Winter is almost upon us and apples are in abundance. So, why not make some warm pumpkin spice caramel apple dessert? And, top it with a delicious scoop of vanilla ice cream for that ultimate comfort food.
Table of Content
Is it getting cooler where you are? We have hot days but cooler evenings. It's amazing how the weather changes so much from one week to the next. Just last weekend we had a little picnic on the beach. Ah well, that's the weather, unpredictable.
One of our favorite treats in winter is this warm pumpkin spiced caramel apple dessert. You can have it cold of course but I prefer it warm with a dollop of ice cream. Absolute heaven. Just like eating a warm brownie with cold ice cream.
Why make this dessert?
- It is the perfect way to celebrate fall don't you think? Apples, caramel, pumpkin spice?
- Apples are not only plenty in winter but affordable too so this is a fairly inexpensive dessert to make.
- The best part? It gets done in less than 20 minutes.
- You can keep this pie filling in the fridge for a week or even freeze it for a month.
- Also, you can use this filling in any dessert that calls for an apple filling. Fill it in a braided puff pastry to make a delicious apple strudel, and pour it in a baked shortcrust pastry tart to make an apple pie tart. I love to use it in mini tarts to serve family and friends on special occasions.
Ingredients and substitutes
- Sugar - I am using a combination of white and brown sugar for the apples and caramel. The brown enhances the caramel flavor in the pie filling.
- Apples - I like to use tart Granny Smith apples for this dessert because they hold their shape well even after they are cooked soft and tender. In addition, they are tart, not sweet, which works beautifully with the sweetness in the pastry and filling.
- Lemon - Just a little lemon will help cut the sweetness it this dessert. But, if you use all Granny smith reduce the lemon.
- Butter - adds to the richness of the filling and also gives it that lovely smoothness to the sauce.
- Pumpkin Spice -I've used homemade pumpkin spice but you can also use cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground ginger instead
Caramel Apple Dessert
- Chop apples - In a large bowl, peel, core, and chop the apple into small cubes. Add lemon juice to prevent discoloration.
- Combine - Pour the apple into a saucepan along with all the other ingredients.
- Cook the apple pie mixture over medium heat until the apples release all their juice and start to thicken. Remove from heat and let cool until barely warm.
- Storage - you can use this filling in any apple dessert that calls for apple pie filling. Or serve this as is in a bowl topped with ice cream.
Caramel sauce
- In a heavy-bottom deep saucepan, add the sugar, water, and corn syrup.
Pro tip - Corn syrup prevents crystallization, you can also use 1 teaspoon lemon juice. - With the heat on medium-high, bring the sugar to a boil. Shake the pan slowly guiding the distribution of heat. DO NOT STIR for the first 3 minutes then use a wooden spoon.
Pro tip - We avoid stirring to prevent the crystallization of sugar. - Reduce to medium heat. The sugar should now be a deep amber color. Add the butter followed by the cream. Take it off the heat so it does not overflow or overheat in the pan.
Pro tip - The caramel will rise at this point, that's normal hence the deep saucepan. - Add the vanilla extract and salt. Cool for a few minutes in the pan. Then, pour it into a mason jar or storage bowl. The sauce will thicken as it cools.
Pro tip - Caramel is very hot so it's best not to pour it immediately into glass storage to prevent cracking.
Serve
- Bowl - In a small ramekin or serving bowl, add about ½ cup of the apple pie filling, top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and drizzle the cooled caramel sauce over.
- Storage - you can use this filling in any apple dessert that calls for apple pie filling. It will stay at room temperature for 2 days or in the fridge for up to a week.
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Printable Recipe
Pumpkin Spice Caramel Apple Dessert
Print Pin Rate Share by Email Share on FB Save GrowCalories: 330kcal
Adjust Servings Here: 2 Servings
Description
Winter is almost upon us and apples are in abundance why not make some spiced up warm caramel apple dessert? Top it with a delicious scoop of vanilla ice cream for that ultimate comfort food. Serve this on a cold weekend or entertain with family and friends. With or without ice cream this dessert is an absolute treat that gets ready in 20 minutes or less.
Conversions Used
1 lb = 453 grams, 1 cup = 240 ml, 1 stick = 113g, 1 tbsp= 15 ml, 1 tsp= 5 ml,
Ingredients
Apple pie filling
- 3 Apples (large, sliced)
- 1 teaspoon Lemon
- 1 pinch Kosher salt
- 3 tablespoon Brown Sugar
- 2 tablespoon Butter
- 1 tablespoon Cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon Pumpkin Spice (or ground cinnamon )
Caramel sauce
- 1 cup Sugar
- 3 tablespoon Water
- 2 tablespoon Corn syrup ((optional) prevents crystallization )
- 4 tablespoon Unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon Coarse salt
- ¼ cup Heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Plus
- 2 cup Vanilla ice cream (to serve )
Instructions
Apple pie filling
- Chop apples - In a large bowl, peel, core, and chop the apple into small cubes. Add lemon juice to prevent discoloration.3 Apples
- Combine - Pour the apple into a saucepan along with all the other ingredients.1 teaspoon Lemon, 1 pinch Kosher salt, 3 tablespoon Brown Sugar, 2 tablespoon Butter, 1 tablespoon Cornstarch, 1 teaspoon Pumpkin Spice
- Cook the apple pie mixture over medium heat until the apples release all their juice and start to thicken. Remove from heat and let cool until barely warm.
Caramel sauce
- In a heavy-bottom deep saucepan, add the sugar, water, and corn syrup.Pro tip - Corn syrup prevents crystallization, you can also use 1 teaspoon lemon juice.1 cup Sugar, 3 tablespoon Water, 2 tablespoon Corn syrup
- With the heat on medium-high, bring the sugar to a boil. Shake the pan slowly guiding the distribution of heat. DO NOT STIR for the first 3 minutes then use a wooden spoon.Pro tip - We avoid stirring to prevent the crystallization of sugar.
- Reduce to medium heat. The sugar should now be a deep amber color. Add the butter followed by the cream. Take it off the heat so it does not overflow or overheat in the pan.Pro tip - The caramel will rise at this point, that's normal hence the deep saucepan.4 tablespoon Unsalted butter, ¼ cup Heavy cream
- Add the vanilla extract and salt. Cool for a few minutes in the pan. Then, pour it into a mason jar or storage bowl. The sauce will thicken as it cools.Pro tip - Caramel is very hot so it's best not to pour it immediately into glass storage to prevent cracking.½ teaspoon Coarse salt, 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Serve
- Bowl - In a small ramekin or serving bowl, add about ½ cup of the apple pie filling, top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and drizzle the cooled caramel sauce over.2 cup Vanilla ice cream
- Storage - you can use this filling in any apple dessert that calls for apple pie filling. It will stay at room temperature for 2 days or in the fridge for up to a week.
Recipe Notes & Tips
Nutrition Information
Serving: 43- grams per serving (2 tarts)Calories: 330- kcalCarbohydrates: 60- gProtein: 1- gFat: 12- gSaturated Fat: 7- gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1- gMonounsaturated Fat: 3- gTrans Fat: 0.5- gCholesterol: 30- mgSodium: 118- mgPotassium: 329- mgFiber: 7- gSugar: 46- gVitamin A: 500- IUVitamin C: 14- mgCalcium: 41- mgIron: 1- mg
The nutrition information and metric conversion are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator. Thank you
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Amy
I believe you left out the butter on step 1. We tried making this and wound up with burnt sugar bark!
Veena Azmanov
Hey Amy, Sorry about that. Must have missed it in the recipe card. Though, even without the butter, you can caramelize the sugar, similar to making caramel. You just need to cook on medium to low heat. In this recipe, you can add the butter later as well.
Gabi
I love it how quick you can prepare this easy apple dessert. With a huge apple harvest this autumn in my region, I can't have enough recipe ideas. Thank you for inspiring me.
Veena Azmanov
Oh, it is very very quick Gabi. which is why it's my favorite
Corina Blum
Oh yummy! It looks so easy but absolutely delicious! I can't get enough of spicy apple desserts right now.
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Corina.
Amy
This is such a yummy autumn dessert I can't wait to try!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you. Amy.