Dreamy Caramel Apple Éclair Cake Recipe for Sweet Moments

Dessert lovers rejoice as this decadent caramel apple clafir cake recipe weaves together autumn’s most beloved flavors into a single stunning creation.

Warm spices dance with sweet caramel, creating a symphony of taste that melts in your mouth.

Layers of tender cake embrace soft apple pieces, promising a delightful experience with every forkful.

Crisp fall afternoons call for something special, and this dessert answers that culinary whisper.

Imagine the rich aroma filling your kitchen, beckoning everyone to the table.

Comfort and elegance merge seamlessly in this irresistible treat that turns an ordinary moment into a celebration.

Get ready to indulge in a slice of pure deliciousness that will become your new seasonal favorite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 8 hours 30 minutes

Calories: 392 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients for Caramel Apple Éclair Cake

• Cinnamon Graham Crackers: Provides a sweet, spicy foundation that adds warmth and crunch to the dessert, select crackers with a robust cinnamon flavor for maximum taste.
• Caramel Dip: Delivers rich, golden sweetness that creates a luxurious topping, choose a thick and smooth commercial caramel for best drizzling consistency.

• Apples: Offers crisp, tangy freshness and natural sweetness, pick firm baking varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that hold their shape during cooking.
• Sugar: Enhances apple's natural sweetness and helps create a syrupy texture, use granulated white sugar for even distribution.
• Cinnamon: Provides warm, aromatic spice that complements apple's natural flavor, select fresh ground cinnamon for maximum potency.
• Flour: Acts as a thickening agent to prevent excess liquid, use all-purpose flour to absorb extra apple juices.

• Vanilla Pudding Mix: Creates a smooth, rich base for the filling, choose instant pudding mix for quick preparation.
• Milk: Helps activate pudding mix and creates creamy consistency, whole milk provides richer texture.
• Sour Cream: Adds tangy depth and extra creaminess to the filling, select full-fat sour cream for maximum richness.
• Cool Whip: Lightens the filling and adds airy texture, use original flavor for best blending.

Tools to Build Caramel Apple Éclair Cake

• 9×13 baking dish: Perfect for layering and storing the entire cake.
• Large saucepan: Essential for cooking and softening the apples with sugar and cinnamon.
• Large mixing bowl: Used for preparing the creamy pudding filling.
• Whisk: Helps blend pudding and milk smoothly without lumps.
• Microwave-safe bowl: Needed for warming the caramel dip.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Helps stir and spread ingredients evenly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.

Instructions for Caramel Apple Éclair Cake

• Apple Preparation

Gently cook chopped apples with warming spices in a saucepan until soft and slightly thickened. Let the mixture cool completely to room temperature.

• Creamy Filling Creation

Blend silky vanilla pudding with rich dairy ingredients until smooth and luxurious. Fold in fluffy whipped topping for extra creaminess.

• First Foundation Layer

Create the base by arranging cinnamon graham crackers across the baking dish. This becomes the sturdy groundwork for the dessert.

• Apple and Pudding Layers

Generously spread cooked apples over the graham cracker base. Top with half the pudding mixture, creating delicious waves of flavor.

• Secondary Building

Add another graham cracker layer. Cover with remaining apple mixture and pudding, building height and texture.

• Caramel Crown

Warm caramel sauce until slightly runny. Drizzle and spread across the top layer for a golden, glossy finish.

• Flavor Melding

Refrigerate the entire creation for several hours. This allows all ingredients to harmonize and develop deep, complex tastes.

Tips for Rich Flavor in Caramel Apple Éclair Cake

• Replace cinnamon graham crackers with honey or regular graham crackers for a different flavor profile. Experiment with different cookie bases like vanilla wafers or shortbread for unique textures.
• Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts into the apple mixture for added crunch. Incorporate a splash of bourbon or rum for a sophisticated adult twist that deepens the caramel apple taste.
• Use butterscotch or French vanilla pudding instead of traditional vanilla for richer flavor complexity. Mix in a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to elevate the spice elements.
• Drizzle melted chocolate over the caramel topping for extra indulgence. Sprinkle crushed toffee bits or additional cinnamon on top just before serving to create visual and taste excitement.
• During autumn, add a layer of pumpkin puree to the filling for a festive touch. In summer, include fresh berries between layers for a fruity variation that complements the caramel apple base.

