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Caramel Apple Dessert Cups are the ultimate treat for fall gatherings or any time you crave something sweet with a little crunch. These dessert cups bring together tart apples, silky-smooth caramel chocolate sauces, and an irresistible coconut crunch topping. Perfect for parties or family night, they look gorgeous and taste even better.
I whipped these up for a last-minute Thanksgiving and everyone asked for the recipe. Their unbeatable combination of chewy, crisp, and creamy textures makes them truly unforgettable.
Ingredients
- Gala apples: Select crisp and fresh apples for the best snap and sweetness. Gala is wonderful for its mellow taste and vibrant color
- White chocolate chips: Choose a good quality chip for melting. White chocolate brings a creamy counterpoint to tart apples
- Soft caramels: Always soft and chewy not hard style for melting smoothly
- Heavy cream: Use full-fat cream for luxurious sauces
- Milk chocolate chips: Pick milk chocolate for a classic duo flavor profile
- Sweetened coconut flakes: Freshness is key here. They are essential for a crunchy, tropical topping
- Light brown sugar: Just a touch sweetens the coconut perfectly
- Pinch of salt: A tiny amount brings out the other flavors in each sauce
- Ground cinnamon: For an aromatic sprinkle to finish
Instructions
- Prepare the Apples:
- Stir salt into room-temperature water and soak your sliced apples for up to ten minutes. This helps prevent browning and keeps them crisp. Drain thoroughly rinse and dry every slice with a towel until no moisture remains.
- Make Coconut Crunch:
- Set your oven to moderate heat. Toss sweetened coconut flakes with brown sugar on a large baking sheet to coat evenly. Bake for up to fifteen minutes stirring the tray every five minutes so all sides brown. Let the coconut cool completely before using.
- Golden Spice Sauce:
- Combine white chocolate chips soft caramels and salt in a medium bowl. Heat the cream until just below boiling and pour it over the mixture. Cover the bowl for five minutes. Stir slowly until the mixture is glossy and smooth. Only use short microwave bursts if the chocolate remains lumpy.
- Assemble Golden Spice Cups:
- Divide your dried apple slices between clear cups or ramekins. Pour over generous drizzles of the warm golden spice sauce. Add a flurry of cooled coconut crunch and finish with a pinch of ground cinnamon.
- Chocolate Duo Sauce:
- Repeat the sauce-making method with milk chocolate chips and more caramels and cream. This creates a luscious second sauce for variety.
- Assemble Chocolate Duo Cups:
- Distribute apple slices in clean cups. Ladle on the chocolate duo sauce and pile more coconut crunch on top for a decadent finish.
- Party Option:
- Keep both sauces warm by placing their jars in a pot filled with hot water. Set up a bar with sliced apples and toppings so guests can build their own cups as they mingle.
My favorite part is the coconut crunch. The scent as it bakes fills my kitchen and makes everyone wander in to sneak a taste. Once I caught my little cousin snacking by the handful before I even finished assembling the cups.
Storage Tips
Leftover apple slices should be stored airtight so they do not brown. Sauces can be cooled and kept in jars in the fridge up to five days. Warm sauces gently before serving and store coconut crunch in a dry jar for extra crispness.
Ingredient Substitutions
Use Granny Smith apples if you want more tart flavor or swap coconut crunch with chopped toasted pecans for a nutty option. Plant-based cream and vegan caramels can make this dairy free.
Serving Suggestions
Offer extra toppings like mini chocolate chips or a sprinkle of sea salt flakes for variety. Serve these dessert cups in clear glasses for a pretty presentation at the table.
Cultural and Seasonal Inspiration
Caramel apples are a classic fall treat linked with fairs and Halloween. This recipe offers all the nostalgia without the stickiness and is much easier for sharing with a group.
Seasonal Adaptations
Replace apples with thinly sliced pears for late winter
Use spiced dark chocolate chips for a warming twist
Add dried cranberries or golden raisins to the coconut crunch mix
Success Stories
One year my nephew set up a build-your-own station for his birthday party. The kids loved making their own combinations and not a single apple slice was left by the end. This has become a top-requested recipe at our family reunions too.
Freezer Meal Conversion
While these dessert cups are best enjoyed fresh you can prepare the coconut crunch and chocolate sauces ahead of time and freeze them. Defrost sauces in the fridge and reheat gently for serving.
I once learned that stirring vigorously can make white chocolate seize up so always stir slowly and patiently after adding the hot cream. A little patience makes all the difference for a velvety sauce every time.
Recipe FAQs
- → What type of apples work best?
Gala apples are recommended for their natural sweetness and crisp texture, which hold up well with the sauces.
- → Can the coconut crunch be made ahead?
Yes, prepare the coconut crunch in advance and store it in an airtight container for up to three days.
- → How do you keep apples from browning?
Soak apple slices in lightly salted water for a few minutes, then rinse and dry to help preserve their fresh color.
- → Is it necessary to use both chocolate sauces?
No, you can use only one sauce if preferred; each offers a distinct flavor pairing with the apples and coconut.
- → What is a good serving suggestion for parties?
Serve sauces warm in jars within a heated water bath and let guests assemble their own apple dessert cups.