Dessert Dips: 17 Sweet 5 Minute Bowls That Steal the Holiday Party

Dessert dips are the lazy host’s secret weapon. There is no oven, no stress, and most of them take about 5 minutes in one bowl. Google searches for pumpkin dip went from zero to near their peak in eight weeks this fall, and caramel apple dip searches are up 500 percent. So here are the sweet dips worth making this Thanksgiving and Christmas, from pumpkin fluff and caramel apple to cannoli, cheesecake, peppermint bark and a warm fudge dip. Each slide has a short shopping list and simple steps, plus the best things to dip. Grab a tray, a stack of bowls and a spoon..

Dessert Dips Start With Pumpkin Fluff Dip

No oven, no stress, about 5 minutes each. Pumpkin fluff dip is the classic: instant vanilla pudding, pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice folded into whipped topping until it turns light and fluffy. Pumpkin Fluff Dip on Allrecipes has more than 1,100 ratings. Set it out with a tray of dippers and watch it disappear before the pie is cut..

You will need: 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree, 1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix, 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 8 oz whipped topping (thawed), gingersnaps, graham crackers and apple slices for dipping

How to make it: 1. Stir the pumpkin, dry pudding mix and spice together until smooth. 2. Gently fold in the whipped topping. 3. Spoon into a serving bowl and dust with cinnamon. 4. Chill at least 1 hour so it firms up. 5. Serve with gingersnaps, graham crackers and apple slices.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Dip Served in a Mini Pumpkin

This version is richer than fluff dip, with cream cheese and brown sugar beaten with pumpkin and warm spices. Serving it inside a small hollowed out pumpkin makes it the prettiest bowl on the table. Searches for a pumpkin dip bowl just broke out on Google this fall. Would you serve it A: in a pumpkin or B: in a plain bowl?

You will need: 8 oz cream cheese softened, 1 cup pumpkin puree, 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ginger, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1 small pie pumpkin for serving (optional)

How to make it: 1. Beat the cream cheese until smooth. 2. Beat in pumpkin, both sugars and spices. 3. Cut the top off the small pumpkin and scoop it clean. 4. Spoon the dip inside, or into a bowl lined with plastic wrap. 5. Chill 1 hour and serve with gingersnaps and apple slices.

Caramel Apple Dip With Toffee Bits, One of the Fastest Dessert Dips

Searches for caramel apple dip are up 500 percent this fall, and one bite tells you why. Cream cheese and brown sugar beat into a soft caramel flavored base, then crunchy toffee bits go on top. It tastes like a caramel apple without the sticky mess. Have a bowl of sliced apples ready, because guests will go straight for it.

You will need: 8 oz cream cheese softened, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/2 cup toffee bits, caramel sauce for drizzling, sliced apples for dipping

How to make it: 1. Beat cream cheese, both sugars and vanilla until smooth. 2. Spread into a shallow dish. 3. Drizzle with caramel sauce. 4. Sprinkle the toffee bits over the top. 5. Serve with apple slices tossed in a little lemon juice so they stay white.

Cannoli Dip, the Bakery Favorite of Dessert Dips

All the creamy, sweet filling of an Italian bakery cannoli, without the fried shells. Ricotta and mascarpone or cream cheese are whipped with powdered sugar and a little orange zest, then mini chocolate chips go in. Serve it with broken waffle cones or pizzelles for that crunchy shell feel. Of all the dessert dips here, is this the one you would try first?

You will need: 1 cup whole milk ricotta (drained), 4 oz cream cheese or mascarpone, 3/4 cup powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/2 tsp orange zest, 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips, broken waffle cones or pizzelles for dipping

How to make it: 1. Drain the ricotta in a fine strainer for 30 minutes. 2. Beat ricotta, cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and zest until smooth. 3. Fold in most of the chocolate chips. 4. Spoon into a bowl and top with the rest of the chips. 5. Chill and serve with cone pieces.

Cheesecake Dip, No Bake Dessert Dips at Their Easiest

Cheesecake dip gives you that tangy, creamy cheesecake taste in 5 minutes, with zero baking and zero cracking. Swirl a spoon of berry jam on top and stand graham crackers around it like a crust you dip. It is one of the easiest dessert dips to make ahead the night before. Strawberry or blueberry swirl?

You will need: 8 oz cream cheese softened, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 tsp lemon juice, 1 cup whipped topping, 3 tbsp berry jam, graham crackers and strawberries for dipping

How to make it: 1. Beat cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, vanilla and lemon until smooth. 2. Fold in the whipped topping. 3. Spoon into a bowl. 4. Drop the jam on top and swirl with a knife. 5. Chill and serve with graham crackers and berries.

Egg Free Cookie Dough Dip, Made Safe

Cookie dough dip is pure fun, but raw flour and raw eggs are not safe to eat. This dip has no eggs at all, and you heat treat the flour first, which only takes a minute in the microwave. Then it is butter, brown sugar, vanilla and plenty of chocolate chips. Kids and grown ups both line up for it at any party with dessert dips. Do you sneak spoonfuls of cookie dough?

