Apple Cider Dip

One of my fall favorites besides pumpkin are fresh apples. We are lucky enough to have two Macintosh trees in our back yard and are spoiled to enjoy the delicious apples. Ever since I can remember I have loved a big glass of apple cider (hot or cold). It is especially perfect of a crisp day on my back porch. This year Kellen has been loving running out to the trees to pick his snack. I love that he has started to make this connection, and it is adorable to see how thrilled he was to finally eat an apple he watched grow all spring. 

I am normally not a big fan of traditional fruit dip, but I wanted to create a dip that apple cider because I love the flavors and it is perfect for fall. I though the easiest way to do this was to create a syrup to get the intense flavor I wanted from the dip.  The syrup will be a similar consistency to maple syrup, but a touch thinner.  Initially, the dip may seem a dip watery and letting it rest in the fridge will result in a thicker consistency.  

I made this dip for an evening with my girlfriends (such willing test subjects) and they all thought it was delicious and thought the cider flavor was great. I like the added cinnamon to the cider, but if you want less cinnamon flavor reduce the number of sticks used or eliminate it all together. 

Tonight is my weekly t.v. binge….. I can’t help myself and Twisty the Clown is still haunting my dreams.  Any Walking Dead watchers out there??? Wasn’t Sunday crazy!? I stupidly made the mistake of eating during the episode….bad plan and lesson learned for the future. 

Ingredients

3 cups apple cider

1/2 Tbl brown sugar

2 cinnamon sticks

12 oz cream cheese, room temperature

Ground Cinnamon

Instructions

In a medium pot, add cider, brown sugar and cinnamon sticks. Bring the cider to a simmer and heat to medium-low. Allow the cider to slowly simmer and reduce until it is a syrup. This takes about 45-60 minutes. Strain the syrup and allow it to slightly cool. Mix the syrup with the cream cheese. Cover and chill for about 30 minutes before serving. Top with ground cinnamon and serve with apple slices.