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Caramel Apple Dessert Cups

Caramel apple dessert cups with a graham cracker crust, cinnamon cream cheese filling, and caramelized apple topping piled high. Each no-bake individual cup is finished with a dramatic caramel drizzle and chilled until set.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
chilling 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 26 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Graham cracker base
  • 1.5 cup graham cracker crumbs
  • 5 tbsp butter melted
  • 3 tbsp sugar
Cinnamon cream cheese
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 0.5 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 0.5 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 cup whipped topping folded in
Caramel apple topping
  • 3 apples peeled and diced small
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 3 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • Caramel sauce for drizzling

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Make the graham cracker base
  1. Mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar until evenly combined, then press firmly into the bottoms of 12 individual cups or glasses for a solid crust with no gaps.
  2. Press the crust down until it looks level and compact, using gentle pressure so it holds its shape when chilled.
Mix the cinnamon cream cheese layer
  1. Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon until smooth, with no visible lumps.
  2. Fold the whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture until it is light and fully incorporated, then spoon or pipe over the graham cracker crusts to form an even layer.
Cook and cool the caramelized apples
  1. Cook diced apples with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a skillet over medium heat for 5-6 minutes, stirring until caramelized and tender.
  2. Remove the skillet from the heat and cool the apple mixture until it is no longer hot, so it won’t melt the cream cheese layer.
Assemble and chill
  1. Spoon the caramel apple mixture over the cream cheese layer in each cup, piling it slightly high so the topping is visible.
  2. Drizzle generously with caramel sauce over the top of each cup for a glossy finish.
  3. Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving so the cups set and the layers hold together.

Notes

Pro tip: cool the caramelized apples fully before layering to prevent the cinnamon cream cheese from thinning. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; freezing is not recommended because the whipped topping can separate. For a lighter option, use low-fat cream cheese and a reduced-sugar whipped topping if available.