Caramel Apple Dessert Cups Recipe

Introduction

Looking for a dessert that delivers both nostalgia and elegance? These Caramel Apple Dessert Cups bring together the classic flavors of tart apples and rich caramel in a format that’s easy to assemble, incredibly delicious, and sure to wow your guests. With every bite, enjoy the crunch of tender apples, buttery cookie crumbles, and luscious caramel—a show-stopping sweet perfect for family dinners or festive gatherings.

Deliciously Unique Caramel Apple Dessert Cups

The secret to this recipe’s charm is its beautiful balance: warm, cinnamon-scented apples layered with velvety caramel sauce and finished with a crisp cookie crumble. Each layer complements the next, creating a symphony of flavors and textures. These dessert cups are not only a feast for the palate but also for the eyes—making them ideal for occasions where presentation matters.

Perfecting the Caramel and Apple Layers

For the apple layer, use a mix of tart and sweet apples—the contrast elevates the taste. Lightly sauté apple chunks with butter, sugar, and cinnamon until just tender. The caramel sauce can be homemade or store-bought; warm it gently for easy drizzling. Allowing time for the flavors to meld gives the cups a rich, homogenized sweetness with each spoonful.

Assembling Your Caramel Apple Dessert Cups

Begin with a layer of buttery cookie crumbs at the bottom of each serving cup. Add a generous scoop of the spiced apple mixture, then drizzle with warm caramel sauce. Repeat the layers if cups are tall, and finish each serving with an extra drizzle of caramel and a sprinkle of cookie crumbs for crunch.

Serving Suggestions for a Show-Stopping Caramel Apple Dessert Cups

Serve these cups slightly warm for maximum coziness, perhaps topped with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for added indulgence. A sprinkle of toasted nuts or a dusting of cinnamon can also elevate the dessert’s flavor and visual appeal.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 6 dessert cups, with each containing approximately 280–320 calories depending on toppings and portion size. A perfect treat for when you want just a little something sweet!

Caramel Apple Dessert Cups (Recap)

Layered with spiced apples, rich caramel, and a delightful cookie crunch, these dessert cups promise all the joy of a classic caramel apple with twice the elegance and none of the mess—a dessert sure to be in heavy rotation for all your entertaining needs.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and hassle-free meal planning.

Instructions

1. In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add diced apples, sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until apples are just tender and slightly caramelized (about 6–8 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
2. Warm the caramel sauce in the microwave or on the stovetop until pourable.
3. Divide half of the crushed cookies among 6 serving cups, pressing lightly to form a base layer.
4. Spoon a generous portion of the cooked apples over the cookie layer in each cup.
5. Drizzle caramel sauce over the apples.
6. Repeat the layering if your cups are tall: more cookies, more apples, more caramel.
7. Finish with a final layer of caramel and a sprinkle of cookie crumbs. Add optional whipped cream or nuts if desired.
8. Serve warm or at room temperature. For a decadent twist, add a small scoop of vanilla ice cream just before serving.

Weekly Meal Planning

These Caramel Apple Dessert Cups are the perfect addition to your weekly meal prep and planning. Save and schedule this recipe to plan which day to enjoy it and generate smart shopping lists that combine all the ingredients for your week’s recipes.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatic calculation of total ingredient quantities across recipes
• Shopping lists sorted by store section for easy shopping
• No more duplicate purchases or forgotten items
• Makes multi-recipe meal prep organized and efficient

Pro tip: When planning several meals, schedule your recipes in CookifyAI. Shared ingredients—like butter or cinnamon—are automatically grouped, letting you buy exactly what you need for all your planned dishes.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes