Description
Warm caramel apple dessert cups blend classic autumn flavors into an irresistible sweet treat. Crisp pastry shells cradle spiced apple filling and rich caramel, promising a delightful experience you’ll want to savor slowly.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit and Spices:
- 3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Dairy and Cream Components:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Toppings and Garnishes:
- ½ cup caramel sauce, store-bought or homemade
- Crushed graham crackers or chopped nuts (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Transform diced apples into a luxurious caramelized foundation by gently sautéing them in butter with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a splash of lemon juice. Allow the mixture to simmer until apples reach a tender yet structured consistency, creating a rich, aromatic base with subtle warmth and depth.
- Craft a velvety cream cheese mixture by whipping cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until silky smooth. In a separate vessel, whip heavy cream to soft, billowy peaks, then delicately incorporate into the cream cheese mixture, creating an ethereal, cloud-like filling.
- Construct elegant layers within individual serving vessels, alternating between the caramelized apple compote and the whipped cream cheese mixture. Build these layers with precision, ensuring each spoonful captures the harmonious blend of textures and flavors.
- Elevate the dessert’s visual and gustatory appeal by generously drizzling golden caramel sauce across the surface. Optionally, enhance the presentation and crunch by sprinkling crushed graham crackers or toasted nuts as a final flourish.
- Allow the dessert to rest and harmonize in the refrigerator for approximately one hour, permitting the flavors to meld and the layers to set into a cohesive, refreshing treat. Serve thoroughly chilled for maximum enjoyment.
Notes
- Swap apples for different seasonal fruits like pears or peaches to create exciting flavor variations.
- Use gluten-free graham crackers or almond flour crumble for a celiac-friendly version of the dessert.
- Cut down on sugar by using monk fruit sweetener or stevia for a lower-calorie alternative.
- Ensure apples are cut uniformly to guarantee even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dessert cups.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg