Ingredients:

  • 16 oz (two blocks) Full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 1/4 cup Icing (powdered) sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract
  • 1 Tablespoon Unsalted butter
  • 2 medium Firm, crisp apples, peeled and finely diced (e.g., Honeycrisp, Gala)
  • 2 Tablespoons Light brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon Ground nutmeg (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon Fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup High-quality store-bought caramel sauce
  • Pinch Flaky sea salt (e.g., Maldon), for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Cream Cheese Base: In a medium bowl, use a rubber spatula or an electric hand mixer to combine the softened cream cheese, sifted icing sugar, and vanilla extract.
  2. Beat until the mixture is completely smooth, lump-free, and visibly lighter in texture (about 2 minutes). Transfer the mixture to a shallow serving dish or platter and spread it evenly into a thin, cohesive layer.
  3. Cook the Spiced Apple Topping: Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the diced apples and sauté for 3–5 minutes until they begin to soften but still retain a slight bite (al dente).
  4. Caramelise and Spice: Stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Cook for another 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens slightly, thoroughly coating the apples.
  5. Cool the Topping: Remove the spiced apples from the heat and allow them to cool down almost completely (around 10-15 minutes). This is crucial, as hot apples will melt the cream cheese base.
  6. Assemble the Spread: Gently spoon the cooled spiced apple mixture evenly over the chilled cream cheese base.
  7. Drizzle and Season: Warm the caramel sauce slightly if needed to ensure smooth drizzling. Spoon or drizzle the caramel generously over the apple layer. Finish with a light, even sprinkle of flaky sea salt.
  8. Chill: Cover the dish lightly and chill in the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes to allow the spread to set firmly and the flavors to marry up nicely. Serve with ginger snaps, vanilla wafers, or fresh apple slices.