Easy Caramel Apple Trifle Desserts
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These Caramel Apple Trifles taste like fall in a jar. Sweet, tart, fluffy, and cool, each spoonful is layered with cozy apple-cinnamon flavor and creamy whipped goodness. Whether you’re hosting a crowd or craving an easy no bake dessert for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a lazy afternoon, this one checks every box.
Caramel Apple Trifles Are Fun & Easy Desserts
If you’re looking for Fall Trifle Recipes that are quick, festive, and completely fuss-free, these Caramel Apple Trifle Cups are a must-try.
I love sharing a delicious trifle with my friends and family. While tiramisu is my absolute favorite (along with my youngest daughter), this one is a close second, and much easier.
In just 15 minutes, you’ll have a beautiful dessert that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. With layers of warm cinnamon apples, soft pound cake, cool whip (or whipped cream if you want to get fancy), and buttery caramel, they’re a total crowd-pleaser.
While I do enjoy making treats from scratch, sometimes I just need something fast and delicious and perfect for fall parties. Or when you need an easy no bake dessert for Thanksgiving or Christmas or a Friendsgiving potluck treat.
Even better? You can prep the apples ahead, and just assemble them in about 15 minutes. Hello stress-free holiday hosting (my other favorite thing).
⭐️ Also check out our other easy apple treats, like these make ahead creamy apple cheesecake bars or our best cozy apple cake recipes for fall.
Why You’ll Love These Apple Pie Trifles
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Fall Trifle (Serves 2-3)
- 3 Granny Smith Apples (or use Honey Crisp, Fuji or Pink Lady or a combination of your faves)
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- Pinch of nutmeg
- 1½ tsp cinnamon
- 4 tbsp brown sugar
- 12 oz pound cake (or white, angel food, etc.)
- 8 oz Cool Whip
- 6 tbsp caramel sauce (We like the Ghirardelli or Torani ones)
TIP: Double or triple the recipe for a crowd, and serve in smaller glasses, jars or portable dessert cups. You can also use real whip cream instead of the cool whip, for an even more decadent dessert, if you have the time.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Medium saucepan
- Sharp knife and cutting board
- Piping bag (or ziploc bag with corner snipped)
- Spoon
- Small glasses, jars, or dessert cups
⭐️ Also try these fun fall pumpkin treats, perfect for Thanksgiving, and parties or these Spooky Halloween party desserts.
How to Make Caramel Apple Trifle
1. Cook the apples
Peel and dice the apples into small cubes.
Add the diced apples to a medium saucepan along with the lemon juice, nutmeg, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes until the apples are tender and the sugar is dissolved.
Let cool.
2. Prep the cake and Cool Whip
Cut the pound cake into bite-sized cubes. Add the Cool Whip to a piping bag or ziploc bag with one tip cut off.
3. Assemble the trifles
Add a layer of pound cake cubes to your jars. Spoon on a layer of cooked apples. Drizzle 1–2 tablespoons of caramel sauce over the apples. Pipe on a layer of Cool Whip (or use a spoon to add a layer of cool whip).
Repeat the layers one more time: cake, apples, caramel, Cool Whip. Finish with a final drizzle of caramel on top.
Depending on the size of your glass / jar, you may need to switch up the order of your layers. You want to end up with a layer of apples, whip topping and caramel drizzled on top.
4. Store the trifles
Cover the jars or cups and refrigerate for up to 2 days before serving.
Storage Tips: Can be made 1 to 2 days ahead and stored in fridge, however for the best texture, assemble the apple trifles the same day you plan to serve them.
Tips & Variations
- Use what you have: No pound cake? Angel food or vanilla sponge cake works beautifully too.
- Make it mini: Serve in shot glasses or mini jars for a bite-sized dessert table addition. Just make sure cake cubes & apple pieces are cut smaller to fit.
- Spice swap: Try pumpkin pie spice instead of cinnamon for a twist.
- Dairy-free? Use coconut whip and vegan cake to make it plant-based.
- Add crunch: Sprinkle crushed ginger snaps or granola between layers for texture.
Final Thoughts
This is one of those apple trifle desserts that feels fancy but couldn’t be easier to make.
With just a handful of ingredients and no oven required, it’s become one of my go-to easy fall treats when time is tight but dessert still needs to impress.
Whether you call it a dessert parfait, apple trifle or an apple parfait, each layer delivers that cozy fall flavor we all crave.
Keep this recipe on hand for Thanksgiving, fall gatherings, or anytime you want a sweet that’s both simple and satisfying.
Caramel Apple Trifle
These Caramel Apple Trifles taste like fall in a jar. Sweet, tart, fluffy, and cool, each spoonful is layered with cozy apple-cinnamon flavor and creamy whipped goodness. Whether you're hosting a crowd or craving an easy no bake dessert for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a lazy afternoon, this one checks every box.
Ingredients
- 3 Granny Smith Apples (or Honey Crisp, Fuji or Pink Lady or a combination of your favorite apples)
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- Pinch of nutmeg
- 1½ tsp cinnamon
- 4 tbsp brown sugar
- 12 oz pound cake (or white, angel food, etc.)
- 8 oz Cool Whip
- 6 tbsp caramel sauce (We like the Ghirardelli or Torani ones)
Instructions
1. Cook the apples
Peel and dice the apples into small cubes.
Add the diced apples to a medium saucepan along with the lemon juice, nutmeg, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes until the apples are tender and the sugar is dissolved.
Let cool.
2. Prep the cake and Cool Whip
Cut the pound cake into bite-sized cubes. Add the Cool Whip to a piping bag or ziploc bag with one tip cut off.
3. Assemble the trifles
Add a layer of pound cake cubes to your jars. Spoon on a layer of cooked apples. Drizzle 1–2 tablespoons of caramel sauce over the apples. Pipe on a layer of Cool Whip (or use a spoon to add a layer of cool whip).
Repeat the layers one more time: cake, apples, caramel, Cool Whip. Finish with a final drizzle of caramel on top.
Depending on the size of your glass / jar, you may need to switch up the order of your layers. You want to end up with a layer of apples, whip topping and caramel drizzled on top.
4. Store the trifles
Cover the jars or cups and refrigerate for up to 2 days before serving.
Storage Tips: Can be made 1 to 2 days ahead and stored in fridge, however for the best texture, assemble the apple trifles the same day you plan to serve them.
Notes
Tips & Variations
- Use what you have: No pound cake? Angel food or vanilla sponge cake works beautifully too.
- Make it mini: Serve in shot glasses or mini jars for a bite-sized dessert table addition. Just make sure cake cubes & apple pieces are cut smaller to fit.
- Spice swap: Try pumpkin pie spice instead of cinnamon for a twist.
- Dairy-free? Use coconut whip and vegan cake to make it plant-based
- Add crunch: Sprinkle crushed ginger snaps or granola between layers for texture.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 3 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 852Total Fat: 35gSaturated Fat: 22gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 75mgSodium: 592mgCarbohydrates: 132gFiber: 4gSugar: 103gProtein: 8g
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered from online calculators.
