For the Caramel Apple Filling

These are the star ingredients that bring the “caramel apple” flavor to life:

• 4 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Gala work best)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (optional, for extra sweetness)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional, but adds warmth)
• 1–2 tablespoons water (as needed, to help the apples soften)
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice (to brighten the flavor and balance the sweetness)
• A pinch of salt (to enhance the caramel notes)

The apples, butter, and brown sugar are the heart of the filling. The extra sugar and spices simply round out the flavor and help create a rich, caramel-like syrup around the apple pieces.

For the Crumb Base

This forms the crunchy, buttery layer at the bottom of each cup. You can think of it like the crust of a cheesecake or pie, but easier.

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs, digestive biscuit crumbs, or crushed speculoos/biscoff cookies
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• A pinch of salt

This mixture becomes a sweet, sandy layer that packs easily into the bottom of your cups and gives each spoonful a pleasant crunch.

For the Creamy Layer

The creamy layer balances the sweetness of the apples and caramel with a smooth, cool texture.

• 4 oz (about 115 g) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup heavy cream, very cold
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• A small pinch of salt