These caramel apple cups bring crisp apple slices, caramel sauce and mini chocolate chips together in a snack that’s easy to serve and fun to eat. A handful of fall sprinkles adds a festive finish, making them a colorful addition to a harvest party, Thanksgiving gathering or family movie night.

Instead of dipping whole apples, you’ll divide thin apple slices among clear snack cups and add the toppings. Everyone gets their own serving, complete with a small fork or spoon.

With just five food ingredients and no baking required, these caramel apple snack cups are a simple way to put fresh fruit at the center of a fall treat.

Related: Jarcuteries

Why You’ll Love These Caramel Apple Cups

• Easy individual servings: Each guest gets a cup of apples and toppings.
• No baking required: Slice, assemble and serve.
• Fresh fruit in every cup: Crisp apples provide the base for this sweet snack.
• Made for fall gatherings: Seasonal sprinkles give the cups a festive touch.
• Simple to scale: The recipe makes 12 cups, and you can adjust the batch for your group.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Apples

Choose firm, crisp apples that hold up well when sliced. Granny Smith apples bring a tart contrast to the caramel, while Honeycrisp, Fuji or Gala offer a sweeter bite. You can also use a mixture for different flavors and colors.

Leave the peels on for extra color, then core and thinly slice the apples before assembling.

Caramel Sauce

Use a caramel sauce with a pourable consistency so you can drizzle it over the apple slices. A squeeze bottle or small spoon makes it easier to distribute the sauce among the cups.

Store-bought caramel sauce keeps assembly simple. If you’d like to make your own, try our Homemade Caramel Apple Dip. Prepare it separately, and allow extra time beyond the 15-minute assembly time.

Mini Chocolate Chips

Mini chocolate chips add little bites of chocolate throughout each serving. Their smaller size works especially well with thin apple slices.

Fall Sprinkles

Choose your favorite fall-colored sprinkles to finish the cups. Orange, yellow, red and brown make a festive combination for autumn gatherings.

Clear Snack Cups

You’ll need 12 clear snack cups, plus small forks or spoons for serving. The cups let the colorful apples and toppings show through.

How to Make Caramel Apple Cups

First, cut your apples. Wash and dry the apples. Remove the cores, then cut the apples into thin slices that will fit comfortably inside your snack cups.

Next, fill the cups. Divide the apple slices evenly among 12 clear snack cups. Arrange them loosely so there’s room for the caramel and toppings.

Then, drizzle with caramel. Spoon or drizzle the caramel sauce over the apples, dividing it among the cups. Aim to get some caramel between the slices as well as across the top.

Add the chocolate chips & sprinkles. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips over each serving. Add the fall sprinkles for a colorful finishing touch.

Finally, serve immediately. Place a small fork or spoon with each cup and serve right away for the crispest apples.

Tips for the Best Caramel Apple Snack Cups

Slice the apples close to serving time. Freshly cut apples give these cups their best appearance and crunch.

Keep the slices easy to eat. Thin slices work well, but avoid cutting them so thin that they bend under the toppings.

Use dry apples. After washing, dry the apples before slicing and assembling so excess water doesn’t collect in the cups.

Choose cups that fit the portions. Cup sizes vary. Each serving contains approximately half an apple plus toppings, so check that your cups have enough room.

Set up before you slice. Arrange the cups, open the toppings and gather the utensils first. Then you can assemble and serve without a long wait.

Serving Ideas

These individual caramel apple cups are a fun choice for:

• Fall birthday parties
• Harvest celebrations
• Thanksgiving snack tables
• Family movie nights
• An afternoon baking-free kitchen activity

For a family activity, let everyone add the chocolate chips and sprinkles to their own cup after an adult slices the apples.

Frequently Asked Questions

What apples work best for caramel apple cups?

Firm, crisp apples work best. Choose tart Granny Smith apples to balance the sweet toppings, or use Honeycrisp, Fuji or Gala for a sweeter combination.

Can I make caramel apple cups ahead of time?

These cups are best assembled shortly before serving. You can set out the cups and measure the toppings in advance, then slice the apples and put everything together when you’re ready to eat.

Can I use caramel dip instead of caramel sauce?

Caramel dip is usually thicker and may be difficult to drizzle. A pourable caramel sauce is the easiest choice for this recipe. If using a thicker product, follow its package directions for softening.

Do I need to peel the apples?

No. Leave the peels on for color and a little extra texture. Wash and dry the apples before coring and slicing.

How many servings does this recipe make?

This recipe makes 12 caramel apple cups. Each cup contains approximately half an apple, plus caramel sauce, chocolate chips and sprinkles.

More Easy Apple Treats to Try

Have extra apples on hand? Put them to delicious use with these fruit-filled recipes:

• Sheet Pan Caramel Apples: Serve apple slices and your favorite toppings on one shareable tray.
• Easy Pear & Apple Nachos: Combine two favorite fruits in a snack topped with delicious drizzles and crunchy extras.
• Thanksgiving Fruit Tray: Arrange apple slices around caramel dip to create a festive turkey for your holiday table.