Delicious No-Bake Caramel Apple Dessert Cups

Craving a sweet treat that captures the essence of autumn without turning on your oven? These incredible Caramel Apple Dessert Cups are your answer! They’re the perfect fall treat, offering layers of buttery vanilla wafer crust, creamy salted caramel mousse, and spiced cinnamon apples. Best of all, they’re entirely no-bake, making assembly a breeze for any home cook. Get ready to enjoy this delightful, convenient dessert!

Why You’ll Love These Caramel Apple Dessert Cups

These delightful no-bake Caramel Apple Dessert Cups are destined to become a new favorite. They bring together beloved fall flavors in a simple, portable package.

• Effortless No-Bake Assembly: Forget the oven! These cups come together quickly with minimal fuss.
• Perfect Portable Dessert: Individual portions are ideal for parties, lunchboxes, or a sweet grab-and-go snack.
• Rich Fall Flavors: Every bite delivers the comforting taste of cinnamon apples and decadent caramel.
• Crowd-Pleaser for Parties: Guests will adore the charming presentation and irresistible taste of these treats.
• Customizable Ingredients: Easily swap crusts, puddings, or add-ins to match your preference.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare them in advance, letting the flavors meld and deepen in the fridge.

Ingredients

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating these amazing Caramel Apple Dessert Cups. You’ll need fresh apples, pantry staples, and a few dairy items to bring this layered dessert to life.

• For the Cinnamon Apples:
  • 4 cups apples, peeled and chopped (Crispin, Granny Smith)
  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• For the Vanilla Wafer Crust:
  • 2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs
  • ¼ cup melted butter (salted or unsalted)
• For the Salted Caramel Mousse:
  • 1 pkg instant vanilla pudding mix (3.4 ounces)
  • 1 cup cold milk
  • ⅓ cup salted caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 ½ cups heavy cream
• For Garnish:
  • Additional caramel sauce

Notes & Substitutions

For the best texture and flavor in your Caramel Apple Dessert Cups, choose crisp, firm apples like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Gala. Research on culinary science confirms that Granny Smith apples are a top choice for baking due to their high acidity and ability to retain shape. Their tartness balances the sweetness beautifully.

If you don’t love vanilla wafers, a graham cracker or Biscoff cookie crust would also be delicious. Just remember to use instant pudding mix for the mousse, as cooked pudding won’t set correctly for this recipe. Feel free to use your favorite store-bought salted caramel sauce, or whip up a batch from scratch for an extra special touch.

Equipment

You won’t need much specialized equipment to whip up these delightful Caramel Apple Dessert Cups. Most items are likely already in your kitchen!

• Medium saucepan
• Large mixing bowls
• Electric hand mixer
• Whisk
• Food processor (for crumbs, if not pre-crushed)
• Piping bag (optional, for neat mousse layers)
• Small cookie scoop (helpful for portioning crust)
• 2-ounce plastic cups with lids (or any preferred small serving vessel)

Instructions

Creating these delicious Caramel Apple Dessert Cups is a straightforward process. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a spectacular dessert ready to chill!

1. Prepare Cinnamon Apples: In a medium saucepan, combine the peeled and chopped apples, light brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Stir everything together well. Cook this mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the apples become soft and the liquid in the pan has reduced and thickened. Remove the pan from the heat and set the cooked apples aside. Let them cool completely to room temperature before assembling your Caramel Apple Dessert Cups.
2. Make the Crust: Take a mixing bowl and add the vanilla wafer crumbs and the melted butter. Stir these two ingredients together thoroughly until the crumbs are fully moistened.
3. Form the Crust Base: Portion the buttered vanilla wafer crumbs into 28 small 2-ounce plastic cups. A small cookie scoop helps to get even amounts. Use the back of another plastic cup or a small tamper to gently press the crumbs down firmly, creating a compact crust layer at the bottom of each cup.
4. Prepare Vanilla Pudding Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the instant vanilla pudding mix with the cold milk. Whisk these ingredients together vigorously for about two minutes, until the mixture starts to thicken. Chill this pudding mixture in the refrigerator for 5 minutes.
5. Create Caramel Mousse: Add the salted caramel sauce to the slightly chilled vanilla pudding mixture. Use an electric hand mixer on medium speed to beat the caramel into the pudding until it is fully incorporated and smooth.
6. Whip Mousse to Perfection: Pour the heavy cream into the caramel pudding mixture. Continue to whip with the electric hand mixer for 3-5 minutes. The mixture will transform, becoming thick, fluffy, and creamy, like a luscious mousse.
7. Assemble Dessert Cups with Mousse: Carefully transfer the finished caramel mousse mixture into a large piping bag. Neatly pipe a generous layer of the mousse into each plastic cup, directly on top of the vanilla wafer crust layer.
8. Add Cinnamon Apples: Using a spoon, gently portion the cooled cinnamon apples over the piped caramel mousse layer in each cup.
9. Garnish and Chill: If desired, drizzle a little extra salted caramel sauce over the top of the cinnamon apples for an added touch of sweetness and visual appeal. Seal each of the Caramel Apple Dessert Cups with its lid. Place them in the refrigerator to chill for at least 2-3 hours before serving. This chilling time allows the mousse to firm up and the flavors to meld beautifully.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Ensure your Caramel Apple Dessert Cups turn out perfect every time with these helpful tips.

