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Caramel Apple Dessert Cups

Delightful dessert cups filled with warm spiced apples, buttery crumbs, and creamy vanilla pudding, topped with salted caramel.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dessert, Sweet Treat
Cuisine: American
Calories: 300
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Apple Filling
  • 3 cups Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and finely diced For the best tartness
  • 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed Add sweetness to the apples
  • 3 tablespoons salted butter
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon For added warmth and flavor
  • 3/4 cup salted caramel sauce, divided 1/4 cup for mixing with apples, 1/2 cup for pudding
Crust and Pudding
  • 2 cups crushed vanilla wafers The base of the dessert
  • 1/4 cup salted butter, melted and cooled
  • 3.4 ounces instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 1 1/4 cups cold whole milk For mixing with pudding
  • 1 cup cold heavy whipping cream To fold into the pudding

Method
 

Prepare the Apple Filling
  1. Add the diced apples, brown sugar, butter and cinnamon to a saucepan over medium heat and 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 allow to cool completely.
Prepare the Crust
  1. In a mixing bowl, combine crushed vanilla wafers with melted butter and coat the crumbs completely.
  2. Add 2 teaspoons of the buttered crumbs to each cup and tamp down to form a stable base.
Prepare the Pudding
  1. In another bowl, mix cold whole milk and instant pudding with a mixer or whisk until thickened (2–3 minutes).
  2. Mix in the remaining 1/2 cup of salted caramel sauce into the pudding.
  3. Add cold heavy cream and mix until thickened (3–4 minutes).
Assemble the Dessert Cups
  1. Transfer the pudding to a piping bag and fill each cup 2/3 full with the pudding.
  2. Top each pudding layer with a spoonful of cooled apple filling.
  3. Place lids on the cups and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

Serve chilled. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 1 month.