Taffy Apple Dip

Source: The Pampered Chef

Makes 4 servings.

8 ounces low-fat cream cheese
4 heaping tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon chopped pecans or walnuts, if you want
Water
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 to 3 apples

Place the cream cheese, still in the package, on the kitchen counter for 2 hours so the cheese will soften. When the cheese is soft, place it in the small mixing bowl with the brown sugar and vanilla extract. Stir with the wooden spoon until blended. Lick the spoon, then put it in the kitchen sink. Sprinkle cream cheese mixture with chopped nuts. Set aside.

Pour water into the medium mixing bowl until the bowl is half full. Add the lemon juice and stir.

Wash apples. Place a dish towel on the counter and put the cutting board on top of it. Place an apple, stem-side-up, on the cutting board. With a sharp knife, cut off one side of the apple, as close to the center as you can. Place the apple cut side down on the board. Cut off another side of the apple. Keep turning and cutting off the side of the apple until you've made four cuts and the core of the apple is removed. Throw away the core. Cut each hunk of apple into slices. Place the slices in the water-lemon juice mixture to keep them from turning brown and repeat with the rest of the apples.

When you're done cutting the apples, drain the wedges and serve them with the cream cheese mixture on the side for dipping.