Creamy Brown Sugar Apple Dip

I think my doctor would be very pleased with the number of apples I eat when this dip is around. Maybe not so pleased that my ratio of apple slices : tablespoons of creamy, sugary dip is approximately 1 : 1, but fruit is fruit, am I right?

This is by far my favorite thing to dip apples in. It has a near-permanent spot in our fridge during apple season. When it's around, I forget that such things as peanut butter, cookie butter, even caramel sauce - all things that I have historically used apple slices as a delivery mechanism for - even exist.

The real star of the show here is the brown sugar. It gives the dip a distinctive caramely taste.

But what makes this beat out caramel sauce in the competition of my all-time favorite thing to dip apples in is the consistency. Unlike caramel sauce, this dip isn't at all stringy or stretchy and could never be accused of sticking in your teeth: it's just perfectly creamy and whipped with a delightful caramel flavor.

Step aside, caramel sauce: Apples have a new best friend in town.

Some might disagree with me, but I'm going to make the argument that this dip totally works as an appetizer. Because there is cheese and it's a dip.

But also it's great as an after-dinner snack, or afternoon snack, or dessert, or - if I'm being honest - breakfast. I've eaten this dip at all times of day and it's never felt out of place.

And have I told you how easy it is? Just whip together cream cheese and brown sugar and vanilla. That's it! One brick of cream cheese makes enough for 12 people.

(Unless I'm one of those 12 people, in which case, you should probably double the recipe).