Dessert

Caramel Apple Dessert Cups Recipe

ByIsabella Vance December 13, 2025December 13, 2025

Introduction

These Caramel Apple Dessert Cups are a delightful treat that combines tender cinnamon-spiced apples with creamy caramel mousse and a crunchy vanilla wafer crust. Perfect for individual servings, they offer a balanced mix of flavors and textures that everyone will love.

A small clear plastic cup holds a three-layer dessert placed on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is a crumbly, light brown crust. Above this is a smooth, pale yellow layer of cream. The top layer has a shiny, caramel-colored sauce with chunks of cooked apples that look soft and coated in cinnamon spice. Several other cups with the same dessert are blurred in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

4 cups apples (peeled and chopped)
½ cup light brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs
¼ cup salted or unsalted butter (melted)
1 pkg instant vanilla pudding mix (3.4 ounces)
1 cup milk
⅓ cup salted caramel sauce
1 ½ cups heavy cream
Additional caramel sauce for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: In a medium saucepan, combine peeled and chopped apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Stir and cook over medium heat until the apples are soft and the liquid thickens. Set aside to cool.
Step 2: In a mixing bowl, combine vanilla wafer crumbs and melted butter. Stir until fully incorporated.
Step 3: Portion vanilla wafer crumbs into 28 – 2 ounce plastic cups using a small cookie scoop. Use the back of one of the cups to press the crumbs down firmly to create the crust.
Step 4: In a large mixing bowl, combine instant vanilla pudding mix and milk. Whisk to combine and chill for 5 minutes.
Step 5: Add salted caramel sauce to the vanilla pudding mixture. Use an electric hand mixer on medium speed to mix the caramel into the pudding until smooth.
Step 6: Pour in the heavy cream and whip with an electric hand mixer for 3-5 minutes until thick and creamy.
Step 7: Transfer the caramel mousse mixture to a piping bag. Pipe the mousse into the plastic cups on top of the vanilla wafer crust.
Step 8: Using a spoon, portion the cinnamon apples over the caramel mousse. Drizzle with additional caramel sauce if desired.
Step 9: Seal the cups with lids and chill. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.

Tips & Variations

For extra crunch, add chopped toasted pecans or walnuts on top before serving.
Use gluten-free vanilla wafers to make this dessert gluten-free.
Try substituting the salted caramel sauce with regular caramel sauce for a sweeter finish.
If you prefer a less sweet dessert, reduce the brown sugar slightly in the cooked apples.

Storage

Store the dessert cups sealed in the refrigerator for up to 2 to 3 days. They can be served chilled directly from the fridge. If the crust softens, you can briefly chill the cups uncovered to help it firm up before serving again.

How to Serve

Small clear cups hold a three-layer dessert, each with a bottom layer of light brown crumbly texture, a middle creamy white layer, and a top shiny caramel layer. On top, there are golden brown soft apple pieces covered in a glossy caramel sauce. The cups are arranged in rows on a white marbled surface, with soft lighting highlighting the smooth and shiny textures of the dessert. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these dessert cups ahead of time?

Yes, these cups can be prepared a day or two in advance and stored in the refrigerator. This allows the flavors to meld wonderfully, and it makes serving quick and easy.

What can I use instead of instant vanilla pudding mix?

If you don’t have instant pudding mix, you can make a homemade vanilla pudding using cornstarch, sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. However, keep in mind the texture might differ slightly from the instant mix version.