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Looking for an autumn Instant Pot dessert? Look no further – these Instant Pot Fireball apple shortcakes are a winning dish! It’s made with cinnamon apples soaked in Fireball whisky along with premade sponge cake dessert cups. Although this recipe screams fall, you’d be craving it year-round. And it’s kind of addictive – don’t say I didn’t warn you!
This boozy apple dessert is a great Autumn or Fall recipe. If you love apples and warm, spicy flavors, you will love this Fireball whiskey dessert recipe.
If you enjoy apple recipes, you might also like crockpot apple baked beans, Bisquick apple cobbler or this apple cider grilled chicken.
An Instant Pot makes light work of desserts and of course savory dishes as well. These machines haven’t been around all that long but they’re like modern crockpots. Although as well as slow cooking, you can do a lot more. Instant Pots have plenty of settings to choose from, making them invaluable in the kitchen. And a modern cook’s best friend!
Anyway, back to this Fireball whiskey dessert recipe!
Ingredients for a Boozy Apple Dessert
So what ingredients do you need for Instant Pot apple shortcakes? Apples are of course the main ingredient. I used Fuji apples which are crunchy and tart. If you want, you could use another kind such as Granny Smith or Red Delicious. The sweetness comes from dark brown as well as white sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon sugar, and honey.
Lemon, Fireball whiskey, star anise, and cinnamon all complement the flavor of the sweet apples in Fireball desserts such as this one. A little maple extract complements the flavor. This gives the taste of maple syrup without having to use too much maple syrup (which would make it too sweet).
Some cornstarch helps thicken up the apple mixture. To serve, you need premade sponge cake dessert cups or shortcake cups. And finally choose chopped walnuts, caramel sauce, and/or whipped cream. I like to use all three!
How to Make Instant Pot Fireball Apple Shortcakes
Once you have all the ingredients ready you can start making this wonderful Autumn Instant Pot dessert. Peel and slice the apples, then toss them in lemon juice to stop them from turning brown. Next you can mix in the Fireball whiskey, sugar, honey, and maple extract. Add this mixture to your Instant Pot and top with cinnamon sticks and star anise. Finally add the cornstarch slurry to the mixture.
Cook on high pressure for a few minutes then release the pressure. Give the mixture a stir and use it to top the dessert shells. Add whipped cream, caramel sauce and chopped walnuts and serve!
What are Premade Sponge Cake Dessert Cups?
The apple mixture in this recipe is entirely homemade. However I like to use premade sponge cake dessert cups. This means you don’t have to make your own cake dessert cups and saves time. You should be able to find these in the baking aisle at the store.
You don’t have to use readymade sponge shells though. Instead you might like to top a plain cheesecake with the spiced apple mixture or serve them with yogurt or vanilla ice cream instead. The apple mixture in this Fireball whiskey dessert recipe is versatile.
So if you’re making cinnamon apples soaked in Fireball, consider which way you want to serve them. The same is true if you make extra cinnamon apples soaked in Fireball. You can enjoy them over cake shells one day and with yogurt the next, for example.
How to Store this Fireball Whiskey Dessert Recipe
Got leftovers? No problem. You can store the cinnamon apples soaked in Fireball for up to 5 days.
Keep them in a covered container in the refrigerator. Then you can enjoy the apple mixture as Instant Pot Fireball apple shortcakes or serve them another way.
Can You Freeze this Boozy Apple Dessert?
If you are wondering about freezing this Autumn Instant pot dessert, you can! In fact, the apple mixture will keep for up to 6 months in an airtight container in the freezer. Since the shortcake shells are readymade just freeze the apple mixture by itself.
I love making this boozy apple dessert during the fall months. It’s quick and easy thanks to the Instant Pot only taking a few minutes to cook the apples.
The shortcake or sponge cake shells also help cut down the time needed to make Instant Pot Fireball apple shortcakes. Why not serve this dessert with a shot of Fireball whiskey on the side?
For a dessert which is so quick and easy to put together, this Fireball whiskey dessert recipe is really tasty. I just love the flavour in these Instant Pot Fireball apple shortcakes.
If you are a fan of this Instant Pot whiskey dessert recipe, you might also like Toffee Apple Cider Fireball Hot Toddy, Boozy Salted Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate or Apple Pie à la Mode Cocktail with Fireball Whisky and Vanilla Vodka.
Instant Pot Fireball Apple Shortcakes Recipe
Instant Pot Fireball Apple Shortcakes
Ingredients
- 6 apples, Fuji , peeled
- 1/4 Cup lemon juice
- 1 Cup brown sugar , dark
- 2 Tsp. maple extract
- 1 Tbsp. granulated sugar, cinnamon flavoured
- 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
- 1/4 Cup maple syrup
- 1/2 Tbsp. honey
- 1/4 Cup whiskey, cinnamon flavoured, such as Fireball
- 3 star anise
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 Cup water
- 3 Tbsp. cornstarch
For Serving
- 12 dessert cups, sponge cake or shortcake
- 1/4 Cup walnuts , chopped
- 1 Cup whipped cream
- 1/4 Cup caramel, sauce
Instructions
- Peel the apples and slice into ¼” pieces. Place sliced apples into a large mixing bowl. Toss in the lemon juice. This will prevent the apple slices from browning.
- Add brown sugar, maple extract, cinnamon, sugar, maple syrup, honey, and fireball whiskey to the bowl with the apples. Stir until well combined. Pour the bowl into the instant pot. Top with star anise and cinnamon sticks.
- Make a slurry. Combine water and cornstarch in a small bowl and whisk. Pour into the instant pot and stir well.
- Seal the instant pot. Set to manual high pressure for 3 minutes. Once complete, allow natural release for 3 minutes, then quick release the remaining steam
- Stir the apples, then add ½ cup to each dessert shell.
- Top with whipped cream, drizzle with caramel sauce, and sprinkle with chopped walnuts.
Nutrition
All those warm spices and different types of sweeteners add warm, earthy sweetness to every bite. This is such a great Autumn dessert on so many levels!
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Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
These were absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for the recipe!
Can this be done with peaches? If so, what temp and time???
I have not tried it with peaches, but I am sure it would taste delicious.
This apple filling is crying out to be a hand pie… I will do it.
These look so yummy! I can’t wait for cooler weather to start making fall recipes
Saving these to make for dessert soon. Look so good.