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When I think of what to bring to parties, the first “food” that comes to mind is a dip. They are typically pretty easy to put together and make ahead, almost everyone loves them, and you get to dress them up with dipping accessories like pretzels, crackers, and veggies.
Party regulars like hummus, guacamole, and spinach artichoke are three of my very favorites. You can usually find me hovering over each, hoarding the crackers and chips as my dipping vehicles. Ask any of my friends. In fact, I’m sure some of them are reading this and nodding their heads because it’s so true. And I’m not using the term “hoarding” lightly here. I’m a party dip’s worst nightmare. My love for them is embarassing.
To throw my friends a curveball, I decided to bring a sweet dip to our Halloween party this past weekend. Something creamy, yet low fat to serve alongside my bounty of Granny Smiths.
When I think of pairings for apples, toffee and cinnamon typically come to mind. Peanut butter is an obvious #1 but I wanted to keep things festive and use the warm flavors associated with autumn. Plus, I bought along these. Don’t want to overload friends with peanut butter (if that is such a thing?)
This simple whipped mixture of low fat cream cheese, dark brown sugar, vanilla extract, and a generous dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, & cloves comes together in seconds. It took more time to chop the apples then to make the dip. And I was using an apple cutter.
For texture, I gave the dip some crunch by adding chopped heath bars after I beat the rest of the ingredients. Each creamy cinnamon-spiced smear is loaded with the crunchy chocolate toffee chunks
If you prefer, you could easily use pure toffee chunks or omit the toffee altogether. Maybe add some chopped Snickers or chocolate chips? I digress.
My cinnamon toffee dip definitely required toffee. 
The dip’s thickness is easily in your control. I used about 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract in my recipe, which thinned it into a dippable consistency. Using less vanilla extract may require you to serve the dip alongside a butter knife since it will be thicker and more spreadable.
The dip’s sweetness paired impeccably with tart granny smith apples. To save myself from wasting all too much time slicing apples, I served the dip alongside gingersnaps as well. If you’re in a pinch of time like I was, supplement your apples with crunchy gingersnaps.
I had valuable time to spend working on my Halloween costume, not slaving away in the kitchen!
After working late last Friday, this dip answered all my party-guest prayers as I stressed over what type of creative, yet QUICK sweet I’d bring to wow all my friends. I am a foodie blogger afterall, I have to represent with something fabulous!
In case you’re curious, I remade this dip the next day to shoot pictures in daylight – only to be devoured by just Kevin and I later that night. With a spoon as my dipping vehicle of choice. Whatevs!
If I didn’t have time to chop up enough apples, you better believe I didn’t have time to snap blogworthy pictures before the party! But this dip was just TOO incredible not to share with you, so I was glad to make it again the next day.
With so many wonderful party foods like jalapeno poppers and a pumpkin-shaped cheeseball (it was SO cute), I was humbled to see my little lowfat cheesecake dip be devoured by the partygoers.
Impressive and EASY, it’s a recipe I’m stapling front and center into my party-food recipe binder. Yes, I have one of those. It’s full of dips.
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Makes 1 and 1/4 cups (for a big party, double the recipe). Dip is gluten free.
Ingredients
- 8 oz low fat cream cheese, softened (not fat free)
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (or more/less, depending on your desired dip thickness)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/3 cup chopped Heath Bars or Heath Bar Bits ‘o Brickle baking pieces (I used 4 fun-sized Heath Bars)
Instructions
- Beat the softened cream cheese, brown sugar, vanilla, and spices together with an electric mixer. Scrape down the sides as needed. By hand, fold in the chopped toffee. Sprinkle with additional toffee if desired. Serve chilled.
- Serve with sliced apples or crunchy gingersnaps.
Notes
RECIPE SOURCE: sallysbakingaddiction.com
© Sally’s Baking Addiction. All images & content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If you want to republish this recipe, please re-write the recipe in your own words, or link back to this post for the recipe.
What are your favorite party foods?
Toffee infused, applicious, cinnamon-spiced recipes to put you in the fall party spirit:
Buttery Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake
Sweet & Salty Potato Chip Toffee Cookies
Skinny Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough Dip
**Winner of the $50 gift certificate is Lori S. who said “I love my big mixing bowl. I used to only have smallish ones and it was such a pain. 
“
Lori, check your email!
{ 62 comments… read them below or add one }
Why can’t I be at the parties you go to? Seriously, I would have never left this baby alone! This is soooo my kinda dip! Toffee bits/heath bars are seriously my old school fave candy. Heath Bar Blizzards were my childhood treat and so this dip is like the grown up healthier version of that. I want!
Hope the hurricane has left you alone!
Averie @ Averie Cooks recently posted..Outback Steakhouse Wheat Bread {Copycat Recipe}
YES! Heath bar blizzards were the best! I had them with vanilla ice cream.
Oh and butterfinger blizzards with chocolate ice cream – SO GOOD!
I am totally that person that almost sticks my face in the dip at parties. No shame, no shame. This looks delicious, and I love the idea of adding the heath for a toffee crunch. YUM!
