This Apple Pie Trifle is a wonderful combination of vanilla cake, soft cinnamon apples, and whipped cream. The caramel drizzle on top is the perfect finishing touch!
Post Contains Affiliate Links. Read my full disclosure HERE
Apple Pie Trifle is the perfect fall dessert for everyone! It’s a great combination of cake and pie so it’s sure to make everyone happy to dig in. Thankfully, it makes enough for a hungry party so everyone can enjoy some. Yum!
“What’s not to like? Custard, good. Jam, good. Beef, GOOD!”- Joey
Like Joey from friends, I really love trifle. It’s one of my all time favorite desserts to make and eat! It’s so fun to come up with different combinations for cake and filling. Shall I do a fruit filling or a pudding filling? Or maybe on that has both?!?!?!
I love the simplicity of trifles because I am not that great at decorating cakes. Also, I really love how all the flavors mingle together as they are layered. I love to see the pretty layers of everything assembled. It is just so inviting to see! Lastly, I love that they are easy to transport, so they are my go-to desserts for a crowd or for a party.
Apple Pie Trifle
Like the leaves falling to the ground, everyone will fall head over heels in love with this Apple Pie Trifle. <See what I did there? Oh man, I crack myself up!= because I am so dang clever!
Anyway, I’m so serious when I say that people will love this trifle. They will love the flavor packed apples as they taste just like apple pie. I’m sure they will love the way the cake soaks in that yummy sauce that is made when you cook down the apples. Oh man, so much sugar and cinnamon happiness!
Not all apples are created equal so be sure to get ones that are best for baking. All apples are delicious but they have different qualities to each of them, making some better for baking, than others. Get ones that are great for baking, which would include Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Jonasgold, Braeburn, or Pink Lady. They will hold up well to the cooking process, without completely losing their shape, while still having a great texture.
When cooking the apples, be generous with the cinnamon and sugar. Give it a taste when you are making it, for any necessary adjustments.
When assembling you want to make sure that everything is nice and cool. If you rush that, then you will steam out the cake and make it soggy. Plus, the heat will make that extra delicious whipped cream melt.
Once assembled, you’ll want to cover, with plastic wrap, and then keep in the refrigerator prior to serving. I suggest making it at least 2 hours in advance, or you can even make it a day in advance.
If you have a fall party to attend, then I suggest bringing this Apple Pie Trifle. It’s so easy to transport in a trifle dish. You don’t have to worry about a bump in the road, unlike one knocking over a cake.
A big trifle bowl is a beautiful way to serve it, but you can also serve it in small individual containers. Instead, portion it in small plastic cocktail cups or mason jars. For larger servings you can use 1/2 pint mason jars, or in 4 ounce ones for a smaller one. Either way, you will have a great presentation for this yummy trifle.
I’ve made this awesome Apple Pie Trifle so many times for different gatherings because it’s so good. Everyone loves it. I get requests for it all the time. I bet that once you whip up one of these Apple Pie Trifles, that you will get plenty of rav reviews and requests for it too!
What kind of apples do I use?
You want to use an apple that is great for baking. They produce a better texture when cooked, than some great ‘eating’ apples. Apples that are great to use: Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Jonasgold, Braeburn, or Pink Lady.
Can I use homemade cake?
Absolutely! You don’t have to use a store box cake if you prefer to make homemade cake. I just like to take some shortcuts in the kitchen. If you are looking to make a cake yourself, then use a cake that isn’t too soft and moist. In order to have the cake to hold up to the sauce from the apples, you’ll want the cake to be dry, firm. Otherwise, it will just get super soggy.
Can I use canned apples?
Let’s say you can’t find any great baking apples or you just don’t have the time to make them- oh no! Well, then you can use 3 cans of apple pie filling. Of course, the homemade apples are better, but everyone will still really enjoy the trifle if you used that sticky, sweet, delicious apple pie filling.
Can I use frozen whipped topping?
Okay, I’m gonna draw the line there. Use boxed cake mix and even use canned apple pie filling, but you HAVE to use homemade whipped cream. That frozen whipped topping just isn’t great for this trifle because of it’s texture.
Can I make this in advance?
Yes, I even suggest that you make this a bit in advance and let it set up a bit. Of course you can make it right before heading out the door to a party, but I suggest making it at least 6 hours before serving.
More Apple Dessert Recipes
SUGGESTED PRODUCTS
Apple Pie Trifle
This Apple Pie Trifle is a wonderful combination of vanilla cake, soft cinnamon apples, and whipped cream. The caramel drizzle on top is the perfect finishing touch!
Ingredients
- 1 yellow cake mix, plus necessary ingredients (eggs, oil)
- 8-10 large baking apples, like granny smith
- 1/2 Cup water
- 1/2 Cup brown sugar
- 1/4 Cup granulated sugar
- 1 Tablespoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 pint heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup caramel sauce *optional
Instructions
- Bake the cake according to package directions, let cool completely. Once the cake is cool, cut it into 1" square pieces.
- Peel and core all apples and cut into thin wedges. In a medium sized pot on medium-low, add apples water, sugars, cinnamon and nutmeg. Mix thoroughly to coat all of the apples. Stir occasionally to keep the apples from sticking to the pot. Once the apples are fork tender and the syrup is thickening, approximately 15-20 minutes, remove from heat and let completely cool.
- To make the whipped cream, combine the heavy whipping cream and vanilla extract in a cold bowl. Beat until soft peaks form.
- To assemble the trifle, put down a layer of the cake pieces in your trifle dish, 1/3 of the cake. Then layer 1/3 of the the apples and then 1/3 of the whipped cream. If you are adding caramel sauce add it after the whipped cream.
- Repeat the cake, apple, and whipped cream layering 2 more times to complete the trifle.
Notes
Use a baking apple like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Jonasgold, Braeburn, or Pink Lady.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 255Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 213mgCarbohydrates: 46gFiber: 3gSugar: 34gProtein: 2g
Would you believe that I’ve never made (or even eaten!) a trifle?! New goal is to buy a trifle dish so I can make this for Thanksgiving. It looks amazing.
never eaten a trifle!?!? crazy!
you really need to get a trifle bowl. they are so amazing.
Ooooh this looks awesome! You know I’m obsessed with apples so this is a must at some point.
Nicole,
i love apples. When you come home for the holidays…….please please make this !!
What a clever way to use some leftover apples!
Holy deliciousness!!!!!!!!
I need to make this. like yesterday. looks amazing!