Apple Pie Cheesecake Trifles are my go to dessert when I want something quick, cozy, and seriously impressive without babysitting an oven. Maybe you have a craving for fall flavors but not the patience for a full pie. Or you need a dessert that can travel to a party and still look cute. These little jars deliver creamy cheesecake layers, soft cinnamon apples, and a sweet crunch that hits every note. They taste like a hug in dessert form, and you can make them ahead.
The Story Behind This Recipe
I’ve spent years testing recipes for Midd Leeast Sector, and this Apple Pie Cheesecake Trifles is a keeper: big on flavor with no weird tricks. Apple Pie Cheesecake Trifles are my go to dessert when I want something quick, cozy, and seriously impressive without babysitting an oven. Maybe you have a…
No Bake Caramel Apple Cheesecake Trifle
Let’s start with the version that wins every potluck. A no bake caramel apple cheesecake trifle is the dessert that gets people asking for the recipe before they finish the first spoonful. It’s playful, layered, and easy to scale up for a crowd. I keep this one on repeat during apple season, but honestly, it works all year.
What You Will Need
- Apples: 3 to 4 medium crisp apples, peeled and diced. Honeycrisp or Granny Smith are great.
- Butter and cinnamon: For buttery, warm spiced apples.
- Brown sugar: Just enough to make the apples jammy.
- Cream cheese: Room temperature so it blends smooth.
- Powdered sugar and vanilla: For a lightly sweet cheesecake cream.
- Whipped cream: Use homemade or store bought, keep it cold.
- Cookie or cake layer: Crushed graham crackers, vanilla cookies, or pound cake cubes.
- Caramel sauce: The finishing drizzle that makes everyone smile.
- Pinch of salt: It wakes up the caramel and the apples.
Directions
- Cook the apples: Melt butter in a skillet, add apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a tiny pinch of salt. Cook 6 to 8 minutes until juicy and soft, not mushy. Cool completely.
- Make the cheesecake layer: Beat cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth. Fold in whipped cream gently so it stays fluffy.
- Prep your crunch: Crush cookies or cube cake. If using grahams, add a little melted butter to help them hold up.
- Layer: Crunch, cheesecake cream, apples, caramel. Repeat to fill your cups or a big bowl.
- Chill: Pop in the fridge for 30 to 60 minutes so the flavors settle and the layers set a bit.
Helpful note: If you want the crunch to stay very crisp, layer right before serving. For softer, pudding like layers, assemble a few hours ahead. Both ways are delicious.
Why I love it: It feels fancy, but it’s forgiving. Swap in jarred apple pie filling if you’re short on time. Use store bought caramel. Nobody will complain. And if you’re building this for a holiday buffet, double the batch and make it in a clear trifle dish for a dramatic look.
Oh, and count this as mention number two of the hero recipe: Apple Pie Cheesecake Trifles are a legit lifesaver when you need a dessert that just works.
Apple Pie Cheesecake Parfaits
Parfaits are just the petite, on the go version of the trifle. Same flavors, but in jars or cups that tuck neatly into a picnic basket or lunchbox. Kids love them. Adults call dibs. You can even build a tiny parfait bar for a party and let everyone layer their own.
Make Ahead Tips
For on the go jars, I like half pint mason jars. Spoon in cookie crumbs, top with cheesecake cream, add apples, then a light swirl of caramel. Seal and refrigerate. If you want to keep the crunchy bits extra crisp, pack them in a small bag and sprinkle right before eating.
Want to riff on fruit flavors? My blueberry season go to is this creamy beauty: blueberry cheesecake parfait. It’s the same concept, different mood, and just as easy to assemble in jars.
Texture tip: Use a mix of small and larger crumbs for the best crunch. And for the apples, stop cooking when they’re just tender. If they go too soft, you’ll lose that nice bite.
If you’re bringing parfaits to a park or a game night, stash the caramel in a small squeeze bottle and add it when you serve. It looks prettier and tastes fresher.
And because the main star deserves another shout, Apple Pie Cheesecake Trifles layered as parfaits are perfect for gift giving. Tie a little spoon on the jar with kitchen twine and you’ve got a sweet surprise that feels homemade and thoughtful.
More Desserts
Once you start layering no bake desserts, it’s hard to stop. If you love bakery flavor with minimal effort, try these reader favorites next:
For a fast apple fix, this 10 minute pastry is incredible with coffee: 3 ingredient apple danish. If you’re in a chocolate mood, this showstopper is rich and silky: chocolate fudge truffle cheesecake. And for an easy fruity blend that feels like a picnic in a bowl, check out easy cheesecake fruit salad. I also love crispy, creamy desserts you can eat with your fingers, like these fun air fryer cherry cheesecake egg rolls.
Keep these links handy for your next dessert night or a bake sale. They’re reliable, simple, and taste like you spent way more time in the kitchen than you did.
Reader Interactions
I genuinely love hearing what you do with this recipe. One of my favorite parts of blogging is seeing how you all tweak and serve these little jars at your own tables. Send me your swaps, successes, and ideas. Did you add a splash of bourbon to the apples? Cinnamon sugar on top? A crunchy granola layer for breakfast vibes? Tell me everything.
We made these for a fall potluck and they disappeared in minutes. The layers held up perfectly in mason jars and the caramel drizzle made them look so fancy. Zero leftovers, which is the best review. Jenna R.
Quick housekeeping note: if you post your parfaits on social, tag me so I can feature them. And if you have a question about substitutions, drop it in the comments. I respond as quickly as possible and keep notes so I can update this post with the most helpful tips.
Dessert Variations
One reason I keep coming back to Apple Pie Cheesecake Trifles is how easy they are to customize. Swap fruit, change the crumb, play with toppings, and suddenly it feels brand new. Here are simple riffs that stay true to the spirit of the original while giving you a fresh flavor profile.
Simple Swaps I Love
- Spiced apples and gingersnaps: Cozy and bold, great for winter parties.
- Salted caramel and pretzel crumbs: Sweet and salty crunch that people go wild for.
- Vanilla wafer crumbs and cinnamon apples: Classic family friendly flavor.
- Brown sugar whipped cream: Fold a tablespoon of brown sugar into your whipped cream for a toasty note.
- Yogurt cheesecake base: Swap half the cream cheese for thick vanilla Greek yogurt for a lighter profile.
If you want a tropical vacation in a bite, try adding toasted coconut and a few pineapple tidbits between layers. For a fresh crowd pleaser that still brings cheesecake flavor, you’ll love this bright bowl: easy cheesecake fruit salad. And yes, you can totally build that into little jars too.
Pro tip: Keep your layers visible. Clear glasses make everything look fancier with almost no effort. Finish with a zigzag of caramel and a tiny pinch of flaky salt for the bakery look at home.
Another reminder for the fans in the back: Apple Pie Cheesecake Trifles play well with both crunchy and soft layers. If you’re serving them same day, go heavy on the crisp crumbs. If you’re chilling overnight, use cake cubes that soak up the cream beautifully.
Common Questions
Can I make these a day ahead? Yes. Assemble, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Add the final cookie crumble and caramel right before serving for the best texture.
What apples work best? Granny Smith for tartness and structure, Honeycrisp for a sweet crunch. You can mix them for balance.
How do I thicken the cheesecake layer without gelatin? Beat the cream cheese until smooth and fold in cold whipped cream gently. Chilling firms it up. Avoid overmixing.
Can I use store bought apple pie filling? Absolutely. Warm it with a little cinnamon and a pinch of salt to brighten the flavor, then cool before layering.
What size cups should I use? Small 8 ounce jars or cups are perfect for individual servings. For a party, a big trifle bowl looks amazing on a dessert table.
A Sweet Little Send Off
There’s a reason I keep circling back to Apple Pie Cheesecake Trifles. They’re easy to assemble, easy to customize, and they make people happy. If you want even more ideas for layering, you might enjoy this generous take on a Caramel Apple Cheesecake Trifle or this playful version of a No Bake Caramel Apple Cheesecake Trifle. Have fun with your flavors, keep the layers neat, and don’t be shy with the caramel drizzle. You’ve got this, and I can’t wait to hear how yours turn out.
No Bake Caramel Apple Cheesecake Trifle
Ingredients Â
MethodÂ
- Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.
- Cook for 6 to 8 minutes until the apples are juicy and soft, but not mushy.
- Cool the mixture completely.
- In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.
- Gently fold in the whipped cream until just combined.
- Crush cookies or cube cake.
- If using graham crackers, mix in melted butter.
- In serving jars or a big bowl, layer in this order: crunch, cheesecake cream, apples, and a drizzle of caramel.
- Repeat layers until jars are filled.
- Chill in the fridge for 30 to 60 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
