Caramel Apple Dessert Cups Recipe

Homemade Caramel Apple Dessert Cups Recipe: Sweet Autumn Joy

Sweet memories flood back when I whip up this delightful caramel apple dessert cups treat that combines childhood nostalgia with elegant simplicity.

Crisp autumn apples dance perfectly with rich, golden caramel in a handheld delight.

Crunchy pastry shells cradle warm fruit compote, creating a miniature paradise of flavor.

Each bite promises a harmonious blend of textures that spark joy at first taste.

Guests will marvel at these charming individual servings that look far more complicated than they actually are.

Home bakers can confidently craft these impressive dessert cups with minimal kitchen skills.

The magic happens when simple ingredients come together in an unexpectedly sophisticated presentation.

Come experience a dessert that turns an ordinary evening into something wonderfully memorable.

Why You’ll Want Caramel Apple Dessert Cups Again

  • Craft Quickly: These dessert cups transform simple biscuit dough into a stunning treat with minimal kitchen skills required.
  • Customize Creatively: Swap pecans for walnuts, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or experiment with different fruit fillings to make this recipe uniquely yours.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or when you want a warm, sweet dessert that feels like a cozy hug in a cup.
  • Stress-Free Preparation: Using premade biscuit dough cuts down on complex baking steps, making this recipe accessible for bakers of all experience levels.

What You’ll Need For Caramel Apple Dessert Cups

Base Ingredients:
  • Biscuit Dough: Provides the crispy, golden cup structure for the dessert.
  • Apples: Fresh fruit that creates the sweet and tender filling of the dessert.
Filling and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Brown Sugar, Cinnamon: Adds warmth, sweetness, and traditional apple dessert spice to the filling.
  • Caramel Sauce: Provides a rich, sweet drizzle that complements the apple flavor.
  • Pecans: Offers a crunchy texture and nutty taste to the dessert.
Kitchen Essentials:
  • Muffin Tin: Used to shape and bake the biscuit cups.
  • Cooking Spray or Butter: Helps prevent the biscuit dough from sticking to the muffin tin.

Making Caramel Apple Dessert Cups Step By Step

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Turn your oven to 350F and get ready for a delightful baking adventure. This temperature will help create perfectly golden and crispy dessert cups.

Step 2: Shape Biscuit Bases

Grab your muffin tin and gently press each biscuit dough into the cups. Mold them carefully to create beautiful little vessel shapes that will hold your yummy filling.

Step 3: Prepare Delicious Apple Mixture

In a mixing bowl, combine:
  • Diced apples
  • Brown sugar
  • Cinnamon

Stir everything until the apples are beautifully coated with sweet and spicy goodness.

Step 4: Fill The Biscuit Cups

Spoon the apple mixture into each biscuit cup. Press down gently to ensure the filling nestles perfectly inside the dough.

Step 5: Add Decadent Toppings

Drizzle caramel sauce over each cup, creating delicious golden swirls. Sprinkle chopped pecans on top for a delightful crunch.

Step 6: Bake To Perfection

Place the muffin tin in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. Watch for a beautiful golden-brown color that signals your dessert is ready.

Step 7: Cool And Serve

Let the dessert cups rest for a few minutes. Serve them warm and watch everyone’s eyes light up with excitement.

Tips To Help With Caramel Apple Dessert Cups

  • Swap refrigerated biscuit dough for homemade or gluten-free dough to accommodate dietary preferences.
  • Dice apples uniformly for consistent cooking and even distribution in each cup.
  • Enhance flavor by toasting pecans before sprinkling them on top for a deeper, nuttier taste.
  • Prepare caramel sauce from scratch for a richer, more authentic dessert experience.
  • Cool dessert cups briefly to prevent burning while maintaining a warm, gooey texture.

Fun Combos For Caramel Apple Dessert Cups

  • Pumpkin Spice Apple Cups: Replace cinnamon with pumpkin pie spice and add a dollop of whipped cream on top for a fall-inspired version.
  • Nutty Chocolate Apple Cups: Swap pecans with chopped almonds and drizzle melted chocolate over the caramel for a rich, decadent treat.
  • Berry Caramel Apple Cups: Mix in fresh raspberries or blueberries with the apple filling for a tangy, fruity update.
  • Salted Caramel Crunch Cups: Sprinkle sea salt over the caramel and add crushed graham crackers for extra texture and flavor complexity.

