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This vanishing apple dessert turns simple apples into an amazing treat that blends the tastiest bits of old-fashioned apple pie with a standout look that'll impress your friends. The wonderful mix of caramelized apple stars sitting on vanilla ice cream with a soft apple cake underneath makes for a sweet experience your folks won't easily forget.
I whipped this up for my kid's birthday when she asked for "something apple-y that looks fancy." The caramel apple stars got gobbled up so fast that we started calling it the "vanishing apple pie" and now it's our go-to sweet for any big celebration.
Ingredients
- Apples: Go for hard types like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that won't turn mushy in the oven
- Sugar: Plain white sugar does the trick for making that golden caramel
- Eggs: Let them sit out till they're not cold for better mixing
- Butter: Melted but cooled so it doesn't cook your eggs
- Milk: Full-fat gives the best taste but any kind works fine
- Vanilla extract: Real stuff beats fake for deeper flavor
- Flour: Regular flour gives just the right texture
- Salt: Just a tiny bit makes everything taste better without being salty
- Baking powder: Make sure it's new so your cake puffs up nicely
- Vanilla ice cream: Fancy brands melt slower when serving
Making It Step by Step
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- Shape Your Apple Stars:
- Cut triangle pieces from each apple top to make eight-point stars. This little touch really makes the dessert pop. Go slow with your knife and space the points evenly. Getting this right will make your dessert look super fancy.
- Whip Up The Caramel:
- Warm sugar in a pan bit by bit, using just 1/2 cup at a time and letting each scoop melt before adding more. Keep an eye on the color till it turns golden brown, showing it's perfectly caramelized. Splashing in boiling water stops it from cooking more and makes it easy to pour.
- Fix The Apple Bottom Layer:
- Slice the apple bottoms super thin after taking out the middles. Really skinny slices cook better and layer up nicely. Taking time to lay them flat in your baking dish helps everything cook the same.
- Blend Your Cake Mix:
- Stir wet stuff together first, mixing until smooth. Make sure it looks even before adding dry stuff. Stir in flour, salt and baking powder gently to keep air bubbles that help your cake rise.
- Bake It Just Right:
- Pour your mix over the apples and bake till golden. The cake will grow around the apple slices, making a nice mix of soft cake and tender fruit. Your house will smell amazing with baking apples and vanilla.
- Put It All Together:
- Turn the cake over carefully onto a plate, showing off the pretty apple pattern. Add ice cream scoops while the cake's still warm so they start melting a bit. Top each scoop with an apple star and drizzle leftover caramel for a wow-worthy finish.
Those star-shaped apple tops really make this dessert stand out. I found this trick by chance when I was trying to make apple roses for something else. My daughter said they looked more like stars than flowers, and that happy accident led to our family favorite.
Picking The Right Apples
Different apples create different tastes in this dessert. Sour apples like Granny Smith balance out the sweet caramel and cake, while sweeter ones like Honeycrisp or Gala make everything taste more sugary. For an interesting flavor, try using mixed apple types in the sliced part while keeping the star tops all the same kind so they look uniform.
Prep Work Ahead Of Time
Though this treat looks best right after you put it together, you can get parts ready beforehand. The caramel can be made up to three days early and kept in the fridge, then warmed up gently. The apple stars can be cut hours ahead and kept in water with lemon juice so they don't brown. The cake part tastes best baked right before serving but can be made earlier that day and warmed up before you finish the dessert.
Changing With The Seasons
In fall, try adding a bit of cinnamon or apple pie spice to the mix. Summer versions can include some berries between the apple slices. Winter ones taste great with a splash of bourbon in the caramel, while spring versions might work well with a bit of lemon zest in the batter. These tweaks make the vanishing apple pie work for any time of year or party.
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The vanishing apple pie will surely become a family favorite that looks stunning and tastes incredible.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use ready-made caramel instead of homemade?
Yes, pre-made caramel is a time-saver! But making it yourself gives richer flavor. If using store-bought, warm it up a bit so it sticks better to the apple stars.
- → Which apples are best for this dish?
Go for firm and semi-sweet apples like Braeburn, Granny Smith, or Honeycrisp. These hold up well in baking and balance nicely with sweet caramel.
- → Can I prepare parts of this dish ahead of time?
Yes! Make the caramel sauce and slice the apples (toss with lemon juice to stop browning) the day before. Bake the cake fresh, and assemble at the last minute for the ideal look.
- → What’s the best way to stop apple stars from discoloring?
Coat the stars right away in the sticky caramel. It seals them and keeps them fresh-looking. If you’re prepping earlier, brush with lemon juice first, then caramel later.
- → What extra toppings go well with it?
It’s great as-is but jazz it up with powdered sugar, a pinch of cinnamon, or drizzle warm rum or bourbon caramel sauce for a grown-up version!
- → Why’s it called 'disappearing' apple pie?
It’s because it vanishes off plates in no time! The mix of sweet caramel, delicate cake, and cool ice cream makes it irresistible.