Description
A delicious dessert that combines the flavors of caramel and apple in a layered eclair cake.
Ingredients
- For the Apple Filling
- 4 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
- For the Cream Layer
- 2 packages (3.4 oz each) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 3 cups cold milk
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 8 oz whipped topping, thawed
- For Assembly
- 1 box (14.4 oz) graham crackers
- 1 cup caramel sauce
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts, optional
Instructions
- Make the apple filling. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender.
- Mix the cornstarch and water in a small bowl. Stir it into the apples and cook for 1–2 minutes until the mixture thickens. Remove from the heat and let cool completely.
- Prepare the pudding layer. Whisk the instant pudding mixes with cold milk for about 2 minutes, until thickened.
- In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Fold in the whipped topping, then gently fold this mixture into the prepared pudding.
- Assemble the cake. Line the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish with a single layer of graham crackers, breaking them as needed to fit.
- Spread half of the pudding mixture over the graham crackers. Spoon half of the cooled apple filling over the cream layer and drizzle with about ½ cup caramel sauce.
- Add another layer of graham crackers, followed by the remaining pudding mixture, remaining apples, and another drizzle of caramel.
- Finish with a final layer of graham crackers. Spread a thin layer of whipped topping over the top, if desired.
- Chill for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight, so the graham crackers soften and the layers set.
- Before serving, drizzle generously with the remaining caramel sauce. Sprinkle with cinnamon and chopped pecans or walnuts.
Notes
- For the best texture, make this dessert the day before serving.
- The overnight chilling allows the graham crackers to become soft and cake-like while the apple and caramel flavors blend together.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg