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Creamy Caramel Apple Pudding Cups

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Creamy Caramel Apple Pudding Cups are a quick and easy fall dessert featuring tender apples, silky homemade pudding, and luscious caramel, all layered in individual cups. This comforting treat is perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or cozy nights in, delivering nostalgic flavors with a modern twist.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1/3 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • Optional: extra caramel for drizzling
  • 2 cups whole milk (or oat milk for dairy-free)
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon butter (optional, for extra creaminess)
  • Optional toppings: whipped cream, crushed graham crackers or vanilla wafers, extra caramel drizzle, toasted pecans or walnuts

Instructions

  1. In a medium saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Add diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Stir and cook for 5-7 minutes until apples are soft but not mushy. If apples start sticking, add a tablespoon of water. Set aside.
  2. In a clean saucepan, whisk together whole milk, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt. Heat over medium, whisking continuously. Once warm (about 3 minutes), ladle out a small amount and whisk into the egg yolk in a bowl to temper. Pour yolk mixture back into the saucepan and continue whisking for another 5-7 minutes, until pudding thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and optional butter. Strain if lumpy.
  3. Spoon a layer of caramel sauce (about 2 teaspoons) into the bottom of each serving cup or jar. Top with a scoop of cooked apples. Pour pudding over apples, dividing evenly. For neat layers, let pudding cool slightly before adding. For a marbled look, swirl caramel into the pudding layer.
  4. Cover cups loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or freeze for 20-25 minutes if in a hurry).
  5. Before serving, add whipped cream, crushed cookies, extra caramel drizzle, and toasted nuts if desired. Serve cold.

Notes

For gluten-free, use GF caramel sauce and skip cookie toppings or use GF varieties. For dairy-free, substitute oat or almond milk and plant-based butter. Dice apples evenly for best texture. If pudding is lumpy, strain while warm. Prep apples while pudding ingredients come to temperature to save time. Pudding cups can be made ahead and topped just before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: caramel apple pudding, fall dessert, easy pudding cups, creamy apple dessert, caramel apple cups, autumn recipes, comfort food, potluck dessert

Find it online: https://jodierecipes.com/creamy-caramel-apple-pudding-cups-easy-5-step-fall-dessert-recipe/