Creamy Caramel Apple Salad
A sweet and tangy dessert-like salad with fresh apples, caramel sauce, whipped topping, and peanuts, perfect for fall gatherings or as a treat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups fresh apples, diced (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji)
- 1 cup caramel sauce
- 2 cups whipped topping (Cool Whip or stabilized whipped cream)
- 1 cup lightly salted peanuts
- 1 package vanilla pudding mix (3.4 oz)
- 1 cup milk (whole milk or 2%)
Instructions
- Wash and dry the apples, then dice them into bite-sized pieces. Peel them if preferred.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the vanilla pudding mix and milk until smooth and slightly thickened (about 2 minutes).
- Gently fold the whipped topping into the pudding mixture using a spatula, ensuring the mixture stays light and fluffy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced apples and peanuts. Pour the creamy pudding mixture over the top and gently toss to coat evenly.
- Drizzle caramel sauce generously over the salad and give it one final toss. Save some caramel for drizzling over individual servings if desired.
- Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill.
Notes
Refrigerating the salad enhances the flavors and creates a refreshing texture. Use crisp apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for the best results. Add caramel sauce just before serving for a visually appealing dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 28
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 4
Keywords: caramel apple salad, fall dessert, easy recipe, sweet salad, autumn treat