This recipe offers a delightful twist on the classic apple crisp by layering it with fresh strawberries and a creamy element, creating individual parfaits that are both visually appealing and bursting with flavor and texture. These Caramel Apple Strawberry Crisp Parfaits combine the warm, comforting notes of baked apples with the bright, juicy sweetness of fresh strawberries, all complemented by a rich caramel sauce and a crunchy oat topping. The base of each parfait often features a layer of softened or lightly baked apples, typically seasoned with cinnamon and a touch of sweetener. Freshly sliced strawberries are then layered on top, providing a refreshing contrast to the warm apples. A creamy component, such as whipped cream, vanilla yogurt, or a light cream cheese frosting, is often included to add smoothness and bind the fruit layers together. The signature crisp topping, made from oats, flour, butter, and brown sugar, provides a satisfying crunch and a hint of nutty sweetness. 1 A drizzle of decadent caramel sauce ties all the elements together, enhancing the sweetness and adding a rich, buttery flavor. These parfaits are perfect for a light dessert, a special breakfast treat, or an elegant snack. The individual servings make them ideal for entertaining, allowing for easy portion control and a beautiful presentation. The combination of warm and cool, soft and crunchy, and sweet and slightly tart flavors creates a well-balanced and irresistible dessert experience. The image shows two square aluminum foil containers filled with layered desserts. The bottom layer appears to be a white creamy substance, topped with chunks of light-colored fruit (likely apples), slices of red fruit (strawberries), a drizzle of brown caramel sauce, and a crumbly golden-brown topping (resembling an oat crisp).
The texture of Caramel Apple Strawberry Crisp Parfaits is a delightful interplay of soft, tender apples, juicy strawberries, smooth and creamy filling, and a crunchy, crumbly oat topping. The caramel sauce adds a slightly chewy and gooey element.
The flavor profile is a harmonious blend of sweet and slightly tart. The apples offer a warm, spiced sweetness, the strawberries provide a fresh, bright sweetness, the creamy layer adds richness and a hint of tang (if yogurt or cream cheese is used), and the oat crisp topping contributes a buttery, nutty sweetness. The caramel sauce ties it all together with its deep, caramelized sugar flavor.
Caramel Apple Strawberry Crisp Parfaits are a refreshing and satisfying dessert that combines the comforting flavors of apple crisp with the bright taste of strawberries in an elegant, layered presentation.
The preparation involves cooking or softening apples, layering them with strawberries and a creamy filling in individual servings, topping with a crisp oat mixture and caramel sauce.
Ingredients:
For the Apples:
- 2 medium apples (such as Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji), peeled, cored, and diced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of ground nutmeg (optional)
For the Strawberries:
- 1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
For the Creamy Layer (Choose one):
- 1 cup whipped cream (freshly whipped or store-bought)
- 1 cup vanilla yogurt
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened and whipped with 2 tablespoons powdered sugar and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Crisp Topping:
- ½ cup rolled oats
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
For the Caramel Sauce:
- Store-bought caramel sauce or homemade caramel sauce (recipe below)
Optional for Homemade Caramel Sauce:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- Pinch of salt
Equipment:
- Skillet
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing bowl (for crisp topping)
- Fork or pastry blender (for crisp topping)
- Serving glasses or parfait dishes
Instructions:
- Prepare the Apples: Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg (if using). Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are slightly softened but still hold their shape, about 5-7 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare the Strawberries: Hull and slice the fresh strawberries. Set aside.
- Make the Crisp Topping: In a medium bowl, combine the rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a fork or a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Assemble the Parfaits: In individual serving glasses or parfait dishes, layer the ingredients in the following order (or as desired):
- A layer of the cooked apples.
- A layer of sliced strawberries.
- A layer of the creamy topping (whipped cream, yogurt, or cream cheese mixture).
- Sprinkle a generous amount of the crisp topping over the creamy layer.
- Drizzle with caramel sauce.
- Repeat Layers (Optional): You can repeat the layers depending on the size of your serving dishes. Finish with a sprinkle of crisp topping and a drizzle of caramel sauce.
- Chill (Optional): For a cooler dessert, you can chill the assembled parfaits in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. However, they can also be enjoyed immediately.
Instructions for Homemade Caramel Sauce (Optional):
- Melt Sugar: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the granulated sugar, stirring occasionally until it is a smooth, amber-colored caramel. Be careful not to burn the sugar.
- Add Butter: Remove the saucepan from the heat and carefully stir in the butter until it is melted and smooth.
- Add Cream: Slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring constantly. The caramel may bubble up. Continue stirring until the sauce is smooth.
- Add Salt: Stir in a pinch of salt.
- Cool: Let the caramel sauce cool slightly before using. If it becomes too thick, you can gently reheat it with a splash of milk or cream. Store leftover caramel sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Enjoy these delightful Caramel Apple Strawberry Crisp Parfaits! The combination of warm spiced apples, fresh strawberries, creamy filling, crunchy crisp, and sweet caramel sauce is sure to be a treat.