This is the best Caramel Apple Dip recipe ever! It tastes 1000% better than any store-bought caramel dips and comes together quick & easy with only 3 ingredients!
I’ve enjoyed this Caramel Apple Dip recipe for as long as I can remember. Every single fall, every single year. We slice up crisp, juicy fall apples and dip them into the smooth, creamy caramel, slice after slice. This also does double duty as a terrific caramel sauce – drizzle it over my favorite go-to Apple Crisp or this holiday-perfect Cranberry Apple Crisp!
Why This Caramel Apple Dip Is Our Fall Tradition
Because this caramel apple dip holds so many fond, delicious memories from growing up on the farm, I absolutely wanted to continue the tradition with my own family. We gather in the kitchen together to unwrap the individual caramels and make the dip. Everyone loves this recipe – here’s why we make it every year:
- Incredibly easy. With the caramels unwrapped, this dip takes next to no time to make. You can even make it in the microwave!
- Fabulous flavor and texture. This caramel apple dip beats the pants off of that off-tasting caramel dip you find in the stores. The dip has the BEST caramel flavor and gooey-chewy texture!
- Endless ways to use it. It’s not just for dipping. It’s for drizzling, spooning, smothering — you get the idea. From ice cream recipes to apple pie, you’ll find no shortage of ways to enjoy this creamy, dreamy dip.
What You’ll Need
Just three ingredients! Scroll down to the printable recipe card to find the exact ingredient quantities and full recipe instructions.
- Caramels – You’ll need soft, chewy caramels; I’ve only used individually wrapped Kraft caramels for this caramel apple dip and it’s what I recommend you use too.
- Sweetened condensed milk – This blends with the caramels and butter to create a wonderfully creamy consistency that’s perfect for dipping. Do not confuse this with evaporated milk, which is unsweetened.
- Butter – Unsalted butter adds rich, luscious flavor to the dip.
A Delicious Variation!
I have a tasty tip for you >>> this dip is delicious with a little Apple Pie Spice thrown in! Just stir in 1/2 teaspoon (add more if you like) of the spice blend once the dip ingredients are melted and fully combined.
How to Make Caramel Apple Dip
You’re just a few minutes away from caramel bliss! Here’s what you need to do.
- Combine. Add all three ingredients to a saucepan set over medium heat.
- Warm. Gently heat the mixture until the caramels and butter melt and the mixture is velvety smooth when you stir.
- Serve. Let the caramel apple dip cool a bit, then serve slightly warm (perfectly dippable!) with apple slices.
Microwave Instructions
If you’d like, you can skip the stovetop and make your caramel apple dip in the microwave.
Add all of the ingredients to a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 20 to 30 second intervals. After each interval, stir the dip, and then keep heating 20 to 30 seconds at a time until the dip is completely smooth when stirred.
Serving Suggestions
If you like caramel apples coated with chopped peanuts (or other nuts) or mini chocolate chips, go ahead and sprinkle some on top of the dip for garnish.
Make this caramel apple dip the centerpiece of a fall dessert “charcuterie” board with sliced apples and pears, cookies for dipping (Apple Peanut Butter Cookies, Spice Cookies, or Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies would be wonderful), graham crackers, Homemade Marshmallows, and pretzel sticks.
Offer this dip warm and drizzle-able, more like a caramel sauce, as part of your breakfast. Spoon it over Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats, Apple Oat Pancakes, or Overnight Baked Apple Oatmeal.
I also like to top homemade apple desserts with this dip: I already mentioned two beautiful apple crisp recipes. This Apple Almond Galette is also deserving, as is Apple Cobbler. And of course, slices of apple pie. Or make a pile of apple nachos by drizzling the caramel dip over apple slices and then sprinkling them with granola, chopped nuts, mini chocolate chips, and anything else that strikes your fancy.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Store this caramel apple dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Reheat it gently in the microwave or in a saucepan over medium-low heat.
More Sweet Dip Recipes
Caramel Apple Dip
Ingredients
- 14 ounces individually wrapped Kraft caramels, unwrapped
- 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir regularly, until caramels and butter have melted, and the mixture is smooth and evenly combined. (See Notes for microwave instructions.)
- Serve slightly warm, with apple slices for dipping. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, rewarming portions as needed.
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Memories of Picking Apples on the Farm
Growing up on the farm, apple picking day felt like our own little amusement park ride. My sisters and I would clamber into the bucket of Dad’s old loader tractor and he would give us a slow and bumpy ride from the barn to the first of several apple trees. Then he would hoist up the bucket, leveling it off every few feet of the ascension, until the loader’s long red arms were maxed out at the top of the tree. We filled the tractor bucket with beautiful farm apples. It was such a fun handpicked treat!
This post was originally published in 2010, then updated in 2025.
This recipe was great! So fast and easy.
I noticed that the bag size keeps changing – so I just weigh out the caramels.
OMG! This stuff is very addicting! I’ve probably eaten a quarter of the jar with a spoon. I haven’t progressed to putting it on anything yet because I can’t stop eating it! And I love that it makes quite a bit. Now I just need to learn some self control. Thanks for sharing!
This is our go-to dip during local apple season. I’m so glad you liked it!
How many apples is this recipe for? I need to do 30p med appkes.
Does this need to be kept refrigerated even if you want it to stay soft enough to dip apple slices in? Or can it be kept at room temperature?
could you tell me if this is small can or large can of milk?
Hi Monica – a 14 ounce can. I just updated the recipe, thanks!
how long will this keep in a sealed container?
Hi Tammy – this keeps for a good couple weeks stored in the refrigerator.
Yummm Brenda!
I wondered if you could use that dip as a filling for a cake? Is it too thin? What kind of consistency does it have?
It’s VERY thick when cold and refrigerated. But it softens up very nicely at room temp. And if you like it warm and thinner, the microwave is your friend. I’m not sure that I would try using this for a cake filling, though.
Brenda,
How do you store this dip and how long will it last?
Hello Julia, sorry for my slow reply. I just store this in the refrigerator, covered. It will harden. Eat it cold (harder and very chewy) or warm it up. It stays good for quite awhile…a week for sure.
Thank you for sharing this. I’m visiting my grandkids right now, and one of them wanted caramel apples (in the middle of summer – LOL!) I found your recipe, and we had it with sliced apples, and they even liked it with fresh strawberries. Great recipe–I couldn’t stop eating it!!
I’m so glad you found a simple way to satisfy your grandkids. It’s one of our favorite treats! Nice to hear from you, Linda – thanks!!
I love that we have the exact same apple-picking memories. You captured it exactly! And I agree, I can’t imagine putting Griffin in that bucket any time soon! This caramel recipe sounds just like the caramel I use at Christmas time. Dip a large marshmallow in the caramel and then roll it in Rice Krispies. So yummy. I’ll definitely be trying this on apples though.
Oooooo, I love those dipped marshmallows!!
I’m going to try this soon:) It sounds delicious and it looks a lot easier than eating a whole caramel apple on a stick:)
Hi Sue! I’m with you about the whole caramel apples. I always like the look of them, but I find them hard to eat. This dip is so much fun and the caramel is a great consistency.
This makes me hungry!!!
Cheryl – And whaddya think about the pics? :-)
This is making me hungry. Can’t wait to make some.
This is such a great autumn staple! YUMMY!!
After getting to taste this on Tuesday I can’t wait to make some more. Thank you for sharing this great treat and the recipe!!!
What a yummy treat!
As you know, I have eaten my share of this dip too. Loved seeing the pics!