I have a recipe that blends graham cracker crumbs and melted butter with diced Honeycrisp apples tossed in lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg. I layer these flavors with a rich drizzle of caramel sauce to create delightful Caramel Apple Cups that are a charming fall treat worth every bite.

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I recently whipped up these Caramel Apple Dessert Cups and they’ve become my new fall favorite. I love how simple they are, with no baking required.

I started by mixing together 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs with 6 tablespoons melted unsalted butter and 3 tablespoons granulated sugar to form a firm base. Then I folded in diced Honeycrisp apples, a splash of lemon juice, and just the right touch of ground cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg to keep things interesting.

Drizzling in 1 cup caramel sauce really ties it all together, making these individual apple dessert recipes a treat that’s both crunchy and sweet. I even like adding a bit of whipped cream or a sprinkle of chopped walnuts on top for that extra wow factor.

These mini dessert cups are not only fun to make but also a great way to impress your buds at any fall party.

Why I Like this Recipe

I love this recipe for a few reasons. First, its super simple to make and i dont have to worry about turning on the oven. You just mix everything together, chill it and bam, dessert is ready. Second, the mix of tangy apples with that sweet, sticky caramel makes me feel like i’m experiencing fall in every bite. And third, i really appreciate how you can tweak it each time – whether that means adding more whipped cream or tossing in some chopped nuts for a bit of crunch.

These no bake caramel apple dessert cups r super easy to put together and they taste amazin. Perfect for fall when you wanna enjoy some yummy, cozy flavors without a whole lot of fuss.

Ingredients

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Graham cracker crumbs add crunch and carbs while lending a slightly sweet flavor.
Apples provide fiber, vitamins and a tangy taste that balances the dessert’s sweetness.
Unsalted butter offers rich texture and flavor though its fats isnt the healthiest.
Caramel sauce brings an intense sweetness and gooey texture that makes every bite indulgent.
Granulated sugar adds extra sweetness to smooth out the tart apple notes.
Cracker crumbs and spices together create a harmonious, nostalgic taste reminiscent of classic treats.
Optional whipped cream and nuts add creaminess and crunch enhancing every bite.

Ingredient Quantities

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

3 tablespoons granulated sugar

3 medium apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), cored and diced

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 cup caramel sauce, divided (store-bought or homemade)

Optional: whipped cream for topping

Optional: chopped pecans or walnuts for garnish

How to Make this

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1. In a mixing bowl, stir together 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs, 6 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, and 3 tablespoons granulated sugar until it’s fully mixed.

2. Spoon the crumb mixture into dessert cups and press it down firmly to form an even crust layer.

3. Toss 3 diced apples with 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg until all pieces are coated.

4. Distribute the apple mixture evenly over each crust in the cups.

5. Pour about 1/2 cup of the caramel sauce (from the 1 cup provided) evenly over the apples.

6. Drizzle some extra caramel sauce on top if you like a sweeter taste.

7. For best results, chill the cups in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to let the crust firm up a bit.

8. If you want, add a dollop of whipped cream on top before serving.

9. Finally, garnish with a sprinkle of chopped pecans or walnuts for a little extra crunch.

10. Enjoy your easy, no bake caramel apple dessert cups perfect for fall!

Equipment Needed

1. Mixing bowl for stirring together the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar
2. Measuring cups and spoons to accurately measure out the ingredients
3. Knife and cutting board for dicing the apples
4. Spatula or spoon for stirring the mixtures and pressing the crust into the dessert cups
5. Dessert cups or ramekins to hold the individual servings
6. Refrigerator for chilling the assembled dessert cups before serving

FAQ

Q: Can I use a different type of cookie crumb for the crust?

A: Yeah, you can use butter cookie crumbs or even digestive biscuits if you want a twist. It may change the flavor a bit but its still super tasty.

Q: Can these dessert cups be made ahead of time?

A: Absolutely, you can prep the apple mixture and assemble the dessert cups ahead of time. Just store them in the fridge and add whipped cream and nuts right before serving.

Q: What kinds of apples work best for this recipe?

A: Honeycrisp or Granny Smith are ideal cause they hold their shape when cooked. However, you can experiment with other firm apples if thats all you have.

Q: Do I have to use caramel sauce, or can I substitute something else?

A: While caramel sauce is key for that sweet flavor, if you ever run out, you could try a homemade caramel or even a condensed milk caramel alternative. Just be mindful about the texture.

Q: What if I dont have chopped nuts for garnish?

A: No worries if you dont have nuts around. The dessert is still great without them, and you can always swap in a sprinkle of granola or even extra whipped cream.

Caramel Apple Dessert Cups Recipe Substitutions and Variations

If you can’t find graham cracker crumbs, try crushing digestive biscuits or vanilla wafers for a similar texture.
If you’re low on unsalted butter, you can use margarine or a mild coconut oil instead. They work just fine in this recipe.
Not a fan of granulated sugar? You can use a bit of maple syrup or honey. Just be aware that you’ll need to adjust the liquid parts a tiny bit.
For caramel sauce, if you want a twist, use dulce de leche or even butterscotch sauce. They can give your dessert an interesting flavor change.
If you don’t have apples ready, you can substitute with pears, but they might need a little extra spice to match the tartness.

Pro Tips

1. Try sautéeing the apples for a couple minutes in a pan with a tiny bit of extra butter and a pinch more cinnamon before tossing them with the lemon juice; it gives it a really yummy, caramelized flavour that you wont regret.
2. If you really wanna impress, toast your chopped nuts lightly in a dry pan over medium heat first. It adds an extra crunch and brings out a deeper nutty flavor that works great with the caramel.
3. Be sure not to press too hard on the graham cracker crust when you’re assembling it – you just wanna make it firm enough so it stays together, but overdoing it might make it too dense.
4. Chill your dessert cups for a bit longer than the minimum hour if you can. Sometimes leaving them in the fridge for a couple extra hours really lets the flavors meld and the crust firm up perfectly.

Caramel Apple Dessert Cups Recipe

Recipe by Tina Bueller

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

352

kcal

Equipment: 1. Mixing bowl for stirring together the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar
2. Measuring cups and spoons to accurately measure out the ingredients
3. Knife and cutting board for dicing the apples
4. Spatula or spoon for stirring the mixtures and pressing the crust into the dessert cups
5. Dessert cups or ramekins to hold the individual servings
6. Refrigerator for chilling the assembled dessert cups before serving

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 medium apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), cored and diced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup caramel sauce, divided (store-bought or homemade)
Optional: whipped cream for topping
Optional: chopped pecans or walnuts for garnish

Directions

In a mixing bowl, stir together 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs, 6 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, and 3 tablespoons granulated sugar until it's fully mixed.
Spoon the crumb mixture into dessert cups and press it down firmly to form an even crust layer.
Toss 3 diced apples with 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg until all pieces are coated.
Distribute the apple mixture evenly over each crust in the cups.
Pour about 1/2 cup of the caramel sauce (from the 1 cup provided) evenly over the apples.
Drizzle some extra caramel sauce on top if you like a sweeter taste.
For best results, chill the cups in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to let the crust firm up a bit.
If you want, add a dollop of whipped cream on top before serving.
Finally, garnish with a sprinkle of chopped pecans or walnuts for a little extra crunch.
Enjoy your easy, no bake caramel apple dessert cups perfect for fall!

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.