Dreamy Caramel Apple Dessert Cups Recipe for Sweet Moments

Sweet autumn nights call for a delightful caramel apple dessert cups recipe that dances between crisp and creamy textures.

Buttery pastry shells cradle a rich, golden caramel filling that promises pure indulgence.

Tart apples add a bright, fresh counterpoint to the deep sweetness of each bite.

Warm spices like cinnamon weave through the dessert, creating a comforting embrace of flavor.

These elegant cups pack all the classic apple pie charm into a single, portable treat.

Each serving delivers a perfect balance of smooth caramel and tender fruit.

You’ll want to savor every spoonful of this irresistible seasonal delight.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 9

Ingredients Needed for Caramel Apple Dessert Cups

• Vanilla Wafer Crumbs: Provides a buttery, crisp foundation that adds delightful texture and sweet undertone to the dessert.
• Unsalted Butter: Binds the crumbs together and creates a rich, golden base with smooth consistency.

• Light Brown Sugar: Enhances apple sweetness with deep caramel notes and soft molasses undertones.
• Cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic spice that complements apple's natural sweetness and creates depth.
• Apples: Brings fresh, slightly tart element and tender texture to the dessert's fruity component.
• Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: Creates smooth, creamy base with classic vanilla essence.
• Whole Milk: Ensures pudding's silky consistency and adds subtle richness.
• Salted Caramel Sauce: Introduces luxurious, complex sweetness with subtle salty contrast.
• Heavy Cream: Provides ethereal lightness and helps create airy, decadent mousse texture.

• Extra Caramel Sauce: Allows additional drizzling for enhanced sweetness and visual appeal.

Tools for Caramel Apple Dessert Cups

• Saucepan: Medium-sized pot for cooking and softening apples.
• Mixing Bowls: Large and medium sizes for preparing crust, pudding, and whipping cream.
• Cookie Scoop: Small tool for evenly portioning vanilla wafer mixture into cups.
• 2-Ounce Plastic Cups: Serving vessels for individual desserts.
• Electric Hand Mixer: Essential for blending pudding and whipping cream to perfect consistency.
• Piping Bag: Helps create neat, smooth layers of caramel mousse.
• Whisk: For combining pudding mix and milk smoothly.
• Measuring Cups: Accurately measuring ingredients like milk and cream.
• Measuring Spoons: For precise amounts of cinnamon and other ingredients.

Instructions to Prepare Caramel Apple Dessert Cups

• Cinnamon Apple Base

Dice fresh apples and simmer them with warm spices until they transform into a soft, fragrant mixture. Let the apples cool and develop rich flavors.

• Crispy Wafer Foundation

Crush vanilla wafers and blend with melted butter to create a delightful, crumbly base. Press the mixture firmly into individual serving cups.

• Creamy Caramel Layer

Whisk pudding mix with milk, then fold in luxurious salted caramel sauce. Gently incorporate whipped cream to create a silky, dreamy mousse with incredible depth.

• Dessert Cup Construction

Layer the caramel mousse over the wafer crust, then generously top with the cinnamon-infused apple mixture. Add an extra drizzle of caramel for decadent finishing touch.

• Chilling and Serving

Refrigerate the dessert cups for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and texture to set. These delightful treats can be enjoyed immediately or stored for a couple of days in the refrigerator.

Tips for Assembling Dessert Cups with Caramel

• Replace ground cinnamon with nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice to create a different flavor profile that complements the sweet caramel.
• Sprinkle chopped pecans or toasted almonds on top for an added textural element that brings delightful crunch to each bite.
• Substitute apples with pears or peaches to transform the dessert and introduce seasonal fruit flavors throughout the year.
• Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and dairy-free caramel sauce to make this dessert suitable for those with lactose restrictions.

Serving Caramel Apple Dessert Cups Neatly

• Cozy Fall Gathering Centerpiece: Arrange the dessert cups on a rustic wooden board with cinnamon sticks and fresh apple slices for a stunning autumn-inspired presentation that will wow your guests.
• Sweet Brunch Companion: Pair these dessert cups with warm coffee or spiced chai tea, creating a delightful mid-morning treat that complements weekend breakfast gatherings perfectly.
• Elegant Party Dessert Station: Set up a self-serve dessert bar with these individual cups, offering small spoons and letting guests help themselves to these delectable caramel apple treats during celebrations.
• Kid-Friendly Dessert Experience: Let children help decorate their own cups with extra caramel drizzles, whipped cream, or crushed cookie toppings, making dessert time a fun and interactive activity.

Keeping Caramel Apple Dessert Cups Fresh

• Chilled Delight Storage: Refrigerate dessert cups in airtight containers to maintain freshness and prevent flavor mixing with other foods.
• Quick Prep Tip: Make components ahead of time, storing cinnamon apples and caramel mousse separately in sealed containers for up to 2 days before final assembly.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap individual dessert cups tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bags for convenient storage up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before enjoying.
• Smart Serving Strategy: Keep unopened dessert cups refrigerated and consume within 3 days for optimal taste and texture. Recommend serving chilled for best flavor experience.

Gooey Caramel Apple Dessert Cups

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4.7 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Silky caramel apple dessert cups merge classic autumn flavors with elegant individual servings. Sweet pastry shells cradle spiced apple filling and golden caramel, offering guests a delightful personal-sized treat perfect for seasonal celebrations.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cups (960 ml / 32 fl oz) apples, peeled and chopped
• 1 ½ cups (360 ml / 12 fl oz) heavy cream
• 1 cup (240 ml / 8 fl oz) milk
• 2 cups (240 g / 8.5 oz) vanilla wafer crumbs
• ½ cup (100 g / 3.5 oz) light brown sugar
• ⅓ cup (80 ml / 2.7 fl oz) salted caramel sauce
• ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fl oz) salted or unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 package (3.4 oz / 96 g) instant vanilla pudding mix
• Additional caramel sauce for garnish

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Instructions

1. Apple Preparation: Simmer diced apples with brown sugar and cinnamon in a saucepan until tender and syrupy, then cool completely.
2. Crust Formation: Blend crushed vanilla wafers with melted butter, pressing the mixture firmly into small cups to create a compact base.
3. Pudding Base: Whisk vanilla pudding mix with milk until slightly thickened, then fold in salted caramel sauce and whipped heavy cream to develop a luxurious, airy mousse.
4. Layering: Pipe the caramel cream mixture over the wafer crust, creating a smooth and even layer.
5. Fruit Topping: Spoon the cooled cinnamon-apple filling generously over the caramel mousse, ensuring full coverage.
6. Finishing Touch: Drizzle additional caramel sauce for extra decadence and visual appeal.
7. Chilling: Refrigerate the dessert cups for at least 30 minutes to set the flavors and texture, allowing them to be enjoyed immediately or stored for 2-3 days.

Notes

• Chill for Perfect Texture: Refrigerate the dessert cups for at least 30 minutes to allow the layers to set and flavors to blend harmoniously.
• Wafer Crust Technique: Press the crumb mixture firmly and evenly to create a solid, compact base that won’t crumble when serving.
• Caramel Sauce Tip: Use high-quality salted caramel for a deeper, more complex flavor profile that elevates the entire dessert.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare these dessert cups up to 2-3 days in advance, keeping them refrigerated for a stress-free entertaining option.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg