these both in the dip and on top! A tart apple like Granny Smith works wonderfully here.
For Dipping
- Fresh apple slices A natural pairing, of course!
- 32 HONEY MAID Grahams, broken into quarters The perfect vehicle for scooping up all that deliciousness.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a medium bowl, combine flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and apple pie spice. Cut in cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in graham cracker crumbs and chopped pecans. Set aside.2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- In another bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Mix in brown sugar and apple pie spice. Stir in 1 cup of chopped apples.2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly into a small oven-safe dish or cast-iron skillet.2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Sprinkle the prepared streusel evenly over the cream cheese mixture.2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Scatter the remaining ¼ cup of chopped apples over the top of the streusel.2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the streusel is golden brown and the dip is bubbly around the edges.
- Let cool for a few minutes. Serve warm with fresh apple slices and graham crackers.2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Notes
* **For the Apples:** While Granny Smith is my go-to for its tartness, you can use a mix of apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji for a sweeter dip. You could even add a few dried cranberries or raisins to the dip mixture for extra chewy bits!
* **Spice it Up:** If you're feeling adventurous, add a pinch of ground ginger or nutmeg to the streusel or the dip for an extra layer of warmth.
* **Dairy-Free Delight:** Use dairy-free cream cheese and a plant-based butter alternative for the streusel. A few little secrets from my kitchen to yours to ensure this dip turns out perfectly every time! * **Softened Cream Cheese is Key:** Don't rush this! If your cream cheese isn't softened, it will be lumpy. Let it sit on the counter for about an hour, or pop it in the microwave for 15-20 seconds (carefully!) to speed things up.
* **Don't Overmix the Streusel:** You want those coarse crumbs! Overworking the dough can make it tough.
* **Prep Ahead Power:** You can make the streusel topping and the cream cheese dip mixture separately a day in advance. Store them in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Just assemble and bake when you're ready to serve!
* **Serving Temperature:** This dip is best served warm, right after it comes out of the oven. If it sits too long, the cream cheese can firm up. If it does, you can pop it back in the oven for a few minutes to warm it through.