If you haven't quite figured out what you want to make for dessert yet or maybe you've been scouring Pinterest for something super simple but with some "wow" factor…stop looking. This is it.
I'm back with another "deconstructed" dessert idea that's soooo easy it just might be illegal.
Okay, I'm exaggerating but you may want to keep the easy part a secret for a few days to allow your guests to continue to rave about how awesome you are for slaving in the kitchen during the busy holidays just to make these special treats for them. (Ha!)
I've definitely been on a "no-bake" kick lately - looking for easy alternatives that are high on taste and low on time in the kitchen. You KNOW I love being in the kitchen and I prefer "from-scratch" any day over items that are store bought. Let's be realistic though. There are certain instances when from-scratch just isn't going to happen so instead of letting that push me to buy a box of cookies or a boring store-bought pie, I've found it equally satisfying to find ways to create things that are half-way homemade. You know what I mean…buying store-bought items and throwing them together to make them LOOK and almost TASTE homemade. It's a great way to still feed that creative urge I have for whipping up special treats (and making them look pretty). It also allows me to feel like I still had SOME sort of input on the overall taste of the dessert. Maybe it's just a way to get rid of the guilt for not having time to do homemade? Regardless, I'm loving the turnout! (and so is my family). *wink* Here's all you need for making these darling Salted Caramel Mini Apple Pies...
INGREDIENTS (for 8-10 Mini Salted Caramel Apple Pies)
1 Package Pecan Sandies cookies, crushed - for crust and layering
1 - 15oz. jar of Cinnamon Apples
12 oz. frozen whipped topping - for topping
1 - Chopped pecans, toasted - for garnish
1 - 12oz. Jar Hot Caramel - for layering and drizzling
Fleur de sel - or coarse sea salt for sprinkling (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
Place approximately one heaping TBSP. of crushed cookies into your mini cups or dessert bowls. Drizzle on some caramel. (just because I like a little caramel surprise at the top AND bottom of my dessert). Top with about 1 TBSP. of cinnamon apples. Cover the apples with a thin layer of crushed cookies. Add a dollop of whipped cream. Sprinkle with pecans and drizzle on the caramel. Sprinkle on a small bit of fleur de del (or coarse sea salt) to add a salty vs. sweet component to your dessert.
Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
TIPS/IDEAS
Hot Apple Pie - warm the Cinnamon Apples in the oven for 10-15 at 350ยบ before assembling.
Pipe on the whipped topping instead of spooning it on for a more "refined" finish. Ziploc bag with the end snipped off works just fine.
Warm the Hot Caramel prior to drizzling for a thinner garnish. I put mine in a plastic bottle with a fine screw-on tip to make drizzling easier. Another ziploc bag with a tiny corner snipped off would work just as well.
TAKE THINGS TO THE NEXT LEVEL
If you are up for it and have the time, you can absolutely recreate a completely homemade version of these Mini Salted Caramel Apple Pies by baking your own batch of pecan sandies, cooking up your own cinnamon apples, whipping up your own "cool whip" and making a batch of homemade caramel. I can only imagine how much more yummy these would be!! If I had the time - I'd go for it!
Source: Super Easy No-Bake Salted Caramel Mini Apple Pies