PS. how’s the Halloween costume turn out?
Erin | The Law Student’s Wife recently posted..Sweet Potato Black Bean Quesadillas
I was a flapper! My black boa shed its feathers EVERYWHERE though! Thanks Erin
You couldn’t have posted this at a better time! I’m going to a party for my dance class after school today and need something I can make quickly. Plus it’s not your typical cookies/cupcakes/sugar filled dessert! I also am a major dip fan so we’ll see how much of it makes it to the party!
Perfect! Let me know how you like is Nichole – it’s such an easy, yet creative dish to bring to a party.
I LOVE this dip! We don’t have Heath bars where I live so I got creative and used some twix bars instead. My dance teacher and some of the other girls wanted the recipe. I couldn’t stop eating it either. There’s some left over (I didn’t bring enough dipping food) and I can’t wait to finish it off! <3
I can’t help myself, but I’m salivating. Holy moly, girlfriend. This dip looks fantastic! I totally laughed at the “dip’s worst nightmare” comment because I am the same way! I have a feeling if we’re ever at the same party and a dip’s involved, you and I may have to fight hardcore-style to get that last bite haha.
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel recently posted..Twix Brownies
hahaha a fight for the last dip bite.
This is perfect party food! I love the versatility of it swapping out the toffee for different candy depending on preference or what’s on hand!
Jessica@AKitchenAddiction recently posted..Pumpkin White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
I want to try Snickers in the dip next. Thanks Jessica!
aaahhhh! I want to go to parties with you too! You always have the best party food! I am so glad you remade it so we could see this delicious dip! Dips and I are best friends too! We usually have to double guac around here because I will eat more than my fair share:-)
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life recently posted..Trick or Treat Tuesday
double guac. I like your thinking!
Okay, so for a second I was really upset that I was not at this party with this amazing looking dip, but then I realized that I probably would have eaten all of it, not shared with anyone, and licked the bowl clean, and ya know, that would have been pretty embarrassing, and I would have never been invited back, so I guess it’s a good thing that we live in different places. It’s saving me from a life of embarrassment
Ari @ Ari’s Menu recently posted..Team Chances Brunch
Hahahahahah Ari!! You’re hilarrrrrious. I had to make more the next day because I didn’t get much with all the party guests loving it
oh wow! this looks + sounds just amazing. such a perfect sweet fall dip!
Love the toffee in this! YUM!
Hi Rachel! Toffee makes me weak at the knees
Thanks!
Sally – you’re way to good at making me drool! This looks ah-mazing!
Ashley – BakerbyNature recently posted..(Vegan) Maple Pumpkin Butter
Ashley! what a drool-worthy honor.
Oh so perfect, Sally! I think cinnamon and apples are a match made in heaven. The toffee is a top-notch addition too!!
Cassie | Bake Your Day recently posted..Cinnamon Chip Oatmeal Cookies
a very “cassie” dip – i love these flavors together as well.
omg – this looks SO HEAVENLY!!! this would disappear so fast at a party! glad to hear you’re safe
Julie @ Table for Two recently posted..Apple Cinnamon Scones
Dips are definitely one of my party recipe go-tos. You can never go wrong with brownies and cookies either, but there are usually a few batches of those. So, a dip is always a fun choice to add some pizzazz to the party table.
Btw, how did you do with the Frankenstorm? We weren’t hit too badly around my house, but a few blocks over had tons of HUGE trees break and fall. It looks like a tornado came through. I’m hoping you managed ok with no power outages in Baltimore!
Elaine recently posted..Double Whipped Pumpkin Brownie Pie
Sandy hit us hard, but luckily we did not lose electric. My boyfriend’s parents did and my rents up in PA did as well. Lots of big trees and branches all over the roads though. I am glad you guys are OK Elaine! It was kind of scary at its peak last night!
Holy wow! My mouth is truly watering right now. I always think of dips too – just made one myself. But it’s not apple or toffee.
LOVE this SO much!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted..Sugar-Free Pumpkin Snack Cake
dips are a wonderful fall back for recipes to bring to get togethers or parties – everyone LOVES a good dip!
Yummo! This reminds me of the toffee dip I made last month that I was completely obsessed with. I like the spices you added!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes recently posted..Crock Pot Chicken and Wild Rice
The cinnamon spice makes it so very nice!
There are so many amazing dessert dips out there, I just don’t know where to start. Okay, this one has Heath bars in it, so that is the BEST place to start. Thanks for another incredible recipe!
This looks awesome–hee, I made something with Heath Bits O’Brickle yesterday, though of course it did not photograph nearly as well as your stuff.
I’m still waiting for your photography tutorial! How are you doing there with the weather? I’ve been thinking about you and sending good thoughts your way!
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl recently posted..Homemade Gumdrops
thanks for the good thoughts and wishes Ashley! All is well in Baltimore.
I love the heath bits o brickle chunks!
I want to jump in and swim in this glorious dip! I’m a dip girl too!
