Description
Indulgent Caramel Apple Dessert Cups bring classic autumn flavors together in a delightful handheld treat. Crisp pastry shells cradle sweet caramel-glazed apples, offering a perfect balance of texture and rich seasonal comfort for dessert enthusiasts.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit and Spices:
- 3 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and diced
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) nutmeg
Dairy and Sweeteners:
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) butter
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) brown sugar
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy whipping cream
- 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup (60 ml) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract
Toppings:
- ½ cup (120 ml) caramel sauce, store-bought or homemade
- Crushed graham crackers or chopped nuts (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Transform freshly picked apples into a caramelized delight by melting butter in a skillet over medium heat. Introduce diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a splash of lemon juice, stirring to create a harmonious blend. Allow the mixture to simmer and soften for 5-7 minutes, ensuring the apples remain tender yet retain their delicate structure. Remove from heat and let the fragrant mixture cool completely.
- Craft a luxurious cream filling by vigorously beating cream cheese until silky smooth. Incorporate powdered sugar and vanilla extract, whisking until the mixture achieves a cloudlike consistency. In a separate vessel, whip heavy cream until it forms elegant soft peaks. Delicately fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture, creating a light and airy filling.
- Construct elegant dessert layers by carefully spooning the caramelized apple mixture into individual serving cups. Gently add a layer of the cream filling, creating a delightful contrast of textures and flavors. Repeat the layering process, ensuring each cup is generously filled and culminating with a pristine cream topping.
- Elevate the dessert’s visual and flavor profile by drizzling rich caramel sauce over each cup. For added texture and interest, sprinkle crushed graham crackers or toasted nuts across the surface, creating a delectable crunch.
- Allow the dessert cups to rest and harmonize in the refrigerator for a minimum of one hour. This crucial chilling period enables the flavors to meld and the layers to set perfectly. Serve directly from the refrigerator, presenting a refreshing and indulgent treat that tantalizes the taste buds.
Notes
- Choose firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best balance of sweetness and texture in the dessert.
- Control the apple cooking time carefully to prevent turning them into applesauce; aim for tender but still holding their shape.
- Adjust the sweetness by reducing brown sugar for a less sweet version or using alternative sweeteners like maple syrup for dietary variations.
- Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature to create a smoother, lump-free creamy layer that blends effortlessly with whipped cream.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg