Why make this recipe
Caramel Apple Donut Cake Pops are a delightful treat that combines the flavors of warm apple fritters with luscious caramel. They are perfect for parties, gatherings, or a sweet snack at home. These cake pops are fun to make and eat, and they appeal to both kids and adults alike. With caramel and peanuts adding a crunchy touch, they are sure to impress anyone who tries them.
How to make Caramel Apple Donut Cake Pops
Ingredients
- 12 apple fritters or glazed apple cider donuts
- 2-4 tbsp apple butter
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
- 10 oz Werther’s Original chewy caramels
- 3 tbsp heavy whipping cream
- Chopped peanuts
- Cake pop or lollipop sticks
- Cupcake liners
Directions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
- Cut up the apple fritters or glazed donuts into small bite-sized pieces. Use a Kitchen Aid mixer to crumble the pieces completely before adding any wet ingredients.
- Once the pieces are crumbled, add the vanilla bean paste. Gradually mix in the apple butter, one tablespoon at a time, until the mixture reaches a moist consistency similar to cookie dough, but not as gooey as cake batter.
- The dough should form a large ball that holds together when rolled without crumbling.
- Use a 1-ounce cookie scoop to evenly portion the mixture and roll it into balls.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine a handful of caramels with a third of the heavy whipping cream. Heat in the microwave in 10-second increments, stirring each time, until melted, for about 30 seconds. Be careful not to burn the caramel.
- Dip the ends of the cake pop sticks into the melted caramel. This helps the dough balls stick to the sticks.
- Carefully dip the caramel-coated ends of each stick about half an inch into the dough balls, then place them on the baking sheet.
- After dipping all the sticks, place the baking sheet in the freezer for about 15-20 minutes. This step is optional, but it makes dipping in caramel easier.
- While the cake pops firm up, chop the peanuts and place them in a bowl. Also, prepare your cupcake liners.
- Heat the remaining caramel and heavy whipping cream in a saucepan over low heat. Stir continuously until the mixture is smooth and melted.
- Scoop some of the warm melted caramel and twirl each cake pop in it, rather than dipping directly.
- Immediately dip the coated cake pops in the chopped peanuts, then place them in the cupcake liners.
- Chill the cake pops in the refrigerator to keep their shape and stay fresh. Remove them from the refrigerator at least 10 minutes before serving.
How to serve Caramel Apple Donut Cake Pops
Place the cake pops in cupcake liners and arrange them on a plate for an attractive display. They make for a fun dessert option, and their individual servings are perfect for sharing. Enjoy them at parties, picnics, or as an after-school treat!
How to store Caramel Apple Donut Cake Pops
To store the cake pops, place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for about a week. If you want to keep them for a longer time, you can freeze them. Just make sure to layer them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Tips to make Caramel Apple Donut Cake Pops
- Use fresh donuts for the best flavor and texture.
- Be patient when melting the caramel to ensure it is smooth.
- You can customize toppings by using different nuts or sprinkles.
Variation
Try using different flavors of donuts or adding chocolate drizzle on top for a different twist.
FAQs
1. Can I use store-bought caramel sauce instead of melting caramels?
Yes, you can use store-bought caramel sauce for convenience. Just heat it until it’s pourable.
2. How do I know when the cream and caramel mixture is ready?
It should be smooth and pourable. If it feels too thick, add a little more heavy cream and stir.
3. Can these cake pops be made gluten-free?
Yes, you can use gluten-free donuts to make these cake pops suitable for gluten-free diets.
Caramel Apple Donut Cake Pops
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 cake pops 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Caramel Apple Donut Cake Pops combine the warm flavors of apple fritters with luscious caramel and crunchy peanuts. Perfect for parties, gatherings, or a sweet snack, these fun-to-make treats are loved by both kids and adults.
Ingredients
12 apple fritters or glazed apple cider donuts
2–4 tbsp apple butter
1 tsp vanilla bean paste
10 oz Werther’s Original chewy caramels
3 tbsp heavy whipping cream
Chopped peanuts
Cake pop or lollipop sticks
Cupcake liners
Instructions
1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
2. Cut up the apple fritters or donuts into small pieces. Use a mixer to crumble them completely.
3. Add vanilla bean paste, then gradually mix in apple butter until the mixture is moist and holds together like cookie dough.
4. Scoop with a 1-ounce cookie scoop and roll into balls.
5. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt a handful of caramels with 1/3 of the cream in 10-second intervals until smooth.
6. Dip the ends of cake pop sticks into melted caramel, then insert them halfway into each dough ball.
7. Place on baking sheet and freeze for 15–20 minutes.
8. Chop peanuts and prepare cupcake liners.
9. Melt the remaining caramel with the cream in a saucepan over low heat, stirring until smooth.
10. Twirl each cake pop in the caramel, then dip in chopped peanuts.
11. Place in cupcake liners and chill until firm.
12. Remove from fridge 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Best served in cupcake liners for a neat presentation.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week, or freeze with parchment layers for longer storage.
For variety, try chocolate drizzle, different donut flavors, or alternative toppings like sprinkles or pecans.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cake pop
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 10mg