Sweet Caramel Apple Dessert Cups: A Fall Favorite (Print Version)

Caramel Apple Dessert Cups: Layers of spiced apples, creamy caramel, and crunchy topping make these individual treats your perfect fall dessert. Easy recipe!

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 25 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian

# Ingredients:

→ Spiced Apple Filling

01 - 4 medium apples (Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and diced
02 - 1 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 2 tbsp light brown sugar
04 - 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

→ Crunchy Oat Crumble

05 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
06 - 1/2 cup rolled oats (old-fashioned)
07 - 1/4 cup light brown sugar
08 - 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
09 - 1/4 cup (4 tbsp) unsalted butter, cold and diced

→ Homemade Caramel Sauce

10 - 1/2 cup light brown sugar
11 - 1/4 cup heavy cream
12 - 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
13 - 1 tsp vanilla extract

→ Finishing Touches

14 - Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, for serving

# Instructions:

01 - Peel, core, and dice your apples into small, bite-sized pieces. I usually go for about half-inch cubes so they cook evenly and fit nicely in the cups. Toss them gently in a bowl with a tablespoon of brown sugar and a good sprinkle of cinnamon. The kitchen already smells amazing at this point, right? I always try to get them uniform, but honestly, a few wonky pieces just add character!
02 - In a separate bowl, combine the flour, rolled oats, the remaining brown sugar, and a pinch of cinnamon. Cut in cold, diced butter using your fingertips or a pastry blender until it resembles coarse crumbs. I often get my hands a bit messy here, which is half the fun! This is where the magic happens for that perfect crunch in your Caramel Apple Dessert Cups. Don't overmix, we want crumbles, not dough.
03 - Spread the crumble mixture evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Pop it into a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-12 minutes, or until it's golden brown and smells wonderfully toasty. I always set a timer because I've definitely forgotten about it and ended up with... crispy, not golden, bits. Let it cool a bit; it'll get even crunchier.
04 - In a medium saucepan, melt a tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add your prepared apples and cook them down for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. They should become tender but still hold their shape – we don't want apple mush here, just soft, fragrant pieces. The smell of the simmering apples is just heavenly, a true sign of autumn.
05 - In a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the light brown sugar, heavy cream, and a tiny pinch of salt. Bring it to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves and the sauce thickens slightly, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. This is the part that makes these Caramel Apple Dessert Cups truly special, so watch it carefully – no burnt caramel this time!
06 - Now for the fun part! Grab your serving cups or small bowls. Layer a spoonful of the warm spiced apples at the bottom, then drizzle generously with that luscious caramel sauce. Top with a sprinkle of your crunchy oat crumble. Repeat the layers if you like. I usually add a big dollop of whipped cream right before serving, because why not? These dessert cups are best enjoyed warm!

# Notes:

01 - Always use cold butter for the crumble; it makes for a much flakier, crunchier topping, I learned that the hard way.
02 - You can prep the apples and crumble a day ahead, storing them separately, then assemble just before serving for fresh dessert cups.
03 - No heavy cream for the caramel? I've used half-and-half once, and it worked okay, but the caramel wasn't quite as rich or thick.
04 - A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top of the caramel layer is a game-changer for these dessert cups, enhancing all the sweet flavors.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Small saucepan
02 - baking sheet
03 - mixing bowls
04 - whisk
05 - pastry blender (optional)

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 350
Total Fat: 18g
Total Carbohydrate: 45g
Protein: 3g

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