No-Bake Caramel Apple Eclair Cake

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This No-Bake Caramel Apple Eclair Cake is a deliciously sweet and creamy dessert with a fantastic balance of flavors and textures. The soft graham crackers mimic the texture of eclairs, while the luscious cream cheese filling is complemented by the sweet caramel sauce and the tangy sweetness of apples. It’s quick to make, doesn’t require turning on the oven, and is perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a party, celebrating a special event, or just need a simple dessert for the family, this cake will be a hit!

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 1 box (14.4 oz) graham crackers (about 1 ½ sleeves)

• 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

• 2 cups heavy whipping cream

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Caramel Apple Topping:

• 2 medium apples, peeled and chopped (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well)

• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1 tablespoon butter

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

• ¼ cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)

For the Drizzle:

• ½ cup caramel sauce (for drizzling)

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

Prepare the Cream Cheese Layer:

1. Make the Cream Cheese Filling: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Gradually add in the powdered sugar, beating until combined. Add the vanilla extract and mix to incorporate.

2. Whip the Cream: In a separate bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream until soft peaks form. You can use an electric mixer for this step to save time.

3. Combine the Cream and Cream Cheese: Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until fully combined and smooth. Set aside.

Prepare the Caramel Apple Topping:

4. Cook the Apples: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped apples and cook for 3-4 minutes until they start to soften.

5. Add the Cinnamon and Sugar: Stir in the ground cinnamon and brown sugar. Continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes until the apples are tender and the sugar has dissolved into a syrup. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.

Assemble the Cake:

6. Layer the Graham Crackers: In a 9×13-inch baking dish, arrange a layer of graham crackers on the bottom. You may need to break some crackers to fill in the gaps.

7. Add the Cream Cheese Mixture: Spread half of the cream cheese filling over the graham crackers, smoothing it out evenly with a spatula.

8. Repeat the Layers: Place another layer of graham crackers over the cream cheese filling, followed by the remaining cream cheese mixture. Spread it evenly.

9. Top with Caramel Apples: Spoon the caramelized apples evenly over the top of the cream cheese layer. Drizzle with some caramel sauce for extra sweetness.

Chill and Serve:

10. Chill the Cake: Cover the cake with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. This allows the flavors to meld together and the graham crackers to soften.

11. Drizzle with Caramel Sauce: Before serving, drizzle additional caramel sauce over the top of the cake for an extra touch of sweetness and flavor.

12. Serve and Enjoy: Slice and enjoy the creamy, caramel apple goodness of this no-bake dessert!

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 8-10

• Prep Time: 20 minutes

• Chill Time: 4 hours (or overnight)

• Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes

Variations

• Add Nuts: For a crunchy twist, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top of the apples before adding the caramel drizzle.

• Use Different Fruits: While apples work wonderfully, you can substitute pears or even berries for a different flavor profile.

• Make it Salted Caramel: If you prefer a salted caramel version, use a pinch of sea salt on top of the caramel sauce for a sweet-salty combo.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The cake will stay fresh and creamy, but the apples may lose some of their texture.

• Freezing: This dessert is best enjoyed fresh but can be frozen for up to 1 month. If freezing, layer the cake without the caramel apples, and add the apples and caramel drizzle after it has thawed.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of cracker?

Yes! You can swap the graham crackers for vanilla wafer cookies or digestive biscuits, though graham crackers give the cake a traditional flavor.

Can I use canned caramel sauce instead of homemade?

Yes, canned or jarred caramel sauce works perfectly for this recipe. However, making homemade caramel sauce can add an extra layer of richness if desired.

How do I prevent the graham crackers from getting too soggy?

Let the cake chill for at least 4 hours, or overnight if possible. The graham crackers need time to absorb the cream cheese mixture and caramelized apples without getting overly soggy.

Can I make this dessert dairy-free?

Yes, you can use dairy-free substitutes like coconut cream for the cream cheese filling and dairy-free caramel sauce to make this dessert dairy-free.

Can I prepare this cake the night before?

Yes, in fact, this cake is best when made the night before as it allows the flavors to meld together, and the graham crackers soften perfectly.

Conclusion

No-Bake Caramel Apple Eclair Cake is a sweet, creamy, and indulgent dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. With its easy preparation, luscious layers, and combination of caramel and apples, it’s a dessert that everyone will love. Whether you’re hosting a party or simply craving something sweet, this cake is sure to satisfy your dessert cravings without the need to bake!

No-Bake Caramel Apple Eclair Cake

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• Author: Alice
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 8-10 servings
• Category: Dessert
• Method: No-Bake
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

No-Bake Caramel Apple Eclair Cake is a decadent and easy-to-make dessert that combines the flavors of sweet caramel, fresh apples, and creamy layers of eclair filling. With no baking required, this dessert is perfect for busy days or last-minute gatherings. Each bite offers a delicious balance of creamy, fruity, and caramel goodness that will have everyone coming back for more!

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Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 1 box (about 12 oz) graham crackers

• 2 cups heavy cream

• 1 package (3.4 oz) vanilla instant pudding mix

• 1 cup milk

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 ½ cups diced apples (peeled)

• ½ cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)

For the Topping:

• ½ cup caramel sauce (for drizzling)

• 1 tablespoon chopped pecans or walnuts (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

Prepare the Pudding Layer:

1. Mix the Pudding:
   In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the vanilla instant pudding mix, milk, and vanilla extract. Whisk until the pudding thickens, about 2-3 minutes.

2. Whip the Cream:
   In a separate bowl, beat the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. You can use a hand mixer or stand mixer for this step.

3. Combine the Pudding and Whipped Cream:
   Gently fold the whipped cream into the pudding mixture until well combined. This will create a creamy filling for the cake.

Assemble the Cake:

1. Layer the Graham Crackers:
   In a 9×13-inch baking dish, layer the bottom with a layer of graham crackers, slightly breaking them to fit the pan if needed.

2. Add the Cream Layer:
   Spread half of the pudding mixture over the graham cracker layer, smoothing it into an even layer.

3. Add the Apple Layer:
   Sprinkle half of the diced apples over the pudding mixture. Drizzle with ¼ cup of caramel sauce for added sweetness.

4. Repeat the Layers:
   Add another layer of graham crackers, followed by the remaining pudding mixture, then the remaining apples. Drizzle with the remaining ¼ cup of caramel sauce.

Chill and Serve:

1. Chill the Cake:
   Cover the dish with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate the cake for at least 4 hours, or overnight if possible. This helps the flavors meld and the graham crackers soften.

2. Garnish and Serve:
   Before serving, drizzle with additional caramel sauce and sprinkle with chopped pecans or walnuts, if desired.

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Notes

Apple Varieties: Use sweet apples like Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp for the best flavor and texture.Add More Toppings: For extra crunch and flavor, you can add a sprinkle of granola or crushed toffee bits on top.For a Lighter Version: You can substitute the heavy cream with whipped topping or use a sugar-free caramel sauce.