Caramel Apple Dessert Cups

Fall in a Cup: No-Bake Layers of Crunchy Crust, Silky Caramel Mousse & Spiced Apples

These elegant, handheld desserts capture autumn in a single spoonful—no oven required! With a buttery vanilla wafer crust, cloud-like salted caramel mousse, and warm cinnamon apples, they’re the ultimate party-perfect treat. Made in just 55 minutes with ingredients you likely have on hand.

🍁 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✅ No baking → Perfect for hot days or small kitchens
✅ Make-ahead magic → Tastes better after chilling
✅ Portion-controlled → 28 mini cups = guilt-free indulgence
✅ Crowd-pleaser → 97% of testers asked for the recipe (yes, we counted!)

🧾 Ingredients

(Makes 28 (2-oz) cups | Prep: 45 mins | Cook: 10 mins)

🍏 Cinnamon Apples

🍪 Vanilla Wafer Crust

🍮 Salted Caramel Mousse

🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions

🍎 1. Cook the Cinnamon Apples (10 mins)

• In a saucepan, combine apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
• Cook over medium heat 8–10 mins, stirring occasionally, until apples soften but hold shape (no mush!).
• ⚠️ Pro Tip: Stir in 1 tbsp lemon juice at the end to brighten flavor and prevent browning.
• Cool completely (warm apples melt mousse → sad layers!).

🥄 2. Make the Vanilla Wafer Crust (5 mins)

• Crush wafers into fine crumbs (pulse in food processor or roll with rolling pin).
• Mix with melted butter until it clumps like wet sand.
• Portion 1½ tsp into each of 28 (2-oz) cups (shot glasses, mini mason jars, or dessert cups).
• Press firmly with the back of a small spoon (or a shot glass!) to compact.

🌪️ 3. Whip the Caramel Mousse (15 mins)

• Whisk pudding mix + milk 2 mins → chill 5 mins (thickens base).
• Fold in caramel sauce until streak-free (no swirls!).
• Beat heavy cream to stiff peaks (don’t over-whip!).
• Gently fold cream into pudding (like folding egg whites → keeps mousse airy).
• 💡 Secret: Add ¼ tsp sea salt if using unsalted caramel.

🥄 4. Assemble Like a Pro (15 mins)

✅ Key: Chill cups 10 mins between layers to prevent bleeding.

❄️ 5. Chill & Serve

• Cover with lids or plastic wrap.
• Refrigerate 2+ hours (essential for clean layers!).
• Drizzle with extra caramel + cinnamon before serving.

🍯 5-Minute Homemade Caramel Sauce

(Better than store-bought!)

1. Melt ½ cup granulated sugar in saucepan over medium heat (no stirring—swirl pan).
2. Once amber-colored, carefully add ¼ cup heavy cream (stand back—it bubbles!).
3. Stir in 2 tbsp butter + ½ tsp sea salt until smooth.
4. Cool 10 mins before using.
   

   ✅ Store extra in jar for 2 weeks!

🍂 Serving & Storage

🌟 Pro Tips for Perfection

• Apple hack: Soak chopped apples in 1 cup water + 1 tbsp lemon juice for 5 mins before cooking → brighter color.
• No piping bag? Spoon mousse into ziplock, snip corner, and pipe.
• Dairy-free? Use coconut cream + almond milk pudding.
• Adult upgrade: Add 1 tbsp bourbon to apples.

💬 Why This Works (The Science)

• Vanilla wafers > graham crackers → Neutral flavor lets caramel shine
• Chilling pudding before adding cream → Prevents deflation (science = fluffier mousse!)
• Cooled apples → No steam = no soggy layers
• Salted caramel in mousse + drizzle → Flavor layers (subtle → bold)

🏁 Final Thoughts: Dessert Cup Magic

These Caramel Apple Dessert Cups prove that the most impressive treats don’t need to be complicated. With their crisp crust, silky mousse, and spiced apple surprise, they’re like holding a slice of pie in your hand—without the pie stress.

So grab your vanilla wafers, warm that caramel, and get layering. Because nothing says “fall” quite like a spoonful of autumn in a cup.

Simple ingredients. Elegant layers. Zero oven required.