Creamy Caramel Apple Icebox Cake #appleweek

No bake creamy caramel apple icebox cake is a perfect way to transition to fall flavors without heating up the house. The vanilla cream cheese filling, Graham crackers and cinnamon brown sugar apples come together to make the perfect slice of dessert.

This post is sponsored in conjunction with #AppleWeek . The sponsors are providing prize packages for readers to read and product for development of #AppleWeek recipes. All opinions are mine alone.

     Get a fabulous fall dessert on the table without turning on the oven! Layers of Graham crackers, creamy vanilla filling and apples quickly caramelized in a skillet are married into one beautiful sweet treat. This icebox cake is a fun and easy make ahead dessert.


     Icebox cakes are nothing new, people have been layering whipped cream and chocolate wafer cookies together and letting them meld into a sliceable "cake" for decades. But that doesn't mean they can't be updated and made fresh and fun again.

     This caramel apple icebox cake is basically a no bake cheesecake masquerading as an refrigerator cake. In fact, I almost made it as a cheesecake but decided layering whole Graham crackers would be both more fun and less work.

      In my book that is what we call a double win. And winning is what we like to do so we took the shortcut and ran away with the culinary victory! 👑

       You want to make the apple mixture first so that it has time to cool down a bit before you start layering. Prepping the apples is the most time consuming part of the whole recipe, but it is totally worth the effort.

        Once the apples are cored, peeled and chopped it is time to turn them into heaven.  A little butter, brown sugar and cinnamon helps take them to that next level.

     After they are softened and aromatic, thicken the sauce a bit and stir in some vanilla. It is going to be hard not to eat them out of the pan, but try to resist.

     Now set those beautiful caramelized apples aside and let them come to room temperature. It's time to start assembling your layers of apple yum yum.

      First form the bottom layer of crust by placing whole graham crackers in the square baking dish. I used Nairn's oat graham crackers and they worked beautifully. Feel free to use whatever you have and like.

      Next I whipped together some softened cream cheese, sugar and vanilla bean paste. I just love seeing the vanilla bean specks in creamy white desserts!

       Taylor & Colledge sent a squeeze tube of vanilla bean paste for me to try and I really liked the convenience.  Not to mention the wonderful flavor and visible specks that always make me happy.

       After the cream cheese mixture is super smooth, drizzle in the cream slowly with the mixer running at medium high speed. I much prefer this method to whipping the cream separately and folding it in.

       It not only saves steps but dirty dishes too.  That is another win-win proposition for sure!

      Now layer some fluffy vanilla cream cheese goodness on those graham crackers. Top it with a bit of your sauteed apples.

     Repeat the layers using the rest of the ingredients and you are done! You could dive in now.

      However if you want to be able to serve pieces that hold their shape, you are going to want to chill it for a couple of hours or overnight. It is an icebox cake afterall, so it should see the inside of your refrigerator!

       Eat it as is or drizzle with a bit of caramel sauce for an extra decadent treat!

 

Fun ways to switch up this apple icebox cake recipe

• Use gingersnaps instead of graham crackers.
• Use vanilla wafers instead of graham crackers.
• For a more spiced flavor throughout, beat a half teaspoon of cinnamon and dash of nutmeg into the cream cheese mixture.
• If you don't have apples, use pears or peaches.

More great no bake fall desserts

• No bake pumpkin cheesecake is another fabulous way to get fall flavors on the table without using the oven. I piped cream cheese whipped cream rosettes on it which makes it look extra festive without a ton of effort.
• Pumpkin patch dirt pudding cups are ready for a trip to the pumpkin patch. They are super easy to put together and there's a cute free printable that makes them extra fun. They'd be great for classroom parties or pumpkin carving get togethers.  
• No bake apple pie looks like another delicious fall dessert. I think we should all put it on our must try list! 

Have you ever made an icebox cake? What is your favorite kind?

    We are half way through #appleweek already. There are so many recipes to make and a giveaway to enter!  Make sure to check out all of the great recipes and enter to win fun prizes. To see all of the run prizes you can win check out my welcome post HERE.

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apple yum yum, caramel apple yum yum, apple icebox cake, no bake apple dessert

dessert

American

Yield: 9 servings

Author: Cooking With Carlee

Creamy Caramel Apple Icebox Cake

No bake creamy caramel apple icebox cake is a perfect way to transition to fall flavors without heating up the house. The vanilla cream cheese filling, Graham crackers and cinnamon brown sugar apples come together to make the perfect slice of dessert.

prep time: 20 Mcook time: 10 Mtotal time: 30 M

ingredients:

Caramel Apples

• 3 Tablespoons butter
• 5 medium apples
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 teaspoons cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

Icebox Cake

• 8 ounces of graham crackers
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream - chilled
• 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste

instructions:

How to cook Creamy Caramel Apple Icebox Cake

Caramel apples

1. Core, peel and dice apples into about 1/4" cubes.
2. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
3. Add the apples, water, brown sugar and cinnamon.  Simmer for about 5 minutes until the apples begin to soften.
4. Make slurry of the cornstarch and a tablespoon or two of water. Pour into the warm apples and cook stirring until thickened, about 2 minutes. 
5. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla bean paste. 
6. Set aside and allow to cool to room temperature. 

Icebox assembly

1. Place a layer of graham crackers on the bottom of an 8 or 9" square dish.
2. Beat cream cheese until it is creamy and lump free. Add the sugar and beat until well mixed.
3. With the mixer running on medium-high speed, slowly drizzle in the cream. Continue to beat until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the vanilla and mix until combined.
4. Spread half of the cream cheese mixture over the graham crackers.  Spread about 1/3 of the apple mixture over the filling.
5. Top with the remaining graham crackers, then the remaining cream cheese mixture. Finish with the remaining apples. 
6. Refrigerate for at least two hours or overnight.
7. Serve and enjoy!

Calories
460.88

Fat (grams)
26.88

Sat. Fat (grams)
15.70

Carbs (grams)
53.71

Fiber (grams)
3.40

Net carbs
50.31

Sugar (grams)
36.18

Protein (grams)
3.71

Sodium (milligrams)
174.02

Cholesterol (grams)
73.19

https://www.cookingwithcarlee.com/2019/09/creamy-caramel-apple-icebox-cake.html

Copyright: Cooking With Carlee 2019

Created using The Recipes Generator

More great apple recipes from my friends

• Apple Celeriac Salad by Caroline's Cooking
• Apple Coffee Cake Muffins by Blogghetti
• Apple Cream Puffs by Jolene's Recipe Journal
• Apple Crisp in a Mug by An Affair from the Heart
• Apple Muffins by Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Apple Oatmeal Cookies by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Apple Oatmeal Cutout Cookies by The Monday Box
• Applesauce Cake Tassies by Cindy's Recipes and Writings
• Chocolate Covered Apple Slices by Books n' Cooks
• Apple Gouda Crostini by Snacks and Sips
• Country Fried Apples by Tip Garden
• Crispy Hot Cider Tea-Brined Chicken Thighs by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Crunchy Dried Cherry Applesauce Cake Bars by Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
• Fuji Apple Salad with Chicken by Palatable Pastime
• Hot Apple Cider Tea Bread by Our Good Life
• Moroccan Apple and Sweet Potato Beef Stew by Savory Moments
• Spiced Applesauce Cookies by Who Needs A Cape?
• Vegan Apple Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Braid by The Baking Fairy

Disclaimer: Thank you AppleWeek Sponsors:  Envy Apples, Bob’s Red Mill, Republic of Tea, Flahavan’s Irish Oats, Nairn’s, Taylor & Colledge, Zyliss, Chocoley, and Torani  for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for AppleWeek  recipes. All opinions are my own. The AppleWeek giveaway is open to U.S. residents, age 18 & up. All entries for the winner will be checked and verified. By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Nine (9) winners will be selected. The prize packages will be sent directly from the giveaway sponsors. The AppleWeek Bloggers are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members in their household cannot enter or win the giveaway. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or any other social channel mentioned in the AppleWeek posts or entry.

Shared at The Weekend Potluck and Meal Plan Monday