18 Caramel Apple Desserts That Are Irresistibly Cozy

The combination of buttery caramel and crisp apples cannot be topped. This heavenly duo makes the best desserts, perfect for fall or any time of year. From classic apple pie to creamy cheesecake to a frosty milkshake, there are few apple desserts that can’t be improved with a drizzle of sweet caramel. If you're brainstorming for upcoming holiday gatherings or just have a craving for something new, take a look through our best caramel apple recipes.

Soft, pillowy pretzels get a sweet upgrade with brown sugar and chunks of apple baked right in. A drizzle of caramel glaze adds another layer of sweetness to the traditional baking soda-dipped exterior. Serve them warm and topped with a pinch of flaky sea salt.

Ree Drummond adds a touch of cinnamon and nutmeg to the pie crust in this luxurious apple pie recipe that works for any occasion. Sliced Granny Smith apples soften as the pie bakes underneath a crunchy mountain of brown sugar-oat streusel. Give the whole pie a generous pour of caramel sauce right when it comes out of the oven so that it can soak into all the gooey layers below.

Any fall festivity is sure to get a boost of joy with the addition of a yummy spiced snack cake. The base cake is full of apple chunks, warm spices and a hint of buttermilk for tang. Frost it with a sour cream-brown sugar frosting once cooled, then slice and serve.

In this fall-forward tart tatin, caramelized apples are baked under a butter pastry crust, then flipped for a dramatic reveal. A quick stovetop salted caramel sauce sets the apples in a tasty sauce that soaks into the crust while baking. Once cooled, the tart should release from the pan easily, though a quick kiss with a blow torch can help loosen things if needed.

This simple apple cake comes together easily in one bowl. Bake it in a Bundt pan then let it cool before topping with caramel sauce. Make your own from scratch or use the recipe’s easy version made from melted Kraft caramels and milk.

This recipe allows you to enjoy a conveniently portable apple pie, perfect for taking on an afternoon stroll. Simmer a quick stovetop caramel, then fill rounds of store-bought pie dough with heaping piles of spiced and diced apples. A sprinkle of Demerara sugar on top just before baking gives each bite a crunchy texture to contrast the gooey caramel apple filling.

Skip the pie crust and make this apple dessert with a brown sugar-oat crumble. Packaged caramels take the guesswork out of making the filling, which folds in diced Granny Smith apples and plenty of cinnamon. A handful of chopped macadamia nuts in the crumble give each bite an extra buttery texture that makes this a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Layers and layers of delicately thin crepes get sandwiched between spoonfuls of caramel sauce, apple-cinnamon puree and mascarpone cheese. Let it chill, then top with extra caramel sauce and a pinch of sea salt. Both the caramel and apple puree can keep in the refrigerator, if you want to prepare some of this recipe in advance.

Cooler mornings call for a filling breakfast that’s hearty and cozy. Whole wheat pastry flour gives this oven-baked pancake a more toothsome texture to pair with the softened apples. Dust with confectioners’ sugar or a drizzle of maple syrup to finish.

Pick up a frozen pie crust or whip up your own favorite recipe to bake into the rim garnish for this over-the-top milkshake. Into the blender, combine milk, ice cream, spices, apple pie filling and pre-baked mini apple pies. Save one mini pie for the top of your glass and serve this milkshake with plenty of caramel sauce.

Big chunks of quartered Golden Delicious apples bake inside this fluffy sour cream and vanilla cake. A few spoonfuls of caramel sauce fills in the gaps between the apples and sets into the bottom of the batter while it bakes, which then becomes the top of the cake for serving. A halved apple pressed into the middle becomes the centerpiece of this charming autumnal dessert.

Warm, flaky apple strudel is a dish that never goes out of style. Store-bought frozen phyllo dough provides an easy(ish) start, leaving just the filling and wrapping to be made. Inside the golden-brown pastry is a gooey, caramel apple compote that has a bit of crushed gingersnap stirred in for added texture.

If a recipe includes an caramel apple flavor bomb, you can guess that it’s going to be good. The combination of apple butter, caramel sauce and apple pie spice flavors both the pudding and whipped cream layers of this pie, but you could use it to add to yogurt, oatmeal or lattes as well. An extra drizzle of caramel sauce and some chopped candied nuts garnish each slice to give it a flavor profile that’s light but rich.

Utilize a few premade items to make short work of this gorgeous cake. Bagged sliced and peeled apples give the final cake a more uniform texture and look and boxed cake mix forms the buttery, crumbly topping. Once baked, the baked apples become the stunning topping of this cozy dessert.

Velvety cheesecake meets vanilla-simmered apples in this decadent dessert. Toasted walnuts blended into the crust and sprinkled on top keep this recipe from being overly sweet and a finishing caramel sauce gets a cheeky spike of apple brandy. Artful layering of the simmered apples gives this dessert a visual appeal that will make it the centerpiece of any dinner table.

Nothing is quite as enjoyable as warm spiced apples with cold vanilla ice cream. To make this dreamy sundae, cook diced Granny Smith apples in butter, cinnamon and brown sugar caramel until softened. Once thickened, spoon over ice cream and dig in.

Popcorn, peanuts and apple chips combine in this crunchy mix. Coat stove-popped popcorn in a brown sugar candy syrup, then fold in peanuts and crushed apple chips. Enjoy while walking in the park or bag it up and gift it to friends.