Caramel Apple Dessert Cups from the Pot

Caramel Apple Dessert Cups are a copycat of the Zupas favorite, made with crisp apples, creamy golden chocolate, crunchy coconut, and a touch of cinnamon.

Author’s Notes

The Dessert Cup Everyone’s Talking About!

I don’t know about you, but nothing says fall dessert quite like caramel apples! A couple of years ago, I shared my caramel apple bar and more recently, I’ve had fun with caramel apple bark and caramel apple bites.

And today, I’m excited to share my copycat of Zupas caramel apple dessert cups. These new menu items have created quite the buzz all over social media, and for good reason! They’re stacked with fresh apples, a rich milk chocolate drizzle or golden-spice drizzle, and topped with coconut and cinnamon.

I decided to make my own, and honestly, these are INCREDIBLY GOOD! I can’t wait for you to try them and let me know which one you like best: gold chocolate or milk chocolate.

The Two Caramel Apple Dessert Cup Flavors

Zupas released 2 flavors; here’s what we’ve got:

1. Chocolate Duo Apple Cup: Crisp Gala apples cut fresh, covered in smooth gold and milk chocolate, and finished with a sweet coconut crunch.
2. Golden Spice Apple Cup: Fresh Gala apples layered with silky gold chocolate, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and plenty of crunchy coconut on top.

So…What Is Gold Chocolate?

Gold chocolate is caramelized white chocolate with a golden color and rich flavors of caramel, toffee, and butter.

It’s also pretty pricey to buy, so I made a simplified version. Instead of slowly caramelizing white chocolate, I combine white chocolate, soft caramels, and heavy cream.

The sauce has a similar flavor with hardly any effort, and it won’t seize when added to apples like plain melted white chocolate can.

How To Keep Apples From Browning

No one wants brown apple slices in Caramel Apple Dessert Cups. I’ve tried what feels like every method, and the absolute winner is popping those apples in salted water.

And don’t worry, the apples won’t taste salty.

Here’s what to do:

1. Mix: Stir 1/2 teaspoon salt into 1 cup cold water.
2. Soak: Add apple slices and let them sit for 5–10 minutes.
3. Rinse: Drain and rinse well.
4. Dry: Place slices on a paper towel and pat until completely dry.

The apples stay fresh and crisp for hours, even overnight in the fridge.

Caramel Apple Dessert Cups Toppings

The dessert cups are finished with coconut crunch, and it might just be a reliable part!

Coconut crunch is so simple to make. Spread sweetened coconut flakes on a pan, toss with a little sugar, and bake until the edges turn golden, stirring every 5 minutes. Let it cool, and it will crisp up as it hardens.

Snack on a few handfuls (it’s that good!) and then crumble the rest over the apples. If you love cinnamon, add a light sprinkle on top.

More Apple Treats To Love:

Desserts

Apple Cheesecake Bars

Desserts

Apple Dump Cake Recipe

Desserts

Apple Cobbler Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 Gala apples (cored and thinly sliced, see note 1)
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips (see note 2)
• 6 soft Werther’s caramels (fresh and soft)
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• Pinch of salt
• 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
• 10 soft Werther’s caramels (fresh and soft)
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• Pinch of salt
• 1 cup sweetened coconut flakes
• 1 teaspoon light brown sugar
• Coconut crunch
• Ground cinnamon

Method

1. Apples: In a large bowl, stir 1-1/2 teaspoons salt into 3 cups room-temperature water. Soak sliced apples in the salted water for 5–10 minutes. Drain in a colander, rinse under cold water, and shake off excess. Pat completely dry so the sauces stick.
2. Coconut Crunch: Heat oven to 325°F. Spread coconut on a baking sheet in a thin layer and toss with brown sugar. Bake for 10–15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, and watch closely near the end until the edges turn golden brown. Let cool completely (it will crisp as it cools). Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
3. Golden Spice Chocolate: Add white chocolate chips, unwrapped caramels, and salt to a microwave-safe bowl. Heat heavy cream in a glass measuring cup until very hot, about 50 seconds. Pour cream over chocolate and caramel, then cover with a plate for 5 minutes. Stir until smooth. If needed, microwave in 15-second bursts, stirring between each, until fully melted and smooth. Do not overheat.
4. Assemble the Golden Spice Cups: Divide apple slices among clear cups. Spoon or drizzle golden spice chocolate over apples. Top with coconut crunch and a light sprinkle of cinnamon. serve while it is hot.
5. Make the Chocolate Duo Cups: Repeat the same process as above, using milk chocolate chips, caramels, cream, and salt. Stir until smooth. Add apple slices to cups, drizzle with the chocolate duo sauce, and finish with coconut crunch.
6. Serve for a Party: To make this caramel apple bar-style, fill a 6-quart slow cooker halfway with water and set to high. Place the prepared sauces in wide-mouth mason jars and set them in the water, making sure no water gets inside the jars. Keep the sauces warm, stirring occasionally and adding more water to the slow cooker as needed (don't add slow cooker lid). Serve the sliced apples on the side.