Caramel Apple Dessert Cups: Easy Fall Treat (Print Version)

Make delightful Caramel Apple Dessert Cups! This simple recipe layers spiced apples, creamy caramel, and crisp toppings for a cozy, comforting dessert.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian

# Ingredients:

→ Sweet Apple Core

01 - 4 large apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and diced
02 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 1/4 cup light or dark brown sugar, packed
04 - 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
05 - 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

→ Caramel Magic

06 - 1/2 cup store-bought caramel sauce, plus more for drizzling

→ Crispy Topping & Garnish

07 - 1 cup graham crackers, crushed (about 8-10 full sheets)
08 - 1 cup whipped cream or Cool Whip
09 - 1/4 cup pecan pieces, toasted (optional)

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, let's get those apples ready! Grab your chosen apples – I usually peel, core, and dice them into small, bite-sized pieces, roughly half an inch. You want them small enough to fit nicely in a spoon, but not so tiny they turn to mush. As I'm dicing, I sometimes get a whiff of that fresh apple smell, which always makes me excited for the fall flavors to come. Don't worry if a few pieces are a little uneven; it adds character, honestly.
02 - Now for the stovetop magic! In a medium saucepan, melt your unsalted butter over medium heat. Once it's shimmering, toss in your diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir it all together until the apples are coated. Cook them down for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they're tender but still hold their shape. This is where your kitchen starts to smell absolutely divine! I always taste a little piece here to make sure the spices are just right, and sometimes I add an extra pinch of cinnamon if it feels like it needs it.
03 - Time to build! Grab about six small dessert cups, ramekins, or even cute little mason jars. Spoon a generous layer of crushed graham crackers into the bottom of each cup. This is your foundation, so make it sturdy! I usually press it down gently with the back of a spoon. I once tried to skip this step, thinking "who needs crumbs?" – big mistake! The texture was all wrong, and the apples just sank. Trust me, the crunch is essential here.
04 - Now, for the star of the show! Once your spiced apples have cooled down a bit (remember my soupy mistake?), spoon a nice layer of them over the graham cracker crumbs in each cup. Then, drizzle a good amount of caramel sauce over the apples. Don't be shy with the caramel; this is a *Caramel* Apple Dessert Cup, after all! I love watching the caramel seep into the apples; it just looks so inviting. I always make sure there's enough caramel to get a little bit in every bite.
05 - Almost there! Add another layer of crushed graham crackers over the caramel and apples. This adds another layer of texture and makes them look super appealing. Then, dollop a generous swirl of whipped cream on top of each cup. I sometimes get a little messy with the whipped cream, but hey, that's just real life in my kitchen, right? It's all about the flavor, not perfect presentation every time, though these do look lovely.
06 - Pop your assembled Caramel Apple Dessert Cups into the fridge for at least 30 minutes to let everything chill and meld together. This helps the layers set and the flavors deepen. If you're feeling fancy, you can add a final sprinkle of toasted pecans or another drizzle of caramel right before serving. The contrast of the cool cream and warm apple flavors is just so good. This is honestly one of my favorite parts – seeing everyone's happy faces when they take that first bite!

# Notes:

01 - Always let your cooked apples cool slightly before adding caramel, or you'll get a caramel-apple soup!
02 - Storage advice that actually works from my kitchen trials: Assemble layers without whipped cream for up to 3-4 days in the fridge.
03 - Substitution I've tried that worked surprisingly well: crushed ginger snaps instead of graham crackers for a spicy kick.
04 - Serving suggestion that makes this dish extra special: a final sprinkle of flaky sea salt over the caramel for a salted caramel vibe.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Saucepan
02 - dessert cups/ramekins
03 - mixing spoon
04 - measuring cups/spoons

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 350-400 kcal
Total Fat: 15-20g
Total Carbohydrate: 50-60g
Protein: 2-4g

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