The Viral 3-Ingredient Dessert Dip You'll Want To Make Every Week This Fall

Autumnal flavors make an appearance at nearly every grocery store and many restaurants the second the calendar turns to October (and sometimes before). With plenty of seasonal potlucks and parties to attend, you'll want to master this easy dessert to have on hand in a time crunch. This three-ingredient dip combines the nostalgia of caramel apples and the silkiness of cream cheese for a sweet treat that will be hard to pass up. All you need is ready-made cheesecake filling, caramel, and a chocolate candy topping to create his delicious caramel apple cheesecake dip.

This treat is no-bake, and due to its simple ingredient list, it's an affordable way to satiate a whole crowd of dessert lovers. Think of it like a sweet version of the all-too-popular cheese boards and snack plates that guests can't get enough of at gatherings. It's very simple to put together and super customizable, and you'll find each store-bought ingredient nicely layers on top of one another — you don't even need to do any mixing. Starting with the most dense and working your way up, this dish features a cheesecake base, covered in caramel, finished with your toppings of choice, whether simple chocolate chips or a chopped candy bar. Before building your dessert, you may consider searching for a seasonal serving dish that complements other vintage Halloween kitchen decorations to add autumnal excitement to your space if you're hosting guests. 

You can also get creative with what you provide to dip into your creation. Whether freshly sliced green apples (tart fruit nicely juxtaposes the creaminess of your dip), graham crackers, pretzels, or vanilla wafers, there are many choices that can upgrade this dessert. And for those looking for other fun treats to add to your party spread, try this Halloween-themed ghost s'mores dip, too. 

If caramel apples aren't for you, you can take this same three-ingredient recipe and shift it in other festive directions. Instead, try making a pecan pie version – combining the autumnal flavors of this dessert in the same easy-to-make base. You'll just add a few more ingredients to your cart to pair with the no-bake cheesecake base, like pecans and brown sugar.

If nutty desserts aren't for you, what about the warming notes of another fall staple? The well-loved flavors of a chai latte could elevate this recipe as well. Think about stirring spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom into your cheesecake base; black pepper and cloves will give it even more of a kick. Leaning toward another seasonal fan-favorite flavor, pumpkin spice and pumpkin puree seamlessly blend into your no-bake cheesecake filling as well. Toppings can include anything that adds crunch to the dessert dip; think candied pumpkin seeds, chocolate chunks, chopped peanut butter cups, M&M's. You can really make this dessert your own depending on the flavors and textures you're looking to highlight. 

If you can't manage to find a pre-made cheesecake filling, it's quick to make yourself and put together with a few basic ingredients (you may already have some at home). Obvious elements like cream cheese are necessary, but don't forget to grab butter, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar, which will all nicely blend together with a hand or standing mixer. And if you accidentally bought a block too many, try one of these 14 ways to use up your leftover cream cheese.