Caramel Apple Pie Lush Recipe
Introduction
This Caramel Apple Pie Lush is a delightful layered dessert combining the warmth of spiced apples with creamy cheesecake and a crunchy graham cracker crust. It’s an easy, no-bake treat perfect for family gatherings or holiday celebrations.
Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups graham cracker crumbs (about 28 full graham crackers)
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¾ cup melted salted butter
- 2 (8-ounce) packages softened cream cheese
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 (21-ounce) cans apple pie filling
- 1 (8-ounce) container thawed whipped topping
- Caramel sauce (for drizzling)
- Graham cracker crumbs (for topping)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, and melted butter until the mixture resembles damp sand.
- Step 3: Press the crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of a baking pan using a flat-bottomed glass or measuring cup. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until fragrant and edges are golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
- Step 4: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, ⅔ cup granulated sugar, vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, and ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg with a hand mixer or stand mixer until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Step 5: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooled crust and chill in the refrigerator for 10–20 minutes.
- Step 6: Chop the apples from the canned pie filling and spread them evenly over the chilled cheesecake layer, ensuring you include as much filling as possible.
- Step 7: Spread the thawed whipped topping evenly over the apple layer. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Step 8: Just before serving, drizzle caramel sauce and sprinkle additional graham cracker crumbs over the top for garnish.
Tips & Variations
- For a stronger caramel flavor, warm the caramel sauce slightly before drizzling it over the dessert.
- You can substitute the apple pie filling with fresh sautéed apples mixed with cinnamon and sugar if preferred.
- Use reduced-fat cream cheese and whipped topping for a lighter version without sacrificing flavor.
- Chill the dessert overnight to enhance the flavors and make slicing easier.
Storage
Store the Caramel Apple Pie Lush covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep it chilled until serving for the best texture. Leftovers can be eaten cold or allowed to sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before serving. Avoid freezing as the whipped topping and crust texture may change.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make this dessert ahead of time?
Yes, this dessert actually benefits from chilling overnight or at least 4 hours to allow the layers to set and the flavors to blend perfectly.
Can I use fresh apples instead of canned pie filling?
Absolutely. Sauté chopped fresh apples with cinnamon and sugar until tender, then cool before layering. This will give a fresher texture but requires additional prep time.
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Caramel Apple Pie Lush Recipe
- Total Time: 4 hours 32 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
Caramel Apple Pie Lush is a decadent layered dessert featuring a spiced graham cracker crust, creamy cinnamon-infused cheesecake layer, topped with chopped apple pie filling, whipped topping, and drizzled with caramel sauce. This no-bake pie is perfect for fall or anytime you crave a rich apple-flavored treat.
Ingredients
Crust
- 2 ¾ cups graham cracker crumbs (about 28 full graham crackers)
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¾ cup melted salted butter
Cheesecake Layer
- 2 (8-ounce) packages softened cream cheese
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Apple Layer
- 2 (21-ounce) cans apple pie filling
Topping
- 1 (8-ounce) container thawed whipped topping
- Caramel sauce (for drizzling)
- Graham cracker crumbs (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the crust.
- Make Crust: In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and melted salted butter until the mixture resembles damp sand.
- Press and Bake Crust: Press the crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan using a flat-bottomed glass or measuring cup. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until fragrant and edges are golden brown.
- Cool Crust: Remove the crust from the oven and allow it to cool completely before adding subsequent layers.
- Prepare Cheesecake Layer: In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg with a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment until smooth, scraping down the sides as necessary.
- Chill Cheesecake Layer: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooled crust and chill in the refrigerator for 10-20 minutes.
- Prepare Apple Layer: Chop the apples from the apple pie filling cans to break them into smaller pieces. Spread the chopped pie filling evenly over the chilled cheesecake layer, making sure to use all the filling.
- Add Topping: Spread thawed whipped topping evenly over the apple layer. Cover and refrigerate the assembled pie for at least 4 hours or overnight for best flavor and texture.
- Serve: Just before serving, drizzle caramel sauce over the top and sprinkle with graham cracker crumbs for added texture and decoration.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened at room temperature for smooth mixing.
- Chilling the cheesecake layer before adding apple filling helps it set properly.
- You can use homemade apple pie filling or store-bought for convenience.
- For extra crunch, add chopped nuts to the topping if desired.
- Caramel sauce can be warmed slightly for easier drizzling.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Caramel Apple Pie Lush, apple dessert, layered pie, cream cheese cheesecake, caramel sauce, graham cracker crust, easy fall dessert
