Amazing 20-min caramel apple trifle joy

Oh my goodness, if you’re anything like me, the minute the air gets that telltale crispness, my brain switches straight into “Fall Dessert Mode.” But let’s be real—holiday baking can be stressful! That’s why I am practically bursting to share this recipe for an Easy No-Bake Caramel Apple Cheesecake Trifle with you. Seriously, this stunning, showstopping caramel apple trifle comes together in about 20 minutes because we skip the oven entirely! After years of needing stress-free but impressive options for my family gatherings, this recipe has become my absolute go-to. It gives you all those cozy apple flavors without keeping you tied to the kitchen all day. If you love my Cinnamon Swirl Apple Bread, wait until you try this version! Trust me, you need this in your autumn rotation!

Why This No-Bake Caramel Apple Trifle is Your New Favorite Fall Dessert

When it comes to fall feasts, you want something that looks like you spent all day fussing over it, but secretly, you didn’t! That’s the beauty of an effort-free no bake dessert like this. It’s truly a peek behind the curtain at my trick for surviving holiday entertaining. If you loved my Easy Dirt Cake, this is the same easy assembly style!

• It’s the ultimate showstopping layered dessert. Seeing those stripes of cream and caramel in a big glass bowl always gets gasps—in a good way!
• It completely eliminates oven stress, which is huge when you’re cooking the turkey or roasting veggies.
• It tastes better the longer it chills, making it the ultimate, low-stress, make ahead holiday dessert.

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Quick Assembly for the Perfect Caramel Apple Trifle

I’m not kidding when I say this takes about 20 minutes of active work. You are just mixing pre-made components together. This is the definition of an easy trifle recipe. While the apples stay raw for maximum crunch against the cream, that’s why we call it no-bake! It’s honestly faster than making a standard pie.

Creamy Textures in Every Layer of the Caramel Apple Trifle

This recipe skips the usual custard and goes straight for decadence. We use a combination of cream cheese mixture and instant pudding, folded with whipped topping. This duo makes for such a luxurious, creamy apple dessert. That fluffiness cuts through the sweetness of the caramel perfectly, giving you a bite that is smooth rather than heavy. It’s just divine!

Gathering Ingredients for Your Caramel Apple Trifle Recipe

Okay, gather ’round because seeing all these colorful components laid out on the counter is half the fun! Since this caramel apple trifle recipe is assembled cold, we aren’t fussing with baking times—just chopping and mixing. I’ve listed everything we need below. Remember, the better quality of your caramel, the better your final dessert will be, so don’t skimp there!

Here’s what you need to pull together this magic:

• One 8-ounce package of cream cheese, and please make sure it’s totally softened, not stiff!
• One cup of powdered sugar.
• One teaspoon of vanilla extract.
• One 8-ounce container of frozen whipped topping, thawed completely.
• One 3.4-ounce package of instant vanilla pudding mix.
• One cup of cold milk (whole milk works best for richness here).
• Four cups of cubed pound cake or angel food cake—texture is key!
• Four medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced.
• One tablespoon of lemon juice.
• One teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
• One quarter teaspoon of ground nutmeg.
• One cup of caramel sauce, plus extra for that final drizzle.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Caramel Apple Trifle

Let’s talk strategy for a minute! When creating these beautiful cheesecake trifle layers, you have a few choices you can make. If you don’t have pound cake, I sometimes use graham cracker crumbs mixed with a bit of melted butter, just like I mentioned in my notes; it gives a lovely structural crunch!

Also, for the apples, I swear by Honeycrisp or Granny Smith—they hold their shape beautifully and don’t turn mushy. If you want a super decadent cream base, feel free to use a banana cream cheesecake recipe from my archives instead of the vanilla pudding mix if you’re feeling ambitious!

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make the Caramel Apple Trifle

Now for the part where we actually build this masterpiece! Since this is a caramel apple dessert for a crowd, assembly is everything. We want clean lines and distinct layers, not a muddy mess, right? Don’t worry, this is just as fun as it is easy. Remember that how to make a trifle guide I put together? This is the perfect place to use those tips!

Preparing the Spiced Apples for the Caramel Apple Trifle

First things first, we need to season those apples! You’re going to grab a medium bowl and toss your apple slices with the lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg. I always use a mix of Honeycrisp and Fuji apples; they stay firm and don’t completely disintegrate during chilling. The lemon juice is essential—it keeps those pretty white slices from turning brown while you mix the creams.