• Best Apple Choices: Always opt for tart, crisp apples. They hold their shape better when cooked and provide a lovely contrast to the sweet caramel.
• Achieve Thick Mousse: Don’t under-whip! Beat the mousse thoroughly after adding the heavy cream until it’s light, airy, and holds its shape.
• Crust Consistency: Fine crumbs are key. If your wafers aren’t crushed finely enough, the crust might be crumbly. Press firmly for a sturdy base.
• Prevent Thin Apples: Cook your apples until most of the liquid has reduced and the sauce is thick. This prevents a watery layer in your dessert cups.
• Yield Adjustments: This recipe makes 28 small 2-ounce cups. You can easily adjust the yield by using larger cups or scaling the recipe.
• Cooling is Key: Allow the cooked apples to cool completely. Warm apples can melt the mousse, affecting the texture of your layered dessert.

Serving, Storage & Variations

These Caramel Apple Dessert Cups are versatile and delicious, whether you’re serving them immediately or planning ahead.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these individual Caramel Apple Dessert Cups chilled directly from the refrigerator for the best flavor and texture. They are ideal for gatherings, school events, or as a delightful personal treat. For an extra touch, consider topping them with a dollop of whipped cream, a sprinkle of chopped pecans, or even a tiny apple slice just before serving.

Storage Instructions

Store any leftover Caramel Apple Dessert Cups in their sealed containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors often deepen and improve after a day or two! According to FDA food safety guidelines, dairy-based desserts should be stored at or below 40°F (4°C) to prevent bacterial growth. Avoid leaving them at room temperature for extended periods to maintain their freshness and safety.

While individual components like the cooked apples can be frozen, freezing the assembled cups with the mousse isn’t recommended as it can alter the mousse’s creamy texture upon thawing.

Flavor Variations

Get creative with your Caramel Apple Dessert Cups! For the crust, try graham cracker crumbs, gingersnaps, or even crushed shortbread cookies. Swap the vanilla pudding for cheesecake, butterscotch, or banana pudding mix to create new flavor profiles. Consider adding other caramelized fruits like bananas or pears.

You can also boost the spice factor by including a pinch of nutmeg, allspice, or a touch of pumpkin pie spice with your cinnamon apples.

Nutrition

Enjoying these delightful Caramel Apple Dessert Cups also means understanding their nutritional impact. Here’s a general overview per serving, helping you make informed choices.

Please note: Nutritional information is an estimate calculated automatically and may vary based on specific ingredients and brands used.

FAQ

Conclusion

These delightful no-bake Caramel Apple Dessert Cups are truly a celebration of fall flavors and effortless baking. They combine crisp apples, rich caramel, and a sweet crunch in every spoonful, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion.

Perfect for cozy evenings or festive gatherings, these cups offer a convenient and utterly delicious way to enjoy classic autumn tastes. We encourage you to try this simple recipe and share your experience! Don’t forget to leave a comment and rate it below.

Delicious No-Bake Caramel Apple Dessert Cups

These delightful no-bake dessert cups feature layers of cinnamon-spiced apples, a creamy salted caramel mousse, and a crunchy vanilla wafer crust. Perfect for a quick treat, they can be served immediately or chilled for later enjoyment.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings 28 cups

Calories 380 kcal

Equipment

• Medium saucepan
• mixing bowls
• 2 oz plastic cups
• Small cookie scoop
• Electric Hand Mixer
• Large piping bag
• spoon

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 4 cups apples peeled and chopped
• ½ cup light brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs
• ¼ cup butter salted or unsalted, melted
• 1 pkg instant vanilla pudding mix 3.4 ounces
• 1 cup milk
• ⅓ cup salted caramel sauce homemade or store bought
• 1 ½ cups heavy cream
• caramel sauce additional, for garnish

Instructions

 

Preparation

• Cook peeled and chopped apples with brown sugar and cinnamon in a saucepan until soft and thick, then set aside to cool.
• Combine vanilla wafer crumbs and melted butter in a bowl until fully incorporated.
• Press the crumb mixture into the bottom of 28 two-ounce plastic cups to form the crust.
• Whisk instant vanilla pudding mix and milk together in a large bowl, then chill for 5 minutes.
• Add salted caramel sauce to the chilled pudding and mix with an electric hand mixer until smooth.
• Pour heavy cream into the pudding mixture and whip with an electric hand mixer for 3-5 minutes until thick and creamy.
• Transfer the caramel mousse to a piping bag and pipe it over the vanilla wafer crusts in the cups.
• Spoon the cooled cinnamon apples over the caramel mousse and drizzle with additional caramel sauce if desired.
• Seal the cups with lids and chill before serving or storing for up to 2-3 days in the refrigerator.

Notes

The cups can be served immediately or stored in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. Drizzle with additional caramel sauce if desired for garnish.