Creamy blend of spiced apples and praline crunch pairs beautifully with fruit, cookies, or graham crackers.
# Components:
→ Spiced Apple Layer
01 - 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, finely diced
02 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar
04 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
05 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
06 - Pinch ground cloves
07 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
08 - Pinch salt
→ Praline
09 - 1/2 cup pecans, coarsely chopped
10 - 1/4 cup brown sugar
11 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
12 - Pinch salt
→ Whip
13 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
14 - 1/2 cup powdered sugar
15 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
16 - 1 cup heavy whipping cream, cold
# Method:
01 - Melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add diced apples, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until apples are tender and syrup has formed, about 7 minutes. Transfer mixture to a bowl and allow it to cool completely.
02 - Wipe out the skillet and melt 1 tablespoon unsalted butter. Add chopped pecans, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. Stir constantly over medium heat until sugar melts and thoroughly coats the nuts, roughly 3 minutes. Transfer praline mixture onto parchment paper to cool, then break into small clusters.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, beat softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth. In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream using a hand or stand mixer until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until fully combined and creamy.
04 - Layer half the cream cheese whip into a serving dish. Top with half of the cooled spiced apples and half the praline clusters. Repeat with remaining whip, apple mixture, and praline. Chill assembled dip for at least 30 minutes before serving to ensure optimal texture.