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Creating the Creamy Cheesecake and Pudding Layers

Next up is the filling, and this is where the magic happens. For the cheesecake layer, you’ll beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until it’s totally silky smooth. Then, take half of your thawed whipped topping and *gently* fold it in. I mean gently! We are incorporating air here, not beating it into submission. If you overmix, you lose the fluffiness, and that ruins the lovely texture!

Do the same thing for the pudding layer: whisk the instant pudding with cold milk until thick, then fold in the other half of that whipped topping. Stop when it just comes together. We want light, airy layers!

Layering for a Showstopping Caramel Apple Trifle Presentation

Get your big glass bowl ready—that clear glass is why we do this! Start with a solid base layer of your cubed cake. Top that with half of your spiced apples. Now, drizzle generously with half of that beautiful caramel sauce. See those ribbons? That’s what we’re aiming for!

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Next, spread half of that cheesecake mixture right over the apples. Then top that with half of your pudding mixture. Repeat everything: remaining cake, remaining apples, remaining caramel! Finish by spreading the rest of the cheesecake and then the last of the pudding mixture on top. Cover it up tight and let it chill for at least two hours. That chilling time is how you get that perfect, refreshing fall layered dessert.

Tips for the Best Caramel Apple Trifle Success

I’ve learned a few things over the chaotic holiday seasons trying to get this perfect, so I want to pass them along so you don’t have to stress! Achieving that *best apple trifle* experience is all about controlling the moisture in those cake layers.

First, if you’re making this way ahead of time—like a true make ahead holiday dessert warrior—I strongly suggest spooning the caramel *over* the cake layer rather than mixing it with the apples initially. This way, the cake soaks up the flavor without getting totally saturated too early.

Also, regarding texture—if you want something really fun, go ahead and skip the cake entirely and use crushed graham crackers mixed with melted butter, just like I mentioned in the ingredient notes! That little swap adds a nice, buttery crunch that pairs so well with the creamy filling. And if you’re feeling inspired by other recipes, check out my Sour Cream Coffee Cake recipe for future baking adventures; it just proves that a little acid keeps things incredibly tender!

Serving Suggestions for Your Caramel Apple Trifle

Since this caramel apple dessert is so rich and creamy, figuring out what to serve *with* it is almost as important as making it! You want something that complements that sweetness without weighing everyone down further after the main meal.

If this is the grand finale of your Thanksgiving trifle spread, I always serve it alongside a super strong, hot coffee. The bitterness of the coffee cuts right through the richness of the cheesecake filling and the caramel drizzle beautifully. If you aren’t really a coffee person, a strong black tea works wonders too.

For a daytime event, a light prosecco or sparkling cider is perfect for sipping between bites. You can always find great ideas for pairing savory dishes too—check out my thoughts on homemade white pizza if you need a great main course to serve earlier in the day!

Storage and Reheating Instructions for Leftover Caramel Apple Trifle

The biggest drama with any trifle, especially mine, is keeping those cake pieces from turning into total mush! Since this is such a fantastic make ahead holiday dessert, storage is super important if you want leftovers the next day. You absolutely must keep it covered tightly in the refrigerator. It stays good for about three days, tops.

Don’t even think about reheating this, folks! It’s designed to be served chilled, and warming it up will melt all those gorgeous creamy layers into soup. If you want to refresh the top, just add a fresh drizzle of caramel sauce right before serving seconds. For tips on storing other beloved leftovers, take a peek at how I handle my Mashed Potato Cakes!

Frequently Asked Questions About the Caramel Apple Trifle Recipe

Can I substitute the cake layer in this easy trifle recipe?

Oh, absolutely! While pound cake gives that lovely dense structure, sometimes you just don’t have it on hand. If you want a wonderful textural change for this Thanksgiving trifle, try crushing graham crackers and mixing them with about two tablespoons of melted butter. Press that mixture into the bottom layer. It provides a hint of crunchiness that is just fantastic against the soft cream!

Can I make the Caramel Apple Trifle ahead of time?

Yes, and you absolutely should! This is one of my top secrets for being relaxed during parties. You can assemble the entire caramel apple trifle the day before you serve it. In fact, it tastes even better after about 6-8 hours in the fridge—it lets the caramel and spice soak into the cake just a little bit. Just keep it covered tightly so it doesn’t soak up any strange fridge smells. For other great make-ahead ideas, you should see how I put together my Chicken Salad Grape Salad!

