Description
Silky caramel apple dessert cups showcase autumn’s sweet charm from Mexico’s culinary traditions. Crisp pastry shells cradle warm spiced apples, inviting you to savor each delightful spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups (354 ml) graham cracker crumbs (about 10 – 12 graham crackers)
- 6 tbsps (85 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar
Instructions
- Craft a graham cracker base by blending crumbs with melted butter and sugar in a mixing bowl.
- Firmly press the mixture into dessert cups, creating an even foundational layer that reaches approximately 1/4 inch thick.
- Refrigerate the crust for 15 minutes to solidify while preparing the apple mixture.
- Peel and dice apples into uniform small cubes for consistent cooking.
- Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat, around 325°F, and introduce diced apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Sauté the apple mixture for 6-7 minutes until tender and caramelized, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Incorporate vanilla extract and stir thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly.
- Dissolve cornstarch in water or apple juice, then pour into the apple mixture to create a thickened sauce.
- Remove apple filling from heat and allow to cool for approximately 10 minutes.
- Layer the chilled graham cracker crust with the prepared apple mixture, ensuring even distribution.
- Generously drizzle caramel sauce across the apple layer for enhanced sweetness.
- Whip heavy cream in a chilled bowl until soft peaks form, gradually adding powdered sugar and vanilla.
- Carefully pipe or spoon whipped cream atop the caramel apple layer.
- Garnish with additional caramel drizzle, crushed graham crackers, and chopped nuts for texture.
- Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to allow flavors to meld, or serve immediately for a fresh, warm dessert experience.
Notes
- Choose crisp, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for better texture and balanced sweetness in the filling.
- Toast nuts before adding for enhanced nutty flavor and crunchier texture.
- Make dessert gluten-free by substituting graham cracker crumbs with gluten-free cookie crumbs or almond flour.
- Prepare components ahead of time and assemble just before serving to maintain crust’s crispness and prevent sogginess.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 141
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 28 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg