These Caramel Apple Trifles are the perfect apple dessert – no bake, super easy and full of caramel, cinnamon and apples! An easy recipe for Fall!
Looking for more trifle recipes? Try this easy Triple Berry Trifle recipe!
Caramel Apple Trifles
I’m totally loving these cute little trifles. With so many tasty layers, what’s not to love? Here’s what’s in there:
- Cinnamon apples
- Caramel sauce
- Cinnamon granola
- Cinnamon whipped cream
Clearly there’s loads of cinnamon, apples and caramel sauce. So many of my favorite fall things! And unlike so many trifles that use cake or brownies or something similar, these use granola. It not only adds some crunch, but also lightens the trifles up just a bit. I love the texture and flavor of it with the apples and caramel, but of course you could use something like pound cake too.
How to Make Caramel Apple Trifles
The first thing you’ll want to do is make the caramel sauce so that it has some time to cool. You could even make it several days ahead if you want. I use my Easy Salted Caramel Sauce and I totally recommend it, but you could certainly use a store bought sauce if you want to make things even easier.
Once your sauce is made, you can make the cinnamon apples. Combine the apples, lemon juice, nutmeg, cinnamon and brown sugar in a pan and cook until the apples are tender. Easy peasy!
Let the apples cool a bit, then make the cinnamon whipped cream and it’s time to layer everything together.
Start with the whipped cream, then the granola, caramel sauce and apples. Top the trifles with a little more caramel sauce.
These trifles are great for making a little bit ahead. I like the crunch of the granola, but I also like it soften just a bit. So for me, these are great a few hours after making them. But you could certainly eat them immediately or even make them a day ahead. After that, the granola does soften up a good bit. Totally still yummy, but you lose that crunch.
These Caramel Apple Trifles are so delicious and great for fall! The recipe makes just 4 trifles, so it’s great for just making for the family as a special treat, or for doubling up for a group. Either way – a great way to use up some apples and try a treat that’s full of flavor and texture. I hope you enjoy them!
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Caramel Apple Trifles
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 Trifles 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Caramel Apple Trifles are the perfect apple dessert for Fall! It’s a super easy, no bake recipe, full of caramel, cinnamon and apples!
Ingredients
Caramel Sauce*
- 1 cup (207g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (120ml) water
- 1/4 cup (56g) unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 to 1 tsp salt
Cinnamon Apples
- 3 Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg
- 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 4 tbsp (56g) packed brown sugar
Cinnamon Whipped Cream and Granola
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup (58g) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 cup Cinnamon Granola (I used this granola)
Instructions
Make the Caramel Sauce
*You can replace the caramel sauce with a store-bought sauce, if preferred.
- In a medium to large sauce pan, combine the granulated sugar and water. Cook over medium-low heat until the sugar is completely dissolved, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add the butter and let it melt. Over medium heat, bring the mixture to a boil.
- Stop whisking and don’t whisk at all during this part to help avoid crystallization. Allow to boil until the mixture turns a deep golden copper color, about 10-15 minutes, maybe longer depending on your stove. Keep an eye on it, but do not stir. If needed, you can occasionally tip the pan from side to side to help things cook evenly.
- Remove the pan from the heat and immediately add in the heavy whipping cream in a slow, steady stream. The caramel will bubble up quite a bit, so be careful with this step. Whisk quickly and well as you add the cream, whisking until well combined.
- Add the vanilla extract and half a teaspoon of salt and whisk to combine. Add additional salt to your desired saltiness.
- Allow the caramel sauce to cool. It will be fairly thin, but will thicken as it cools. Cool caramel to about room temperature.
- If you want to make the caramel sauce in advance, store it in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Make the Cinnamon Apples
- Wash and peel apples. Cut into bite sized pieces.
- Combine apples, lemon juice, nutmeg, cinnamon and brown sugar in a medium pan and toss to coat.
- Cook apples on medium-low for about 10-15 minutes, or until at preferred softness. Allow to cool for about 10-15 minutes.
Make the Cinnamon Whipped Cream and Assemble Trifles
- Add the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar and cinnamon to a large mixer bowl and whip on high speed until stiff peaks form.
- Once everything is made and ready, build the trifles. Add an even layer of whipped cream into the bottom of 4 cups or jars.
- Top with about 2 tablespoons granola in an even layer.
- Drizzle about 1 tablespoon of caramel sauce over granola.
- Spoon about 2 tablespoons of apples over the caramel.
- Repeat the layers once more and then drizzle more caramel over the tops of each trifle.
- Can be eaten immediately but taste best when given time to set in the fridge for 2-3 hours, or until ready to serve. Trifles are best when eaten within 1-2 days and leftovers should be stored in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Trifle
- Calories: 757
- Sugar: 74.7 g
- Sodium: 190.7 mg
- Fat: 43.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 94.8 g
- Protein: 4.8 g
- Cholesterol: 114.6 mg
Enjoy!
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I made these in 3oz square mini dessert cups for a dessert social. They turned out so cute & delicious!
I’m glad you enjoyed them!
What wine would u pair with this dessert?
I’m not sure. I don’t really drink wine unless it’s sweet lol.
Hi Lindsay,
Can you tell me please how large are the glasses? Thanks
If I remember correctly, they are 9oz glasses. I got them from Walmart a while back.
The recipe was delicious, everyone LOVED IT!!
So glad to hear that!
Could you please share your cinnamon granola recipe that you used for this? I’ve not had much luck find one that I really like. Thanks!
I used the KIND brand of cinnamon granola. I added a link to the recipe for it.
Can this be made a day in advance?
Yes, that should be fine.
Did you peel the apples for this? Do you recommend peeling them, or just keeping the skin on?
Yes, I would peel them.
Looks amazing. I am trying it this weekend. Test run as potential star Thanksgiving dessert option. Do you have any guidance on how far ahead these could be prepared, and how best stored? If not the assembled dessert, perhaps some of the elements? Thank you. -Attila
So how far in advance to prepare them depends a little. As they sit, the granola is going to soften. So if you want the granola to stay more crunchy then you will want to make them no more than 24 hours in advance. If you’re OK with it softening a little more, then they could easily be made 2 to 3 days in advance. As long as you use the full amount of powdered sugar in the whipped cream to keep it stable, it will hold up very well. And the apples will be fine. I would just add the caramel on top shortly before serving.
Its surprising how different and unique this tastes yet all these are common ingredients. Loving your style already and the flavors tell why. Thanks
Hi! If I were to make this in a regular trifle bowl (instead of minis), would you recommend doubling the recipe? Thanks!
Yes, I would recommend doubling the recipe.
Hi Lindsay,
I’m making your delicious sounding trifle recipe for a Christmas party on Wednesday and was wondering how many oz are your servings? It says 4 but how big is each? I need to calculate the quantities for 12 x 3oz mason jars. Thanks!
I believe these are 9 ounce cups.
These Apple Trifles Look soooo Delicious. I want to try it !!! I would like to receive more of your Delicious recipes