What are the best apples to use for this dessert for a crowd?

You want firm apples that won’t turn soupy when chilled! I love using Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apples because they keep their shape nicely. If you want to make this an even more exciting easy party dessert, you can quickly sauté your spiced apple mixture in a tablespoon of butter for maybe five minutes before cooling. It deepens the flavor profile wonderfully!

Why do I need two separate creamy layers (cheesecake and pudding)?

That’s what separates this from your average pudding layered dessert! Using both layers gives you complexity in texture. The cheesecake layer is rich, tangy, and thick, while the pudding layer folded with whipped topping is lighter and airier. Together, they create that ideal mouthfeel that makes people dive back into that glass bowl for seconds. It’s all about balance!

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Estimated Nutrition for This Delicious Layered Dessert

Now, I’m certainly not a nutritionist, and these numbers are just based on the ingredients listed above—they’re estimates for reference only, okay? But for planning purposes, I wanted to give you a snapshot of what’s in a generous serving of this delicious layered dessert.

• Calories: Approximately 410
• Fat: About 19g
• Carbohydrates: Around 58g
• Protein: Roughly 6g

Because we are using cream cheese, powdered sugar, and that lovely caramel sauce, it is definitely a treat! It’s worth every single bite, especially when you are serving it at a big fall gathering.

Share Your Caramel Apple Trifle Creations!

Well, that’s it! We’ve assembled the most beautiful, no-fuss caramel apple trifle recipe there is. Now comes the fun part: seeing what you do with it!

I truly hope this recipe takes some of the stress out of your next gathering, whether it’s a casual Sunday dinner or the big show on Thanksgiving. When you make this dessert, I’d absolutely love to hear about it. Did those layers look as gorgeous in your clear bowl as mine?

Please head down to the comments section below and leave me a star rating and a little note about how it turned out. Hearing from you keeps me inspired to keep testing and sharing those simple, joyful recipes!

And hey, if you snap a picture of your finished work, tag me on social media! I love seeing my recipes travel out into the world. If you want to see more speedy, crowd-pleasing recipes, you can always check out my main blog page. Happy baking—or, well, assembling!

If you served this beauty up, don’t forget to share a quick review over at Tasting This Plate too!

Easy No-Bake Caramel Apple Cheesecake Trifle

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Assemble this stunning, showstopping Caramel Apple Cheesecake Trifle in minutes. This no-bake dessert layers creamy cheesecake filling, soft cake pieces, cinnamon-spiced apples, and rich caramel sauce for a perfect fall gathering treat.

• Author: Carla Davis
• Prep Time: 20 min
• Cook Time: 0 min
• Total Time: 2 hr 20 min
• Yield: 10 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: No-Bake Assembly
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
• 1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1 cup cold milk
• 4 cups cubed pound cake or angel food cake
• 4 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 cup caramel sauce, plus extra for drizzling

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Instructions

1. Prepare the apples: In a medium bowl, toss the apple slices with lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
2. Make the cheesecake layer: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Gently fold in half of the thawed whipped topping until just combined.
3. Make the pudding layer: In a separate bowl, whisk the instant vanilla pudding mix with the cold milk until thickened, about 2 minutes. Gently fold in the remaining half of the whipped topping.
4. Assemble the trifle: Use a large glass trifle bowl for the best visual effect. Start with a layer of cubed cake on the bottom.
5. Layer the components: Top the cake with half of the spiced apple mixture. Drizzle generously with half of the caramel sauce.
6. Add the creamy layers: Spread half of the cheesecake mixture evenly over the apples, followed by half of the pudding mixture.
7. Repeat the layers: Add the remaining cake cubes, followed by the rest of the apples, and the remaining caramel sauce. Top with the remaining cheesecake mixture and then the remaining pudding mixture.
8. Chill: Cover the trifle and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 24 hours, to allow the flavors to meld.
9. Serve: Before serving, drizzle the top with extra caramel sauce for presentation.

Notes

• This is a great make ahead holiday dessert; assemble it the day before serving for easier entertaining.
• For extra texture, substitute half of the pound cake with graham cracker crumbs mixed with 2 tablespoons of melted butter.
• If you want a richer apple flavor, gently sauté the spiced apples in 1 tablespoon of butter for 5 minutes before cooling and layering.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cup
• Calories: 410
• Sugar: 45g
• Sodium: 250mg
• Fat: 19g
• Saturated Fat: 11g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 58g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 45mg