Caramel Apple Trifle Parfaits
Caramel Apple Trifles with Holiday Granola
How to Make Apple Trifles with Date Caramel, Whipped Cream & Granola
These lovely, layered caramel apple trifles feature cooked cinnamon apples, maple pecan granola, spiced whipped cream, and a homemade date caramel! Technically, they’re more like caramel apple parfaits since trifles are traditionally made with cake—but call them whatever you like. Sweet, crunchy, comforting, and full of festive holiday flavors!
Personally, I think these caramel apple trifle desserts are like a blend between a parfait, apple pie, and a sundae. The cooked cinnamon apples taste like a sweet apple pie filling, while the granola reminds me of a yogurt parfait. But, instead of yogurt, they’re layered with spiced whipped cream and date caramel—like a luscious ice cream sundae!
You can make these caramel apple parfaits as simple or elaborate as you’d like. For the simplest route: cook your apple filling and layer it into dishes with store-bought granola, whipped cream, and caramel sauce. Or, go full DIY and whip up my homemade maple pecan granola, spiced whipped cream, and date caramel sauce!
What makes a trifle a trifle?
Traditionally, an English trifle consists of a sponge cake soaked in brandy, sherry, or white wine, that’s layered with custard, fruit or jam, and whipped cream on top. Not all trifles need to include alcohol, but the distinguishing feature is the cake layered with additional ingredients. However, in this caramel apple trifle recipe, I’ve replaced the cake with holiday granola instead!
How is a trifle different from a parfait?
A traditional French parfait is a custard-like puree, but the American version of a parfait involves layers of yogurt, granola, nuts, and fruit. A trifle involves cake, custard, and fruit—but not granola or yogurt. That’s why this is more like a caramel apple parfait / trifle recipe, made with cooked apples, granola, whipped cream, and date caramel sauce!
What do you put a trifle in?
Classically, an English trifle is built in a large glass bowl that shows off the layers. For this caramel apple trifle recipe, I recommend using smaller clear bowls for individual portions. But the specific shape is up to you! I love the shape of these adorable little trifle glasses, but you could also use taller, more cylindrical glasses for a more dramatic layered effect.
How to Make Caramel Apple Trifle Parfaits
- Cook Apple Cinnamon Filling. Macerate chopped apples with other filling ingredients for 10 minutes, then cook over medium-high heat for 10-15 minutes.
- Make Caramel Date Sauce. Soak dates in hot water for 1 hour. Drain, then blend with additional caramel sauce ingredients for 3-4 minutes, until smooth. (Or, skip this step and use store-bought caramel sauce.)
- Prep Whipped Cream: If desired, prep spiced whipped cream by combining heavy whipping cream and spices and then whipping for about 5 minutes, until stiff peaks form. (Or, skip this step and use store-bought whipped cream.)
- Assemble Trifles: In desired serving glasses, layer in apple cinnamon filling, maple pecan granola (or granola of choice), whipped cream, and date caramel sauce. Repeat until caramel apple parfaits are assembled, finishing with a dollop of whipped cream and drizzle of caramel on top!
Can you make a trifle the day before?
With a classic English trifle, yes, you can make it a day ahead of time, and this can actually improve the flavors. However, for this caramel apple trifle recipe, I recommend assembling them not too long before you plan to serve them. Once assembled, they’ll last for a few hours stored in the fridge before they start to get soggy and less tasty.
Download this and loads of other festive recipes in my FREE 12 Days of Dried Fruit Holiday eBook!
To see how I make these caramel apple parfaits, watch my Easy Holiday Desserts video!
Caramel Apple Trifle Parfaits
Ingredients
Apple Cinnamon Filling
- 3 granny smith or honeycrisp apples, peeled and diced (~4 cups)
- ⅓ cup (2oz) Sunsweet® Amaz!n Prunes™, chopped
- ½ lemon, juiced
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- pinch of nutmeg
- pinch of salt
- 3 Tbsp brown sugar or coconut sugar
- water, if needed
Caramel Date Sauce
- 1½ cups (8oz) Sunsweet® Pitted Dates
- ¾ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup almond milk, warmed
Additional Assembly Ingredients
- 1½ cups maple pecan granola, or granola of choice
- 1½ cups holiday spiced whipped cream, or plain
Assembly, Per Trifle (yields 6)
- ⅔ cup apple cinnamon filling
- ¼ cup granola of choice
- 3-4 Tbsp whipped cream
- 1-2 Tbsp date caramel sauce
Instructions
Apple Cinnamon Filling
- Add chopped apples, prunes, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar, and salt to a saucepan with the heat off. Toss to coat. Allow to macerate for 10 minutes before cooking.
- Cook over medium-high heat for 10-15 minutes, until softened. Add water if liquid cooks off too quickly.
- Allow to cool for 10 minutes before assembling.
Caramel Date Sauce
- Add dates to a bowl and cover with hot water. Soak for 1 hour.
- Strain dates and combine everything in a food processor. Blend until smooth, about 3-4 minutes. Add additional milk as needed to smooth out the mixture.
- Drizzle onto trifles fresh, or store in an airtight container in the fridge for later.
Assemble Trifles
- In desired trifle glasses or bowls, layer in apple cinnamon filling, granola, whipped cream, and a drizzle of caramel date sauce. Repeat layers until bowls are filled.
- Finish with a dollop of whipped cream on top and a final drizzle of date caramel.
- Serve immediately or store in the fridge until the time of serving (will last a few hours).
- Yields 6 trifles, depending on size of serving dishes.