What Matches Well With Caramel Apple Dessert Cups

  • Elevate Dessert Pairing: Serve with vanilla bean ice cream for a creamy, cold contrast to the warm caramel apple cups.
  • Brew the Perfect Companion: Pair with a rich, smooth caramel macchiato or a spiced chai latte to complement the dessert's sweet and cinnamon notes.
  • Wine Lover's Match: Select a sweet dessert wine like Moscato or a late harvest Riesling to enhance the caramel and apple flavors.
  • Nutty Crunch Addition: Garnish with extra toasted pecans or serve alongside candied pecan brittle for an extra layer of texture and nutty depth.

Storing Caramel Apple Dessert Cups Made Simple

  • Store cooled dessert cups in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Carefully layer them between parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Wrap individual cups tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container. Freeze for maximum 2 weeks. Label with date for easy tracking.
  • Warm in microwave for 20-30 seconds on medium power. Alternatively, reheat in preheated 325F oven for 5-7 minutes until warmed through.
  • Thaw overnight in refrigerator, then warm in oven at 325F for 8-10 minutes. Restore crispness by placing on baking sheet during reheating.

Caramel Apple Dessert Cups Questions Made Easy

  • Can I use a different type of dough for the cups?

Yes, you can substitute the biscuit dough with crescent roll dough or pie crust for a similar result.

  • Are there any alternatives to pecans if someone has a nut allergy?

You can replace pecans with rolled oats, sunflower seeds, or simply omit the nuts altogether for a nut-free version.

  • How do I know when the biscuit cups are fully cooked?

The cups are done when they turn golden brown around the edges and look crispy, typically after 15-20 minutes of baking.

  • Can I prepare these dessert cups ahead of time?

You can prep the apple mixture and assemble the cups in advance, then bake just before serving to ensure the best texture and flavor.

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Caramel Apple Dessert Cups Recipe

Caramel Apple Dessert Cups Recipe


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4.8 from 19 reviews

  • Total Time: 25-30 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Sweet caramel apple dessert cups bring autumn’s warmth to your table with crisp pastry shells cradling luscious spiced apple filling and silky caramel drizzle. Homemade comfort beckons with each delightful bite, inviting you to savor seasonal magic.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Fruits:

  • 2 apples, cored and diced

Pastry Base:

  • 1 package refrigerated biscuit dough

Toppings and Seasonings:

  • 1/2 cup caramel sauce
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Warm the oven to 350°F, ensuring an even heating environment for the dessert preparation.
  2. Carefully transform each biscuit dough into delicate cup shapes by gently pressing them into a greased muffin tin, creating uniform vessels for the filling.
  3. Combine diced apples with rich brown sugar and aromatic cinnamon in a mixing bowl, thoroughly coating each apple piece to ensure maximum flavor infusion.
  4. Delicately spoon the seasoned apple mixture into each biscuit cup, lightly pressing to distribute evenly and prevent air pockets.
  5. Artfully drizzle golden caramel sauce over the apple-filled cups, allowing it to cascade elegantly across the surface.
  6. Sprinkle a generous layer of finely chopped pecans atop each cup, adding a delightful crunch and nutty dimension to the dessert.
  7. Slide the muffin tin into the preheated oven, baking for 15-20 minutes until the biscuit cups transform into a beautiful golden-brown color and achieve a perfectly crisp texture.
  8. Remove from the oven and allow the dessert cups to cool slightly, letting the flavors meld and the caramel set before serving warm for maximum enjoyment.

Notes

  • Swap out regular biscuit dough for gluten-free alternatives to make this dessert celiac-friendly and accommodating for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Enhance the nutritional value by using whole wheat biscuit dough, adding extra fiber and complex carbohydrates to the dessert.
  • Control the sweetness by selecting a caramel sauce with lower sugar content or making a homemade version with natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup.
  • Experiment with different nuts like walnuts or almonds if pecans aren’t available, maintaining the delightful crunch and nutty flavor profile.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 220 kcal
  • Sugar: 18 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 29 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 10 mg
Samantha Lee

Samantha Lee

Recipe Developer & Content Creator

Expertise

Plant-based and vegetarian recipes, Recipe testing and development, Food blogging and digital content creation, Culinary education and workshops​

Education

Oregon Culinary Institute (Portland, OR)

  • Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Emphasized plant-based cooking, global cuisines, and recipe testing methodologies.​

Samantha sees cooking like painting, every fresh herb, every juicy tomato, a new splash of color on a canvas.
After graduating from Oregon Culinary Institute, she blended her love of global cuisines and plant-based cooking into recipes that feel fresh, fearless, and full of heart.
Samantha’s kitchen is a place where comfort food gets a modern remix and every meal feels like a little adventure. When she’s not cooking, she’s out exploring farmers’ markets, sketching new recipe ideas, or getting her hands dirty in a community garden.

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