I’m not sure if I can call this a no-bake dessert. I mean, you do have to cook the apples on the stovetop. But you can do that way ahead of time (like, days and days ahead) and then just assemble when you’re ready to let your guest devour this creative apple dessert goodness.
So I’m going with the no bake thing. Even if it is maybe sorta a stretch.
Guys… this trifle. So perfect for parties. Hello easy entertaining! I’m making it for my annual Halloween party. You can go ahead and make every layer before guests even think about arriving. The no bake cheesecake. The cinnamon whipped cream. The crushed up biscoff cookies. You get the idea. 
Tell me you don’t want to dive head first into that trifle?! No really, please tell me. That way I get to eat yours too.
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Caramel Apple Cheesecake Trifle
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6-8 1x
- Diet: Omnivore
Description
Creamy cheesecake, cinnamon whipped cream, and spiced apples layered with crunchy cookies. A make-ahead dessert perfect for entertaining.
Ingredients
- 4 apples (907 g) apples
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter (57 g) unsalted butter
- 0.5 cups (118 ml) lightly packed brown sugar
- 0.5 tsp cinnamon
- 2 cups (473 ml) heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 0.7 cups (166 ml) powdered sugar
- Cinnamon
- 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese, softened
- 4 oz (113 g) mascarpone cheese, softened
- 0.25 cups (59 ml) sugar
- 0.5 tsp vanilla
- 0.75 cups (177 ml) whipped cream
- Biscoff cookies (or Nilla Wafers/Graham Crackers), crushed
- Good-quality caramel sauce topping (or make your own!)
- Sea salt
Instructions
- For the Apple layer
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add the apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon, and stir until well combined. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10-15 minutes, until the apples are tender and the brown sugar creates a thick glaze.
- For the Cinnamon Whipped Cream
- In the bowl of your stand mixer or in a medium mixing bowl fitted with an electric hand mixer, beat the cream, sugar, and vanilla on medium/medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. Do not overbeat. Reserve ¾ cup of whipped cream for cheesecake layer. With the rest of the whipped cream, gently fold in ½ teaspoon cinnamon and taste. Add more cinnamon if desired.
- For the Cheesecake layer
- In the bowl of your stand mixer or in a medium mixing bowl fitted with an electric hand mixer, whip together the cream cheese, mascarpone, sugar, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy. Gently fold in the reserved whipped cream by hand.
- When Ready to Assemble the Trifle
- Remove apples from the refrigerator and let them come closer to room temperature. Stir in some sea salt into the caramel to achieve the desired salted caramel flavor.
- Alternate layers of crushed biscoff cookies, cheesecake layer, apples, cinnamon whipped cream, and salted caramel. Devour immediately.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use a combination of brown and granulated sugar in the apple mixture.
- If you don’t have mascarpone cheese, you can substitute with an equal amount of additional cream cheese.
- Assemble the trifle up to a day ahead and chill. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 50
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Unsaturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 60
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 6
- Cholesterol: 80
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use store-bought caramel sauce for the trifle layers?
Yes. A good quality jarred caramel sauce saves time and works well in a trifle since the layers are assembled rather than baked. Warm it slightly so it pours and spreads easily.
What type of apples hold their shape best in the caramel apple layer?
Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples stay firm after cooking and provide a slight tartness that cuts through the rich cheesecake and caramel layers.
How far ahead can I assemble this trifle?
Assemble it up to 24 hours in advance and keep it covered in the refrigerator. The layers will set and meld together, but wait to add any whipped cream topping until just before serving.
