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.
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.
Ingredients
- Apple Layer:3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well)1 tbspbutter2 tbspbrown sugar1 tspcinnamon1/4 tspnutmeg1 tsplemon juice
- 3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well)
- 1 tbspbutter
- 2 tbspbrown sugar
- 1 tspcinnamon
- 1/4 tspnutmeg
- 1 tsplemon juice
- Creamy Layer:1 cup heavy whipping cream4ozcream cheese, softened1/4cuppowdered sugar1 tspvanilla extract
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 4ozcream cheese, softened
- 1/4cuppowdered sugar
- 1 tspvanilla extract
- Toppings:1/2 cup caramel sauce, store-bought or homemadeCrushed graham crackers or chopped nuts (optional, for garnish)
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
