Caramel Apple Dessert Cups

Introduction

I am actually a bit obsessed with these Caramel Apple Dessert Cups. They are fall for me — that warm caramel, the clean sweetness of apples, and comfort food that’s eaten by spoonfuls. Every time I make them, I feel like I’m pulling off something fancy when, in reality, it’s just about as easy as they come.

Think of it as everything a cozy apple pie would keep (layered, creamy, sweet, but sans the fuss) without having to create every single ounce of the crust from scratch. You would instead enjoy those layers of buttery graham cracker crumbs, cinnamon-spiced apples, smooth whipped cream or pudding, and even a generous drizzle of that saucy caramel.

What really makes a dessert worth your time is that it combines all possible textures-soft apples, crunchy crumbs, creamy filling, and that sticky caramel tying it all together. It feels itself indulgent but also similar to that casual, cozy, at-home treat you would serve at a family dinner or whip up just for yourself on a chilly evening.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I’m going to make a bold statement: once you try these cups, you’ll want to make them on repeat. Here’s why:

• Ideal flavor balance- Sweet caramel, coupled with tart apples has just a dab of spice.
• Easy to assemble-No baking necessary. Just a few simple steps.
• Customize: base swap, cream switch, or use your own favorite variety of apple.
• Portable and fun – Served in cups or jars, these are ideal for parties or portion control.
• Make-ahead friendly – You can prep them in advance without losing flavor or texture.

Tools You’ll Need

Let’s keep it simple. Here’s what you’ll want on the counter before you start:

• Mixing bowl – For tossing your apples with cinnamon and sugar.
• Saucepan – To gently cook the apples until soft and fragrant.
• Wooden spoon or spatula – To stir without bruising the apples.
• Measuring cups and spoons – Essential for getting the right balance of crumbs and cream.
• Whisk – To whip cream or pudding smooth.
• Serving cups or jars – Clear ones look especially pretty since you can see all the layers.
• Small saucepan (optional) – If you’re making homemade caramel sauce instead of store-bought.

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Ingredients (US & Metric)

For the apple layer:

• 3 medium apples (about 450 g), peeled, cored, and diced
• 2 tbsp (25 g) granulated sugar
• 1 tsp (2 g) cinnamon
• 1 tbsp (15 g) butter

For the crumb base:

• 1 cup (100 g) graham cracker crumbs (or digestive biscuits, crushed)
• 2 tbsp (25 g) brown sugar
• 3 tbsp (45 g) melted butter

For the creamy layer:

• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream, whipped until soft peaks (or use vanilla pudding for ease)
• 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract

For topping:

• ½ cup (120 ml) caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• A pinch of flaky sea salt (optional but so good)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the apples.
2. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Toss the diced apples, sugar, and cinnamon in it. Stir and let it cook for about 5–7 minutes or until it gets soft and shiny on the outside. Don’t worry if some edges caramelize—that’s flavor gold.
3. Make the crumb base.
4. Prepare the Crumb base. Combine the graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, and melted butter in a bowl. Mix until it resembles damp sand. Taste via pinch, and you will get that buttery-sweet crunch, which is irreplaceable with any other base out there.
5. Whip the cream.
6. Whip the Cream. If you’re going with whipped cream, beat it well with vanilla until soft peaks form. If pudding is more your speed, whisk it until smooth and set aside. Either way, you’re making that creamy layer to counterbalance the apples.
7. Assemble the layers.
8. Assemble the Layers. Grab your serving cups or jars, but start with 2-3 spoons of your crumb mixture on the bottom. Add the spiced apples, a spoonful of the cream or pudding, and repeat until you reach the top.
9. Add the caramel magic.
10. To the top, add some caramel magic. Drizzle generously with the caramel sauce on top, and if you’d like to really get fancy, add a tiny pinch of sea salt for that sweet-salty pop.
11. Chill (optional).
12. You can serve immediately for a softer texture or chill for 30 minutes to let the flavors mingle. Serving Ideas.

Serving Ideas

• Serve in mason jars, then at picnics or during parties.
• Crushed nuts on top add amazing crunch (pecans or walnuts).
• Add a swirl of whipped cream with a tiny apple slice for garnish.
• Make minions in shot glasses for a cool party dessert.

Variations & Customizations

• Change it to a healthier option by switching whipped cream for Greek yogurt.
• Different fruit – Pears or peaches also go beautifully with this.
• Pumpkin spice version: ground ginger, nutmeg, and cloves mixed in with the apple mixture.
• Cookie base – Use crushed Oreos, Biscoff, or shortbread instead of graham crackers.

Storage & Make-Ahead

• Covered in the refrigerator, this lasts up to 3 days.
• Prepare-ahead: The apple filling and the crumbs can be prepared 1-2 days in advance; assemble right before serving to keep the layers fresh.
• Freezer: Not recommended; after thawing, the cream and apples do not hold up well.

Pro Tips & Mistakes to Avoid

Let me share a few secrets from making these cups a dozen times:

• Use tart apples (like Granny Smith) if you want that sweet-tart punch.
• Sweet apples can make the dessert overly rich. Don’t overcook the apples; soft, but not mushy-the bite has some texture.
• Layer neatly. While in clear cups, these will show off those layers, so spoon carefully.
• Warm caramel slightly before drizzling. Cold caramel can clump instead of flowing smoothly.
• Avoid soggy crumbs. Add crumbs as the first layer only; too many in the middle can get mushy from the apples.

Recipe Details

• Yield: 6 servings
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes

Nutrition (per serving, approximate)

• Calories: 320
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Fat: 17 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Sugar: 28 g

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving something cozy, sweet, and easy enough to pull together on a weeknight, these Caramel Apple Dessert Cups are your answer. They look fancy, taste indulgent, and can be customized to fit whatever mood or season you’re in.