This Caramel Apple Lush Dessert is EVERYTHING! Layer upon layer of rich, creamy caramel apple goodness…this dessert is guaranteed to be a hit everywhere it goes!
I have to admit, you guys. I’m not entirely in the fall spirit. I mean…how could I be!? With temperatures in the 80’s and 90’s for the past two weeks, fall has felt like the last thing on my mind.
Other than a few leaves on the ground, we’ve literally had no signs of it. Until this morning. Fall is (finally) in the air! And suddenly, I have a taste for pumpkin spice and caramel apple EVERYTHING.
Until now, I’ve just been faking it. My Caramel Apple Coffee Cake and Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread? I wasn’t really in the fall spirit when I shared them.
But this Caramel Apple Lush Dessert is a completely different story. Because suddenly I’m thinking about grabbing a sweater and pulling out my boots and maybe, finally, putting up some fall decor.
Yes, fall is finally here. And if you’re anything like me, caramel apple and fall are like two peas in a pod. You can’t have one without the other! And this Caramel Apple Lush is one of the BEST caramel apple desserts ever.
It’s loaded with rich, creamy pudding and cheesecake and apple pie filling and caramel…all on a crunchy graham cracker crust. And the end result is nothing short of dreamy.
I’m a HUGE fan of no bake desserts, like this Pumpkin S’mores Lush and this Chocolate Cherry Lush, and if you’ve ever tried one, you know why. I have to say, this Caramel Apple dessert rivals even my favorite Cherry Cheesecake Lush. And that’s saying a lot.
Whether you’re already in the fall spirit or looking for something to help you get there, this Caramel Apple Lush is the answer. And really? It couldn’t be easier to make. It’s almost no-bake and easy to make ahead and perfect for feeding a crowd. You’re welcome.
Caramel Apple Lush Dessert
Ingredients
Crust:
- 2 c. graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 c. finely chopped peanuts
- 1/2 c. butter melted
Layer 1:
- 8 oz. cream cheese softened
- 1 1/2 c. whipped topping
- 1 c. powdered sugar
Layer 2:
- 2 small boxes cheesecake flavored pudding
- 2 1/2 c. milk
- 1/2 c. whipped topping
Layer 3:
- 1 can apple pie filling
- 1/4 c. caramel topping
Topping:
- remaining whipped topping I used a 12 oz. container for the whole recipe
- 1/3 c. chopped peanuts
- caramel topping
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, finely chopped peanuts, and melted butter.
- Press into a 9x13 inch baking pan; bake at 350° for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely.
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, powdered sugar, and 1 1/2 c. whipped topping.
- Mix until smooth; spread evenly over cooled crust. Refrigerate while you are preparing the next layer.
- Combine cheesecake pudding mix and milk. Whisk and let stand until pudding thickens. Stir in 1/2 c. whipped topping and mix until smooth.
- Spread evenly over cream cheese layer in pan.
- Top with 1 can apple pie filling and remaining whipped topping. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Before serving, sprinkle with chopped peanuts and drizzle with caramel topping.
Nutrition
This looks and sounds phenomenal! I WILL be trying it out very soon!
Has only tried this with fresh apples maybe just with a little sugar or caramel on them baked by themselves just a bit and then added to this .
I have a friend that does not eat gluten. I thought I would use crushed gluten free pretzels for the crust.
That would be perfect!
Great idea!
Lush style desserts are my total weakness and I keep straightening the rows with a fork. This is my jam right here! And with the caramel….no stopping me!
Now that is my kind of fall dessert!
One of my mom’s favorite desserts to make was a lemon lush. I haven’t had a lush in a while. Can’t wait to try this!
This Lush Dessert looks wonderful. My problem is that whipped toppings (Cool Whip etc.) make me very sick. Tears up my stomach. Wouldn’t whipped cream work as well? Adding some gelatin to stabilize the whipped cream? I really want to make this dessert!
Of course regular heavy whipping cream whipped with powdered sugar (1/3 cup to 1 cup cream plus 1 tsp. vanilla) works anywhere Cool Whip is used!
Whipped cream would absolutely work!
Lush desserts are always a hit… and I love this caramel apple version!
Lush is totally a word I’d use on this dessert! I’m loving the flavors, and all that caramel!
I can’t wait to make this! It’s still hot here as well but I don’t care. If I make it, maybe fall will come, right?!?
haha Maybe!!
The caramel. In what form do you purchase this and and where can I purchase it? My first thought was to melt melt caramel candy which would be very expensive. I am I am anxious to make this but the caramel baffles me. Please advise me on this matter. Thank you .
I used Smucker’s caramel sundae topping, refrigerated.
Evelyn, use a caramel topping, usually found by the ice cream toppings, next to hot fudge or strawberry syrups. Hope this helps!
That caramel drizzle has me wanting this so bad!
Looks wonderful! Would love to make for my Wild Wooly Women group, (we stitch with wool) but I can’t have peanuts. I have diverticulitis. Could I use cashews on top instead? They’re softer.
Cashews would work great!
yes, I bet would be delicious with cashews!
This recipe looks fantastic. I really need to try it
YUM YUM 🙂 Oo LALA
Have you ever made only half recipe? I see so many tasty recipes but my husband and I can not it a whole pan of this wonderful looking dessert. Thank you
It would definitely work to cut the ingredients in half and use an 8×8 inch pan!
I make the cakes for the office birthdays and a few employees are allergic to peanuts. Can I add more graham crackers to the crust? Would it take away from the sweet and salty flavor?
Layer 3 consists of apple pie filling AND 1/4 c. caramel topping. However, instruction #7 does not mention the caramel topping . Is it blended with the apple pie filling? Layered under/over the pie filling?
I have the caramel topping specified in step 8, to drizzle on right before serving, sorry for the confusion!
Since you had caramel topping listed in both the apple filling AND the drizzle topping I stirred it into the apples.
I don’t know where you live but I’m buying the property next door and making a walkway to your kitchen.
Made this today. In frig now! Looks great. Can’t wait to try it!
Hello! Could we use finely crushed pecans instead of peanuts? Thank you for this delightful recipe!
Yes, absolutely!
This one is now in my Recipe Box! Hubby approved.
Can you put the Carmel topping on overnight. I’m taking to party and would like to take it all done. Also can this be doubled.
It can absolutely be doubled, yes. However, I would recommend drizzling the caramel topping on just before serving so it doesn’t sink into the whipped topping.
My daughter and I made this for Thanksgiving and everyone really liked it!!! We didn’t need a whole 9×13 pan of it so we halved the recipe and made an 8×8 pan. Worked perfectly. I will definitely make this again and try it with different fruits besides apples. Thanks for a great and easy recipe.