Caramel Pecan Cheesecake Fruit Dip Recipe

If there was the perfect dish to pair with fruit, this is it! The caramel pecan cheesecake dish is the ideal accompaniment for your favorite dipping fruit, whether it be sliced apples, strawberries, or anything in-between. The recipe features a mixture of cream cheese, vanilla yogurt, and marshmallow fluff, which combine to create a sweet and creamy base. We should also mention that there is caramel sauce in the dip and on top because the more caramel, the better. And, with chopped pecans on top, it's literally the icing on the cake — er, dip.

Recipe developer Jennine Rye of the Marshside Pantry came up with this fruit dip recipe that would be great at a party or family gathering. "I love how fun this recipe is. It's such a quick and easy dessert option to throw together, and it's nice to have a different option to chocolate fondue for those who aren't fans of chocolate," Rye raves. "It's also a really good dish for a casual event or to feed a gathering of people: it's speedy to make and people can help themselves as much as they want." She also points out that this dip pleases a crowd. "It's a great way to feed a whole bunch of people, and as they can help themselves it's good for those more casual events," she shares. "It's also great for children's parties, you might just want to make sure they are keeping it hygienic!"

To make this dip, you will only need a few things — which is just another bonus. Be sure to pick up cream cheese, marshmallow fluff, vanilla yogurt, caramel sauce, and pecans.

One more thing to keep in mind is that you can swap out the caramel if you desire. "It is possible to go with different flavors for the fruit dip, so if caramel sauce is something you are struggling to find then you can omit it and lean on a different flavor by mixing a spoonful of that in instead (like strawberry sauce, Nutella etc)," Rye notes.

Measure out the pecans and then dump them on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, chop the pecans into smaller pieces. 

"Pecans can be chopped any number of ways, I find the easiest way is to put the pecans on a chopping board, and, using a large knife, put my hand on the top and gently press down in a sawing motion. Then just keep moving the knife around the board in that same motion, making sure to keep your fingers well out of the way," Rye says. "It's also possible to put them in a food processor for a few short bursts. You don't want to end up with pecan dust though, so make sure not to blend them too finely!" 

For this step, you will need a medium-sized bowl or a stand mixer — either will do just fine, though a stand mixer makes things a little easier. Add the cream cheese, marshmallow fluff, vanilla yogurt, and 2 tablespoons of caramel sauce.

Turn on the mixer and beat everything together until well-mixed. "The only mistake to watch out for here is making sure to mix it all properly so there aren't lumps of cream cheese or marshmallow fluff that haven't been properly combined," Rye notes. "It's really simple to throw together though it's a great option for people who aren't so confident with baking and desserts!" Who doesn't love an easy dessert?

Go ahead and transfer the cream cheese mixture into a serving dish of your choice. Then, add the chopped pecans on top. The layer of crunch adds the perfect extra texture to the creamy dip. The last thing you will need to add is the final tablespoon of caramel sauce, so just drizzle it over the top.

"The flavor of this fruit dip is like a deliciously sweet caramel cheesecake. It has the richness and warmth from the caramel, and the tang of the cream cheese underneath. The vanilla yogurt and the marshmallow fluff add sweetness and that beautiful vanilla aroma as a base note," Rye raves. "The pecans add the perfect finishing touch. It's also wonderfully light, I could quite happily just eat it with a spoon!" 

Now, you can serve the dip as you wish. Not only does this caramel pecan cheesecake fruit dip look good, but it also tastes fantastic. 

This is best served with fresh fruit, but Rye provides a few additional serving suggestions. "This dish is great served alongside other desserts for a dessert spread, or as a fun family meal dessert option. It's great for kids and, if the dip is served with a variety of colorful fresh fruit, can encourage children toward a healthier diet," Rye shares. "It's also possible to serve this dip alongside other sweet things like biscuits, marshmallows or chunks of vanilla cake." 

If you happen to have anything left, be sure to package it up for another day. "Leftovers will keep well in the fridge, stored in an airtight container, for up to 5 days," Rye says. We hope you love this dip as much as we do!