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. recently posted..Witches’ Brew
Umm.. next time I’m inviting myself to your party! Cinnamon + toffee + cream cheese? – Yes, yes and yes! What a fabulous recipe, Sally!
baker street recently posted..Easy Tips: Cookie Packaging
let’s have a party together ok? bring all your wonderful muffins!
So if I had this dip in front of me, I might just eat it by the spoonful. To heck with the apples for dipping.
YUMMMM!!!
Colleen @ What’s Baking in the Barbershop?! recently posted..Wedding Week!
The second night I made this dip, I ate it with a spoon too
Thanks Colleen!
Drool. Love this dip! I could totally go for a bowl right now
Back For Seconds recently posted..Back For Seconds Social *Link Party* and {Features}
Love dips for apples!
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie recently posted..October Bakin’ Friends
I am a big dip person too – I normally hover over the chip/dip area at parties. Normal people get a place and help themselves to a nice friendly serving. Not me, I just stand over it and dip like I haven’t eaten in days. I’m not going to lie it’s a bit of a problem.
And I loooove toffee dip with apples!! Definitelty one of my favorite things ever
You seriously can’t go wrong 
Nicole @ The Marvelous Misadventures of Foodie recently posted..Monster Cereal Treats
Hi Nicole! I gorge on the dip bowl too lol. We’d have to fight eachother for it at a party lol
I’m definitely with you – what’s a party without dips?? And apple dippers make all things seems healthy so I can eat as much as I want
Love this!
Anna @ hiddenponies recently posted..FALL DECOR: Easy as Pumpkin Pie
I live for dips.
Thanks Anna!!
Any kind of dip is high on my party food list! I love this apple inspired dip! These are some of the best flavors to pair with apples. Or your spoon. Teehee. Happy Halloween!
Reeni recently posted..Lemon Honey Goat Cheese Crusted Chicken
You know that I’m totally bringing this dip to my next party, right?
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious recently posted..Pumpkin Bundt Cake with Pumpkin Glaze #Bundtamonth and a Giveaway!
please invite me because i ran out of heath bars.
Sally, you’re my kind of lady. While everyone was out buying milk, I was buying martini supplies. These look wonderful. Yummo!
Jennie @themessybakerblog recently posted..Sponsor Spotlight~ Anita from Hungry Couple
I like any kind of dip for a party treat actually… usually savory, but this dip looks so good!! I think ppl would DIE over it!
I’m a savory dip girl too – dessert dips are typically too sweet! This dip is the perfect balance of sweet and somewhat salty with the heath bars and cream cheese. =)
What a great addition to any party! I brought witch fingers and Oreo stuffed brownies. This looks waaaay quicker and probably even more delicious. After all, it’s just goo! I’d eat it with a spoon. I guess that’s not so good for parties. Oh well. Have to make it for myself!
Erin @ Texanerin Baking recently posted..Pumpkin Chai Latte
but your witch fingers were ADORABLE Erin! And Everyone loves brownies. imagine if we were at the same party – I wouldn’t know what to choose between the dip and your dessert treats
Such a great idea – this looks so so good!
Sinead recently posted..Fright Night
I LOVE recipes like this! I think I might have tried almost this exact recipe before, but it was a nightmare scraping the chocolate from the Heath bars (especially without using my teeth…). But, it was so good that I kept it for myself instead of taking it to the party it was initially created for!
Thanks for sharing an awesome, delightful product, and getting me hungry!
Rachael recently posted..Blogger Spotlight: Little House Living
Hi Rachael! When I’m eating heath bars, i do scrape off the chocolate! But I kept the chocolate on the heath bars for this recipe. Let me know if you make this dip. Because if you like toffee, you’re going to LOVE this.
Ok…this looks amazing too! I want it in my belly on the ASAP! But my husband isn’t even around…I can’t make it for just me! haha.
Will try as soon as I can.
Trudy recently posted..Weekend fun and Sunday Blues
Thanks Trudy – this dip is highly addicting lol. I made it for my boyfriend and I and it was gone in no time. I kind of wish I made it just for me! Let me know if/when you make it
Made this dip tonight and took it to a clothes party – it was a smash, thanks!!! Great, creative recipe Sally!!
That sounds like fun! I wish I had a party to bring it to this weekend – if I make it for myself, I’d eat the whole recipe! Thanks Kate!
Your blog is THE BEST!!! I’ve seen thousands of foodie blogs.. especially on Pinterest, and I have to tell you- yours has got to be the most mouth-watering! Keep ‘em coming! I can’t wait to try ALL of these!
Hi Jessica!! You are the sweetest! Wow, thank you so much for saying all those kind things. I truly appreciate it and that you are a follower.
ooohh. we ALWAYS have apples in the house. we are such apple lovers! this would go great with our usual apple stash! you are so creative, like usual!
tijuana (po’ man meals) recently posted..spicy shrimp dip
I always have apples around too! I’ve used this dip for pretzels and graham crackers as well. Yum! Thanks so much Tijuana!
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