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Caramel Apple Dessert Cups

These elegant dessert cups feature tart Granny Smith apples caramelized in a cinnamon glaze, layered with buttery vanilla crumbs and silky caramel pudding for a delightful treat.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the apple filling
  • 3 cups Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and finely diced
  • 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 3 tablespoons salted butter
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup salted caramel sauce for mixing into apple filling
For the crust
  • 2 cups crushed vanilla wafers Ensure even texture for best results
  • 1/4 cup salted butter, melted and cooled to help bind crumbs
For the pudding
  • 3.4 ounces instant vanilla pudding mix use instant for stability
  • 1 1/4 cups cold whole milk ensure it is cold
  • 1/2 cup salted caramel sauce for mixing into pudding
  • 1 cup cold heavy whipping cream use cold for better whipping

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Add the diced apples, brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon to a saucepan over medium heat. Stir frequently for about 7–9 minutes until the apples soften and the sauce thickens.
  2. Stir in 1/4 cup of salted caramel sauce and let cool completely.
  3. In a bowl, mix crushed vanilla wafers with melted butter to coat the crumbs.
  4. Add 2 teaspoons of the buttered crumbs to each cup and tamp down.
  5. In a medium bowl, mix cold milk and instant pudding together until it thickens, about 2–3 minutes.
  6. Mix in the remaining 1/2 cup of salted caramel sauce into the pudding.
  7. Add cold heavy cream and mix until thickened, about 3–4 minutes. Transfer to a piping bag.
Assembly
  1. Pipe the pudding onto the buttered crumb crust, filling about 2/3 full.
  2. Spoon the cooled apples on top (about 2 teaspoons). Cover the cups and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

Keep covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 1 month. Warm apples can soften the pudding, so ensure everything is fully cool before assembly.