Fall brings cravings for cozy, comforting flavors, and nothing captures the essence of the season quite like caramel apples. Our Caramel Apple Dessert Cups bring together the best of apple pie and caramel apple flavors in an easy, bite-sized treat. They’re perfect for parties, family gatherings, or a simple indulgence. Made with fresh apples, buttery pastry, and gooey caramel, these dessert cups will quickly become a seasonal favorite!
Ingredients
- For the Crust:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ tsp salt
- For the Apple Filling:
- 2 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well), peeled, cored, and diced
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- For the Topping:
- ½ cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Crust
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a muffin tin.
- In a bowl, mix together the flour, butter, sugar, and salt until it forms a crumbly dough.
- Press the dough into each muffin cup, forming a small crust for each dessert cup.
- Bake the crusts for 8-10 minutes or until lightly golden. Set aside to cool.
Step 2: Prepare the Apple Filling
- In a medium saucepan, add the diced apples, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice.
- Cook over medium heat for about 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the apples are softened and the mixture thickens.
- Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
Step 3: Assemble the Dessert Cups
- Spoon the apple filling into each baked crust.
- Drizzle caramel sauce generously over the apple filling in each cup.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy!
- Add a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream if desired.
- Serve warm and enjoy the blend of buttery crust, spiced apples, and rich caramel!
Tips for Success
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a balanced flavor. Their tartness complements the sweet caramel beautifully.
- Make it ahead by preparing the apple filling in advance. This allows flavors to meld together, making the dessert even tastier.
- Homemade caramel adds a special touch but store-bought works just as well for a quick treat.
Why You’ll Love Caramel Apple Dessert Cups
Not only are these Caramel Apple Dessert Cups delicious, but they’re also the perfect portion size for individual servings. They’re easy to make ahead, and with their warm, spiced apple filling and rich caramel topping, they’ll transport you straight to a fall festival from the comfort of your kitchen.
Conclusion
These Caramel Apple Dessert Cups are the perfect way to enjoy a classic fall flavor with a twist. Whether you’re making them for a cozy night in or to impress at your next gathering, this dessert is sure to be a hit! Enjoy the taste of fall in every bite, and don’t forget to share the recipe with friends and family.
Here are some serving and storage tips for Caramel Apple Dessert Cups:
Serving Tips
- Serve Warm: These dessert cups are best enjoyed warm when the caramel is soft and the apple filling is fragrant. Simply heat them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds before serving.
- Add Toppings: Top each dessert cup with a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or even a sprinkle of crushed nuts like walnuts or pecans for added texture and flavor.
- Caramel Drizzle: Right before serving, drizzle a little extra caramel on top for a beautiful presentation and extra sweetness.
Storage Tips
- Refrigeration: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat each cup for a few seconds in the microwave to enjoy them warm again.
- Freezing: You can freeze these dessert cups for up to 1 month. Wrap each cup individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and warm them up in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5-10 minutes before serving.
- Prevent Sogginess: To keep the crust crisp, avoid drizzling the caramel until right before serving if you plan to store or freeze the dessert cups.
Enjoy these caramel apple treats whenever you crave a taste of fall!
1. Can I make the Caramel Apple Dessert Cups ahead of time?
Yes! You can make these dessert cups a day in advance. Simply store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and reheat in the microwave for 10-15 seconds before serving for that freshly baked warmth.
2. Can I use different apples for this recipe?
Absolutely! While Granny Smith apples add a nice tartness, feel free to use Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala apples if you prefer a sweeter flavor. A mix of apples also works well for added depth.
3. What’s the best way to prevent the crust from getting soggy?
To keep the crust crispy, allow the apple filling to cool slightly before spooning it into the baked crust. Also, add the caramel drizzle right before serving instead of storing it with the caramel already added.
4. Can I substitute homemade caramel sauce with store-bought?
Yes, store-bought caramel sauce works perfectly and saves time. If you’d like a homemade touch, you can make caramel sauce from scratch using sugar, butter, and cream for a richer flavor.
Caramel Apple Dessert Cups
These Caramel Apple Dessert Cups feature layers of cinnamon-spiced apples, creamy whipped filling, and a drizzle of caramel sauce. They’re easy to make and perfect for parties, offering the rich flavor of caramel apples in a bite-sized, elegant dessert cup.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Layered, No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
-
Apple Layer:
- 3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well)
- 1 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp lemon juice
-
Creamy Layer:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
-
Toppings:
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce, store-bought or homemade
- Crushed graham crackers or chopped nuts (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
-
Prepare the Apple Layer:
- In a medium skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Stir to combine.
- Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender but not mushy. Remove from heat and let cool.
-
Prepare the Creamy Layer:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until smooth and fluffy.
-
Assemble the Dessert Cups:
- In small dessert cups, layer a spoonful of the apple mixture, followed by a layer of the creamy filling.
- Repeat the layers until the cups are filled, finishing with a layer of the creamy mixture on top.
-
Add Toppings:
- Drizzle caramel sauce over the top of each dessert cup.
- Sprinkle with crushed graham crackers or nuts, if desired.
-
Chill and Serve:
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the layers to set. Serve chilled.
Notes
- Make-Ahead Tip: These dessert cups can be assembled and refrigerated up to 1 day in advance, making them an excellent choice for entertaining.
- Apple Alternatives: Pears can be substituted for apples for a fun twist.
- Caramel Sauce Option: If you prefer, make a homemade caramel sauce by melting sugar, butter, and cream for a richer, from-scratch flavor.