Easy Caramel Apple Dessert Cups: Quick & Tangy Treat (Print Version)

Caramel Apple Dessert Cups are a simple, tangy treat. Learn my easy recipe for these delightful, individual apple desserts perfect for any fall gathering.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian

# Ingredients:

→ Apple & Pastry Base

01 - 3-4 medium Fresh Apples (like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
02 - 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
03 - 2 sheets Puff Pastry Sheets (from a 14.1 oz/400g box)

→ Apple Filling Flavor Boosters

04 - 2 tbsp Unsalted Butter
05 - 1/4 cup Light Brown Sugar (packed)
06 - 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
07 - 1 tbsp All-Purpose Flour

→ Caramel & Finishing Touch

08 - 1/2 cup Prepared Caramel Sauce
09 - Optional: Vanilla Ice Cream or Whipped Cream for serving

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get those apples ready! Peel, core, and dice about 3-4 medium apples. I like them in roughly half-inch pieces so they cook evenly but still have a bit of bite. Toss them right away with a squeeze of lemon juice to stop them from browning – seriously, it works like magic! While you're doing that, unfold your puff pastry sheets and let them sit for a few minutes if they're still a bit stiff. I always forget this step, and then I'm wrestling with cold pastry that just wants to crack. Don't be like me!
02 - Now for the good stuff! In a medium skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add your diced apples, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Stir it all together until the apples are coated. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples start to soften but aren't totally mushy. We want them tender-crisp, you know? This is where your kitchen starts smelling absolutely heavenly. I once overcooked them, and they turned into apple sauce, which isn't quite the vibe for these <b>Caramel Apple Dessert Cups</b>. Learn from my oops!
03 - Time to get creative with that pastry! Lightly flour your work surface and roll out each puff pastry sheet just a touch, maybe to a 10x10 inch square. Cut each sheet into four even squares. Press each pastry square gently into the cups of a greased muffin tin, letting the corners stick up a bit. This is where the "cup" shape comes from. Don't push too hard, just enough to form a little nest. I usually make a bit of a mess with flour here, but hey, that's part of the fun, right?
04 - Spoon your delicious, cooked apple filling into each puff pastry cup, filling them about two-thirds full. Don't overfill them, or they’ll bubble over in the oven and make a sticky mess – I’ve definitely had that happen! Now, for the best part: drizzle a generous spoonful of prepared caramel sauce over the apples in each cup. You can be a little messy here; it's all going to melt into a gooey goodness. This is where your <b>Caramel Apple Dessert Cups</b> really start to shine!
05 - Pop that muffin tin into a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C). Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the puff pastry is beautifully golden brown and puffed up, and the apples are bubbling. Every oven is different, so keep an eye on them! I always set a timer but still peek through the oven door like a hawk. The smell filling your kitchen right now? Honestly, it’s worth every single step. Just be careful when taking them out; the caramel will be super hot!
06 - Once they're golden and bubbly, carefully remove the muffin tin from the oven. Let the <b>Caramel Apple Dessert Cups</b> cool in the tin for about 5-10 minutes. This helps the caramel set a little and makes them much easier to remove without breaking. Then, gently lift each cup out and place them on a wire rack to cool completely, or serve them warm. A little extra drizzle of caramel or a scoop of vanilla ice cream makes them extra special. Trust me, they won’t last long!

# Notes:

01 - Don't skip that lemon juice on the apples; it keeps them bright and fresh-looking.
02 - Always thaw your puff pastry at room temp for at least 30 minutes, or it'll tear when you unfold it.
03 - A little pinch of flaky sea salt on top of the caramel after baking really elevates the flavors.
04 - Try adding a tablespoon of chopped pecans or walnuts to the apple filling for extra texture.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Standard 12-cup muffin tin
02 - Medium skillet
03 - Mixing bowls
04 - Vegetable peeler
05 - Sharp knife
06 - Wire rack

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 280-320
Total Fat: 15-20g
Total Carbohydrate: 35-40g
Protein: 2-4g

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