Description
Caramel apple eclair cake brings French pastry elegance to classic American dessert traditions. Layers of creamy custard, crisp apples, and rich caramel create a delightful experience you’ll savor with each indulgent bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 5 pounds Granny Smith apples
- 16 ounces caramel apple dip
- 21 whole cinnamon graham crackers
Filling Ingredients:
- 3 1/2 cups whole milk
- 2 boxes (3.4 ounces each) vanilla instant pudding
- 8 ounces Cool Whip (thawed)
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Seasoning and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 12 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Craft a delectable caramel apple mixture by gently simmering diced apples with sugar and cinnamon over medium-low heat until tender. If excess liquid emerges, dust with flour to create a thick, luscious compote. Allow the mixture to cool completely at room temperature.
- Whisk vanilla pudding mix with whole milk until silky smooth. Fold in sour cream and Cool Whip, creating a creamy, luxurious filling that will bind the dessert’s layers.
- Construct the cake’s foundation by carefully laying cinnamon graham crackers across the bottom of a 9×13 inch pan. Distribute half the apple mixture evenly, followed by a generous layer of pudding mixture.
- Create subsequent layers by adding another graham cracker sheet, then remaining apple compote and pudding filling. Crown the dessert with a final graham cracker layer.
- Gently warm caramel apple dip in the microwave for 30-45 seconds, stirring midway to ensure uniform consistency. The caramel should be spreadable but not completely liquid.
- Drizzle and spread the softened caramel across the top layer, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Refrigerate the assembled dessert for a minimum of 8 hours, allowing flavors to harmonize and layers to set into a decadent, cohesive treat.
Notes
- Prevent Watery Apples by gently cooking them and using flour to thicken the sauce, ensuring a rich, concentrated apple filling without excess liquid.
- Customize Texture by adjusting graham cracker layers, using different spices like nutmeg or cardamom for enhanced flavor complexity.
- Make Gluten-Free by substituting graham crackers with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour crackers or gluten-free graham-style cookies.
- Create Lighter Version by using low-fat milk, sugar-free pudding mix, and reduced-fat whipped topping to decrease overall calorie content.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 311
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg