Toffee Cream Cheese Dip with Apples

“Mum, can I have a snack?”

A simple question, with about a zillion possible answers, most of which start with “yes” followed by….what??? What the heck do you feed your kids after school that is good for them, but doesn’t take much preparation? Apples, though deliciously sweet and crisp (and that secretly deliver all kinds of vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber into their bellies) aren’t all that enticing to kids. Even my kids, who like apples very much, sometimes grumble when I offer them, and are probably thinking, “It’s not too late for me to be adopted by another family…”

Today’s question was more pointedly specific: “Can I have a snack, and something that isn’t JUST healthy?”  In my vast (not) experience of child-rearing, a collective 28 years, I know that to be code for sugar.  Fine, okay, a little sweetness to go with the good stuff. You got it — apples with toffee cream cheese dip. YUM.

We’ve had two test-runs of this stuff, and it is a hands-down favorite. Suddenly the word “apple” conjures up happy gastro-memories in their minds, and they are no longer looking to be legally emancipated from their mother.  So, the next time your kid wants a snack, and you want to hang onto your healthy eating standards, give this one a try.  It gives them the good stuff they need, and a little sweetness they want, keeping the family a happy, healthy unit 🙂

Toffee Cream Cheese Dip with Apples
adapted from For the Love of Cooking 

8 oz whipped cream cheese
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons Heath toffee bits or butterscotch chips (chopped)

In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, brown sugar and vanilla until well incorporated.  Transfer to serving bowl and sprinkle toffee bits or butterscotch chips on top.

Serve with apples or pear slices, celery sticks, whole wheat crackers, or pretzels.

Happy munching!