Serving Suggestions for Éclair Cake with Caramel Apples

• Dessert Companions
• Fresh Whipped Cream: Dollop a light, fluffy cloud of homemade whipped cream on each slice for an extra creamy texture that complements the caramel and apple flavors.
• Nutty Crunch Topping: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the caramel layer to add a delightful crunch and nutty depth to each bite of the éclair cake.
• Beverage Pairing: Serve alongside a warm mug of chai tea or a cold glass of milk to balance the sweet caramel and enhance the dessert's rich, comforting taste.
• Garnish Elegance: Top with a light dusting of ground cinnamon or a few thin apple slices to create a beautiful presentation that hints at the cake's delicious ingredients.

How to Store Caramel Apple Éclair Cake Correctly

• Refrigeration Magic: Store this delightful cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping its creamy texture and fresh apple flavor intact.
• Freezing Friendly: Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to freeze for 2-3 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving to maintain its delicious layers.
• Portion Protection: Cut individual slices and store them in sealed containers to keep each serving fresh and prevent moisture from affecting the graham cracker texture.
• Temperature Tip: Always keep the cake chilled until 10-15 minutes before serving to ensure the perfect creamy consistency and prevent the layers from becoming soggy.

Gooey Caramel Apple Éclair Cake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 8 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Delectable caramel apple éclair cake blends French pastry techniques with classic American dessert flavors. Layers of creamy custard, crisp pastry, and rich caramel apples create a memorable sweet experience you will want to savor slowly.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 5 lb/2.27 kg Granny Smith apples (peeled, cored, chopped into 1 in/2.54 cm pieces)
• 21 whole cinnamon graham crackers
• 16 oz/454 g caramel apple dip
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1–2 tbsps all-purpose flour
• 2 small boxes vanilla instant pudding (3.4 oz/96 g each)
• 3 ½ cups whole milk
• 0.5 cups sour cream
• 8 oz/227 g Cool Whip (thawed)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Caramelize Apples: Sauté chopped apples with sugar and cinnamon over medium-low heat until softened and juicy, thickening with a light flour dusting if needed. Cool completely at room temperature.
2. Prepare Pudding Filling: Whisk vanilla pudding mix with milk until smooth, then gently fold in sour cream and whipped topping to create a luxurious, creamy mixture.
3. Layer Foundation: Arrange cinnamon graham crackers across the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish, covering entirely with the first graham cracker layer.
4. Build First Flavor Stratum: Evenly distribute half the caramelized apple mixture over the graham crackers, then spread half the pudding mixture on top, maintaining a consistent layer.
5. Create Intermediate Layer: Position a second complete layer of graham crackers over the pudding, establishing a stable mid-point for the dessert.
6. Complete Layering: Repeat the apple and pudding distribution, topping with a final layer of graham crackers to create a smooth surface.
7. Finish with Caramel Glaze: Warm caramel sauce in short microwave intervals, then drizzle and spread evenly across the top layer for an attractive finishing touch.
8. Chill and Set: Refrigerate the assembled dessert for a minimum of 8 hours, allowing flavors to harmonize and texture to solidify perfectly.

Notes

• Prevent Watery Filling: Dust apples with flour to absorb excess liquid and create a thicker, more stable mixture for layering.
• Cool Completely: Allow caramelized apple mixture to reach room temperature before assembling to prevent soggy graham cracker layers.
• Smooth Blending Technique: Whisk pudding mix thoroughly and fold in sour cream and whipped topping gently to maintain a creamy, lump-free consistency.
• Patience Pays Off: Refrigerate for at least 8 hours to develop rich flavors and achieve the perfect cake-like texture that allows easy slicing and serving.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 392
• Sugar: 32 g
• Sodium: 156 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 58 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 34 mg