The Cutest, Most Scrumptious Apple Dessert Ever!

I found this recipe in a post on Facebook and couldn’t resist trying it. Much to my delight, the finished product turned out even better than how yummy and mouth-watering it looked in the photo. It is quite easy, although a bit time consuming – but worth the effort. I will also show you how to make it as a one  dish dessert, removing all of the effort and keeping all of the deliciousness!

These little wonders are called Caramel Apple Crisp Bites and they are as adorable as they are compact; easily offered as an individual serving for a large group. However, make sure that you make extra, because although one is sufficient to satisfy a sweet tooth, your guests will most surely be coming back for more.

CARAMEL APPLE CRISP BITES

Ingredients

• 2 cup graham cracker crumbs 
• 12 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 4 cups peeled, cored and chopped apples (I used granny smith)
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 1/4 tablespoons flour
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• Caramel topping (store bought!)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Grease pan with non-stick butter spray
3. Melt butter
4. In a medium size bowl mix graham cracker crumbs, powdered sugar and butter with a spoon
5. Evenly distribute mixture to the 24 mini muffin cups. Press along the bottom and sides to make a “cup”
6. Bake for 5 minutes and let cool completely
7. Chop the apples into little pieces – I used a food processor.  Don’t puree, just finely chop
8. Mix apples, sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg in a bowl
9. Bake in a baking dish for 15 minutes on 375 degrees, until apples are slightly softened (No need to grease the dish as the apples will create enough liquid to keep it from sticking)
10. Scoop a teaspoon or so of the apple mix and place on top of the graham cracker crust cups (while still in the muffin pan)
11. Sprinkle any extra graham cracker on top of the apples (I had some left over!)
12. Bake for 5 minutes on 350°
13. Let cool completely
14. Use a knife to loosen from pan and they should pop right out
15. Drizzle with caramel topping
16. Enjoy

Notes

1. I used my Apple-Peeler-Corer and it worked wonderfully to prep the apples. I cut the slices in half and then chopped them the rest of the way in the food processor.
2. The recipe is easily doubled or tripled. If you are making a lot, borrow some extra muffin tins as the waiting time for cooking and cooling will keep you there too long if you don’t have extra.
3. Make sure you cool them before you try to remove them from the muffin cups or they will stick. Once cooled, they easily pop out!

Variation

1. To make this into a single pan dessert, eliminate the bottom crust. Prepare your apples. (I just cored and cut up unpeeled Gala apples into large chunks and did not pre-cook them.) Spray a 9×11 pan with butter spray, add the apple chunks and cover with the graham cracker mixture. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until browned and crisp on top and the apples are fork tender. If the top starts browning too much before the apples are fully cooked, cover lightly with foil to finish cooking.
2. Drizzle caramel sauce on top and serve warm with fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

(Printable recipe can be found in the recipe index under Desserts)