Caramel Dip

We had friends over the other night who share my loooooove of apples with caramel dip. (Not the store bought stuff. Ick.) I could wax evangelical on the pleasures of caramel, but I won't. Instead, I'll share this fantastic recipe. Consider yourself warned, though -- this dip doesn't claim to be low-fat, low-sugar, low-calorie, or low-anything else. It is most definitely in the "indulgences" food group.

(By the way, this photo isn't mine, but serving with pretzel rods seems like a tasty way to combine salty and sweet.)

Caramel Dip for Sliced Apples

2 cups butter
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup1
(14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt
Variety of cored, sliced apples

1) Combine butter, sugar, corn syrup and milk in saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar, for 5 minutes.
2) Stir in vanilla extract, cinnamon and salt. Pour into dipping bowl.
3) Serve with apple slices.