Our delectable Caramel Apple Trifle recipe celebrates autumn’s most beloved flavor combination. Just like my Apple Cinnamon Crumble Bars, Caramel Apple Cheesecake Dip, and Spiced Apple Galette, this showstopping trifle transforms the classic flavors of apple pie into a spectacular layered dessert that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
What makes trifles truly special is their wonderful versatility—there are no strict rules to follow! You can use store-bought shortcuts or homemade components, depending on your time and preferences. Use freshly sautéed cinnamon apples or convenient canned filling, premade pound cake or your favorite family recipe—the possibilities are endless and equally delicious!
Similar to my Berry Bliss Trifle, this 15-minute caramel apple creation follows the delightful “lasagna-style” layering technique. The contrasting textures of tender cake chunks, silky pudding, fruit filling, sticky caramel, and toasty pecans create a symphony of flavors that’s as beautiful to behold as it is to devour. The clear glass trifle bowl showcases each gorgeous layer, making this dessert a true feast for both the eyes and the taste buds!
Why You’ll Love This Caramel Apple Trifle Recipe
- Quick assembly – Ready in just 15 minutes using convenient store-bought ingredients
- No baking required – Perfect for warm days or when your oven is occupied with other dishes
- Stunning presentation – Beautiful layers create an impressive dessert with minimal effort
- Make-ahead friendly – Prepare in advance for stress-free entertaining
- Crowd-pleaser – Feeds a group and always receives rave reviews
- Customizable – Easy to adapt based on preferences or pantry ingredients
Caramel Apple Trifle Ingredients
- Frozen pound cakes: I used Sara Lee brand, but any quality pound cake works beautifully.
- Whole milk: Creates the perfect pudding consistency—full-fat milk gives the richest results.
- Instant vanilla pudding mix: Jello brand is my go-to, though any instant pudding mix delivers great results.
- Apple pie filling: Great Value brand works wonderfully, but feel free to use your preferred brand or homemade filling.
- Frozen whipped topping: Thawed before using, or substitute with my Stabilized Homemade Whipped Cream recipe.
- Caramel sundae topping: Smucker’s caramel sauce is my favorite, but any quality caramel topping will shine.
- Pecans: Chopped for that perfect nutty crunch throughout the layers.
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Substitutions and Additions
- Elevate the caramel: Substitute store-bought caramel with my decadent homemade salted caramel sauce for an extra-special touch.
- Mix up the cake base: Swap pound cake with spice cake, angel food cake, or even cinnamon-swirl cake for a different flavor profile.
- Explore different nuts: Try toasted walnuts, sliced almonds, or candied pecans instead of plain chopped pecans, or omit entirely for a nut-free version.
- Play with pudding flavors: Experiment with cheesecake, white chocolate, or butterscotch pudding instead of vanilla.
- Create mini trifles: Transform this dessert into individual portions using mason jars or dessert cups—perfect for intimate gatherings or portion control!
How to Make Caramel Apple Trifle
- Prepare the cake: Slice both frozen pound cakes into bite-sized cubes, about 1-inch pieces.
- Make the pudding: In a medium bowl, pour milk and sprinkle both packages of pudding mix over the surface. Beat with a hand mixer or whisk until the pudding begins to thicken.
- Start layering: Arrange a layer of pound cake cubes on the bottom of your trifle dish, covering the entire surface.
- Continue building layers: Spread half the pudding mixture over the cake layer, followed by one can of apple pie filling, then drizzle with half the caramel sauce and sprinkle with half the chopped pecans.
- Repeat layers: Add another layer of pound cake cubes, remaining pudding, and the second can of apple pie filling.
Pro Tip: Reserve the remaining caramel sauce and chopped pecans for the final decoration before serving!
- Chill thoroughly: Cover the trifle and refrigerate for at least 3 hours to allow flavors to meld and layers to set.
- Final touches: Just before serving, top with the entire container of whipped topping, drizzle with remaining caramel sauce, and sprinkle with the rest of the pecans.
