Simple Caramel Apple Dessert Cups: Easy Recipe! (Print Version)

Caramel Apple Dessert Cups: Get my easy recipe for layers of crisp apples, sweet caramel, and crunchy topping. A quick, delicious fall treat youll love!

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian

# Ingredients:

→ Apple Base

01 - 4 medium apples (like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and diced
02 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - 1/4 cup light brown sugar
04 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
05 - Pinch of ground nutmeg

→ Crumb Topping

06 - 1 cup graham cracker crumbs (about 8-10 full crackers)
07 - 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter

→ Caramel Sauce & Spices

08 - 1/2 cup good quality caramel sauce

→ Finishing Touches

09 - Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, for serving

# Instructions:

01 - First, grab those beautiful apples! Peel, core, and dice them into nice, bite-sized pieces. I usually aim for about half-inch cubes, so they cook evenly. This is where I always try to keep my pieces consistent, otherwise, some will be mush and some will be crunchy, and that's just not what we're going for. Get them ready in a bowl, feeling that crispness in your hands.
02 - Melt the butter in a skillet 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 for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they’re tender-crisp. You want them softened but still with a slight bite, not completely mushy. I’ve definitely overcooked them before and ended up with apple sauce, oops!
03 - While the apples are cooking, get your crumb topping ready. Crush your graham crackers (or cookies) until they're fine crumbs. You can use a food processor or just a zip-top bag and a rolling pin—my go-to method for a little stress relief! Melt the butter and mix it with the crumbs until they’re evenly moistened. It should smell like a sweet, buttery dream, honestly.
04 - Now for the fun part! Grab some small serving cups, ramekins, or even cute little mason jars. Layer a spoonful or two of the cooked apples at the bottom of each cup. This is where you start to see the magic happening, building up those delicious layers. I sometimes get a little messy here, but hey, it's homemade!
05 - Next, sprinkle a generous layer of your buttery graham cracker crumbs over the apples. You want a good amount of crunch in every bite, so don't be shy! This is what really makes these Caramel Apple Dessert Cups special, that texture contrast. I always sneak a little taste of the crumbs at this stage, can't help myself!
06 - Finally, warm your caramel sauce slightly if it’s too thick, then drizzle it generously over the crumb topping. Oh, the smell! Serve these Caramel Apple Dessert Cups warm, maybe with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It's truly a little cup of autumn happiness. Enjoy that first bite!

# Notes:

01 - Don't overcook your apples! They should be tender, but still have a bit of a bite, not mush. I learned this the hard way trying to rush things.
02 - A good quality caramel sauce makes all the difference; don’t skimp here, it’s a star player.
03 - Warm these up just before serving for the best experience; cold caramel isn't as dreamy.
04 - A little sprinkle of sea salt on top of the caramel drizzle really enhances the flavors and cuts the sweetness.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Skillet
02 - small serving cups/ramekins
03 - mixing bowls
04 - measuring cups/spoons

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 350 kcal
Total Fat: 15g
Total Carbohydrate: 55g
Protein: 2g

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