You will need: 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup soft butter, 4 oz cream cheese, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, pinch of salt, 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips, graham sticks or pretzels

How to make it: 1. Microwave the flour in a bowl in 30 second bursts, stirring, until it reaches 165 F, then cool. 2. Beat butter, cream cheese and both sugars until fluffy. 3. Beat in vanilla, salt and the cooled flour. 4. Stir in the chocolate chips. 5. Serve with pretzels or graham sticks.

Alcohol Free Eggnog Dip for Christmas Parties

If you love eggnog season, this dip is for you. Store bought eggnog (no alcohol) gets beaten with cream cheese and instant vanilla pudding, then finished with a dusting of nutmeg. It is creamy, sweet and smells like Christmas. Serve it with gingersnaps and sugar cookies, like most spiced dessert dips. Is eggnog a yes or a no at your house?

You will need: 8 oz cream cheese softened, 1 cup cold store bought eggnog (alcohol free), 1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix, 1 cup whipped topping, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, 1/2 tsp cinnamon

How to make it: 1. Whisk the eggnog and pudding mix for 2 minutes. 2. Beat the cream cheese until smooth, then beat in the pudding. 3. Fold in the whipped topping and spices. 4. Chill 30 minutes. 5. Dust with nutmeg and serve with gingersnaps.

Peppermint Bark Dip, Christmas Dessert Dips at Their Best

This dip tastes like a bite of peppermint bark: white chocolate, cool peppermint and crunchy crushed candy canes. Melted white chips are stirred into a cream cheese base so the dip stays soft and scoopable. Serve it with chocolate wafer cookies or pretzels for a sweet and salty mix. It is one of the most festive dessert dips you can make.

You will need: 8 oz cream cheese softened, 1/2 cup white chocolate chips melted and cooled, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp peppermint extract, 1 cup whipped topping, 1/2 cup crushed candy canes, chocolate wafers or pretzels

How to make it: 1. Beat the cream cheese until smooth. 2. Beat in the melted white chocolate, sugar and peppermint. 3. Fold in the whipped topping and most of the candy. 4. Top with the rest of the candy just before serving. 5. Serve with chocolate wafers or pretzels.

Gingerbread Dip That Tastes Like Cookie Dough

Molasses, brown sugar, ginger and cinnamon turn plain cream cheese into a dip that tastes just like gingerbread cookie dough. It is warm and spicy and pairs perfectly with crisp apple slices, vanilla wafers or graham crackers. Make it the day before so the spices come through. Gingerbread or sugar cookie: which is your Christmas favorite?

You will need: 8 oz cream cheese softened, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp molasses, 1 tsp ginger, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp cloves, 1 cup whipped topping, vanilla wafers or apple slices

How to make it: 1. Beat cream cheese, brown sugar and molasses until smooth. 2. Beat in the spices. 3. Fold in the whipped topping. 4. Chill at least 1 hour, or overnight. 5. Serve with vanilla wafers, graham crackers or apples.

Brownie Batter Dip for the Chocolate Lovers

This is what every kid wanted when they licked the brownie bowl. Cocoa powder, cream cheese and powdered sugar whip up into a thick, fudgy dip with no raw eggs and no raw flour. Add a handful of mini marshmallows or sprinkles on top. Strawberries and pretzels are the best dippers for chocolate dessert dips. Who in your family licks the spoon?

You will need: 8 oz cream cheese softened, 1/2 cup soft butter, 1/2 cup cocoa powder, 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 1/4 cup milk, 1 tsp vanilla, mini chocolate chips or sprinkles, strawberries and pretzels

How to make it: 1. Beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. 2. Beat in cocoa and powdered sugar on low. 3. Add milk and vanilla and beat until fluffy. 4. Spoon into a bowl and top with chips or sprinkles. 5. Serve with strawberries and pretzels.

Funfetti Cake Batter Dip

This bright, sprinkle filled dip tastes just like birthday cake batter. Dry cake mix (heat treated in the microwave first, just like flour) is whipped with yogurt and whipped topping into a light, fluffy dip. It is one of the most fun dessert dips for a kids table or a holiday cookie swap. Who wants the first animal cracker?

You will need: 1 cup yellow or white cake mix, 1 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1 cup whipped topping, 1/4 cup rainbow sprinkles plus extra for the top, animal crackers and vanilla wafers for dipping

How to make it: 1. Microwave the dry cake mix in 30 second bursts, stirring, until it reaches 165 F, then cool. 2. Whisk the cooled mix with the yogurt. 3. Fold in the whipped topping. 4. Stir in the sprinkles and chill 30 minutes. 5. Top with more sprinkles and serve with animal crackers.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Dip in 5 Minutes

Peanut butter and chocolate are the classic pair, and this dip brings them together in one creamy bowl. It is great with apple slices, pretzels and bananas, and the peanut butter adds a little protein. Swirl melted chocolate on top just before serving. Peanut butter fans, how fast would this disappear at your house? Note: keep a nut free dip on the table for guests with allergies.

You will need: 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, 4 oz cream cheese softened, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 cup whipped topping, 1/4 cup chocolate chips melted, apples, pretzels and bananas

How to make it: 1. Beat peanut butter, cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth. 2. Fold in the whipped topping. 3. Spoon into a serving bowl. 4. Drizzle with melted chocolate and swirl. 5. Serve with apples, pretzels and bananas.

Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip for the Holidays

Sweet and tart cranberry sauce spooned over a whipped orange cream cheese base looks gorgeous on a holiday table, all red and white. It is a smart way to use leftover cranberry sauce after Thanksgiving, one of the prettiest dessert dips of the season, and it works with both sweet cookies and crackers. Serve it with shortbread or cinnamon pita chips.

You will need: 8 oz cream cheese softened, 1/4 cup powdered sugar, 1 tsp orange zest, 1 cup whole berry cranberry sauce, 2 tbsp chopped pecans, shortbread cookies or cinnamon pita chips

How to make it: 1. Beat cream cheese, sugar and orange zest until fluffy. 2. Spread in a shallow dish. 3. Spoon the cranberry sauce over the top. 4. Sprinkle with pecans. 5. Serve with shortbread or cinnamon pita chips.

Lemon Pie Dip, Bright Dessert Dips for Heavy Holiday Tables

All the bright, tangy flavor of a lemon pie, ready in a bowl in 5 minutes. Lemon curd and lemon zest are folded into a whipped cream cheese base for a fresh, light dip that cuts through all the heavy holiday sweets. Serve it with vanilla wafers, blueberries and shortbread. Do you prefer A: lemon or B: chocolate desserts?

You will need: 8 oz cream cheese softened, 1/2 cup lemon curd, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 cup whipped topping, vanilla wafers, blueberries and shortbread

How to make it: 1. Beat the cream cheese until smooth. 2. Beat in the lemon curd, sugar and zest. 3. Fold in the whipped topping. 4. Spoon into a bowl and add a little zest on top. 5. Chill and serve with vanilla wafers and berries.

Warm Hot Fudge Dip, Fondue Style

For a cozy party, keep a small pot of warm fudge dip on low heat and let everyone dunk. It is just chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk and a splash of milk, melted together on the stove in 5 minutes. Set out marshmallows, strawberries, pound cake cubes and pretzels. A small slow cooker on the warm setting keeps it smooth for hours, which makes it one of the easiest warm dessert dips for a long party.

You will need: 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips, 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk, 1/4 cup milk, 1 tsp vanilla, pinch of salt, strawberries, marshmallows, pound cake cubes, pretzels

How to make it: 1. Put the chips, condensed milk and milk in a small pot. 2. Stir over low heat until melted and smooth. 3. Stir in vanilla and salt. 4. Move to a small slow cooker on warm, or a fondue pot. 5. Serve with fruit, marshmallows and cake cubes.

Two Ingredient Marshmallow Fruit Dip

Some of the best dessert dips are also the simplest. Beat a jar of marshmallow creme into softened cream cheese and you have a fluffy, sweet dip that kids love with strawberries, grapes and pineapple. It takes 2 minutes and keeps in the fridge for 3 days. Add a little orange zest for a grown up twist. Which fruit do you dip first? For more tiny shopping lists, see our two ingredient recipes.

You will need: 8 oz cream cheese softened, 1 jar (7 oz) marshmallow creme, optional 1 tsp orange zest, strawberries, grapes, pineapple and apple slices

How to make it: 1. Beat the cream cheese until fluffy. 2. Beat in the marshmallow creme until smooth. 3. Stir in orange zest if you like. 4. Spoon into a bowl. 5. Serve with a platter of fresh fruit.

The Dipper Guide: What to Serve With Dessert Dips

The dippers make the tray. Pick one fruit, one cookie and one salty crunch for every dip. Apples and pears go with caramel and pumpkin dips; strawberries with chocolate and cheesecake; gingersnaps and vanilla wafers with spiced and lemon dips; pretzels with anything sweet. Plan about 1 cup of dippers per guest. Thanksgiving is November 26, so stock up now.

You will need: Apple and pear slices tossed in lemon juice, strawberries, grapes, gingersnaps, vanilla wafers, graham crackers, shortbread, pretzels, waffle cone pieces, animal crackers

How to make it: 1. Choose 3 dips with different flavors. 2. Pick 1 fruit, 1 cookie and 1 salty dipper for each. 3. Slice apples last and toss in lemon juice. 4. Put each dip in the middle of a board and surround it with its dippers. 5. Refill the fruit every hour.