Tips For Making The Perfect Caramel Apple Trifle
- Bowl size matters: My trifle bowl is 3 quarts capacity. Depending on your bowl size, you may have extra cake cubes—perfect for snacking!
- Visible layers: Press cake pieces gently against the bowl’s sides for a beautiful presentation of distinct layers.
- Even distribution: Ensure caramel and pie filling reach all the way to the edges for maximum visual impact.
- Frozen versus room temperature: Working with frozen pound cake makes it easier to cut into clean cubes without crumbling.
- Homemade options: While this recipe focuses on convenience with store-bought ingredients, feel free to substitute any component with homemade versions for a personalized touch.
How to Store Caramel Apple Trifle
To Store: Keep leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The cake layers will soften more over time, creating an even more luscious texture!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make my own pound cake for this trifle?
Absolutely! Homemade pound cake works beautifully in this recipe. For best results, let it cool completely before cutting into cubes.
Can I prepare my trifle in advance?
Yes! Assemble the trifle up to 24 hours ahead, but wait to add the final whipped topping, caramel drizzle, and pecan garnish until just before serving for the freshest presentation.
Can I make this a caramel apple cheesecake trifle?
Definitely! Simply substitute cheesecake-flavored pudding mix for the vanilla pudding, or fold 8 ounces of softened cream cheese into the prepared vanilla pudding for a tangy twist.
Can I use homemade apple pie filling instead of canned?
Absolutely! Sauté 6-7 cups of peeled, diced apples with butter, cinnamon, sugar, and a bit of cornstarch until tender for a made-from-scratch filling that elevates this dessert even further.
If you tried this Caramel Apple Trifle Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!!!
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Caramel Apple Trifle
Description
Caramel Apple Trifle combines the perfect symphony of textures and flavors in beautiful layers displayed in a glass bowl. Packed with autumn’s best flavors, this dessert is perfect for entertaining and feeding a crowd!
Ingredients
- 2 (10.75-ounce or 304-gram) frozen classic pound cakes
- 4 cups cold whole milk
- 2 boxes (3.4-ounce or 96-gram) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 cans (21-ounce or 595-gram) apple pie filling
- 1 container (8-ounce or 226-gram) thawed whipped topping
- 1 jar (12.25-ounce or 347-gram) caramel sundae topping
- 1 cup chopped pecans, divided in half
Instructions
- Slice both frozen pound cakes into bite-size cubes. (You may end up with some extra cubes, depending on the size of your trifle bowl.)
- Add the cold milk to a medium-sized mixing bowl. Sprinkle both packages of instant pudding mix over the milk. Use a handheld mixer on medium-low speed or a whisk, and beat the milk and pudding mix together until the pudding begins to thicken.
- Line the bottom of a trifle bowl with a layer of the cubed pound cake (My trifle bowl was 3 quarts).
- Spread ½ of the pudding mix over the bottom layer of pound cake.
- Spoon 1 of the cans of apple pie filling over the pudding layer.
- Evenly drizzle ½ of the caramel sundae topping over the apple pie filling.
- Sprinkle ½ cup of the chopped pecans over the caramel layer. Repeat the pound cake, pudding, and apple pie filling layers. Do not add the remaining caramel and chopped pecans just yet. Cover the trifle and chill for 3 hours.
- Just before serving, spoon the entire container of thawed whipped topping on top of the apple pie filling. Drizzle with the remaining caramel topping and sprinkle the remaining chopped pecans.
Notes
- My trifle bowl was 3 quarts. You may end up with extra cake cubes, depending on the size of your trifle bowl.
- For convenience, I used store-bought ingredients, but feel free to make homemade components if preferred.
- For the prettiest presentation, be sure to press some cake pieces against the side of the glass bowl so they’re visible.
- The trifle gets even better after sitting overnight as the flavors meld!
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Chill Time: 3 hours | Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes