Easy Caramel Apple Shortbread Parfaits Recipe

When we dropped my son off for college, my husband decided to cheer me up by stopping at the Birmingham Farmer’s Market on the trip back home.  He had his eye on peaches and wanted a batch of jam, but I was in the mood for apples.  I’d been browsing on Pinterest, where I spend way too much time, finding ideas I don’t have time to try.  I had discovered this pin for  Caramel Apple Shortbread and wanted to try it for myself. The original recipe called for homemade whipped cream, shortbread, an apple mixture and caramel sauce. I was pretty sure I could simplify this recipe without sacrificing taste. It would still look and taste delicious, but  I would be able to whip it up in a snap. That’s my kind of dessert!
Apple Caramel Shortbread Parfait 2

Because I was short on time and needed a dessert in a hurry, I decided to forgo making the apple mixture from scratch and use a can of apple pie filling instead.  The homemade whipped cream went out the window and I substituted canned whipped topping instead. Since I was able to purchase premade shortbread cookies and caramel sauce, four of these desserts can be made in literally ten minutes. (Note: Use a higher quality shortbread cookie for a “buttery” taste.)
Ingredients

Sure, I could have made everything from scratch and it would have been amazing, but it was pretty darn tasty just the way it was. Layer the ingredients in the following order; shortbread crumbs, apple pie filling, whipped topping and caramel.  If you want it to be fancy, divide the ingredients and repeat layers.
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Caramel Apple Shortbread Parfaits
Ingredients
  • 1 can (16 ounces) apple pie filling
  • 1 can dairy whipped topping (usually 12 ounces)
  • 1 cup (8 ounces) caramel ice cream topping
  • 12 shortbread cookies, crumbled
Instructions
  1. Add 1/4 cup (each) shortbread crumbs to four parfait glasses. Top with 1/4 cup apple pie filling. Top with whipped topping to your taste and 2 tablespoons caramel ice cream topping. If you prefer, divide the ingredients into two layers, repeating the order of shortbread crumbs, pie filling whipped topping and caramel. Top with an apple slice, if desired.

Apple Caramel Shortbread Parfait

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24 Comments

  1. This sounds so good. I love apples and caramel together. Thanks for the recipe.

  2. What a simple recipe! I know my family is going to love this and it will only take a few minutes for me to whip up!

  3. This looks amazing! I love anything with apple in it! So excited for fall and all of the yummy fall recipes!

  4. Shortbread cookies are one of my favorites! This sounds like a yummy fall dessert!

  5. Sabrina @ Dinner, then Dessert

    Caramel apples are one of my kids’ favorite treats! They load up on them every Halloween!

  6. These sound like amazing parfaits!!! I need to get braver to try more apple desserts, I do love apple and caramel together!

  7. These look so yummy! I LOVE caramel apple anything, pinning this!

  8. I love caramel apples. The fall is the perfect time of year for this.

  9. Yum. Parfaits are good. So is caramel. Both of them together looks fantastic.

  10. Caramel and apple are so amazing together. This looks like a great recipe. I will have to get the ingredients i need tomorrow.

  11. This looks like a delicious and easy recipe to make. It will be a big hit in my house.

  12. This would make a delicious dessert. My kids would love it. I will have to make some for this weekend.

  13. This would really hit the spot. That caramel apple combo brings back so many fun childhood memories.

  14. You had me at Caramel Apple – then you went and added in the shortbread. This sounds amazing… i will totally be making these.

  15. What an easy, time-saving dessert idea! I love caramel and apple together.

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  17. Oh my goodness does this look super delish! I love the flavor combinations you have going on here!

  18. This is the best recipe you’ve ever shared! EVER! That looks fantastically good. You can never go wrong with parfaits or with apple anything.

  19. OH man you are a pure genius! I would have never though of doing a parfait this way! SOOO easy and yummy! Totally doing this!

  20. I love parfait and this looks amazing.

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  23. This would be a huge hit in my house. Looks delicious!

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