Easy Small Batch Apple Crisp for Two: Your Perfect Fall Dessert
There are moments when a craving for something sweet strikes, but the thought of baking a large batch dessert seems daunting. Perhaps you live in a smaller household, or you simply prefer not to have an abundance of leftovers sitting around. This is precisely where the magic of small-batch desserts comes into play, offering a delightful solution to satisfy your sweet tooth without the commitment of a full-sized treat. And today, we’re diving into a recipe that is not only ridiculously easy to prepare but also perfectly portioned for two: the ultimate Apple Crisp for Two.
This delightful dessert is a seasonal favorite, especially as the crisp autumn air arrives. It combines tender, spiced apples with a buttery, crunchy oat topping, creating a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. What makes this recipe truly special, beyond its incredible taste, is its sheer simplicity and convenience. You can even use the same mixing bowl for both the apple filling and the crisp topping, dramatically cutting down on cleanup time. This recipe is destined to become a staple in your repertoire, a go-to for those evenings when you desire a comforting, homemade dessert without the fuss. Trust me, I speak from abundant personal experience!
Choosing the Right Apples and Essential Preparation Tips
Let’s delve into the heart of this recipe: the apples. The filling is a simple yet flavorful mixture of fresh apples, a touch of flour, and brown sugar. For this particular recipe, I highly recommend using Granny Smith apples. Their distinct tartness provides a wonderful contrast to the sweetness of the brown sugar and the crisp topping, creating a perfectly balanced flavor profile that prevents the dessert from being overly sweet. However, feel free to experiment with your favorite apple varieties. If you opt for sweeter apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji, you might want to slightly reduce the amount of brown sugar in the filling to achieve your desired level of sweetness. A mix of two apple varieties, one tart and one sweet, can also add depth and complexity to your crisp.
A crucial tip for ensuring your apple crisp bakes beautifully and evenly is to chop your apples into pieces that are roughly the same size. While perfection isn’t necessary, aiming for consistency will ensure that all the apple pieces become tender at the same rate, preventing some from being undercooked while others turn to mush. Small, uniform pieces also fit better into the individual ramekins. You could slice the apples instead, but chopped pieces tend to create a more satisfying texture and are easier to portion evenly between the two ramekins.
The Perfect Vessel: Ramekins for Individual Servings
Speaking of ramekins, these small, individual baking dishes are ideal for this recipe. I used 10-ounce ramekins, which proved to be the perfect size to hold both the generous apple filling and the ample crisp topping. Everything fits snugly, allowing for a beautiful rise and an even bake. Ramekins are incredibly versatile kitchen tools; I often find them for just a few dollars each at local kitchenware stores or even thrift shops. They’re a worthy investment, as you can use them for countless other dishes, from individual pot pies and soufflés to crème brûlée. Or, as I often do, you can keep them on hand specifically for whipping up these irresistible small-batch apple crisps whenever the mood strikes!
Assembling and Baking Your Delicious Crisp
Once your apple filling is mixed and aromatic, simply divide it evenly between your two prepared ramekins. To minimize dirty dishes – a huge win in any kitchen – give the mixing bowl a quick wipe and reuse it for the topping. The crisp topping is a glorious combination of flour, brown sugar, old-fashioned rolled oats for that quintessential chewy texture, a hint of warming cinnamon, and just a tiny pinch of salt to enhance all the flavors. Finally, cold, cubed butter is incorporated to create that desirable crumbly texture. You can work the butter into the dry ingredients with your fingertips, a fork, or even a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some larger pea-sized pieces. This creates pockets of butter that will melt and spread, yielding a golden-brown, crispy topping. Sprinkle this delightful mixture generously over the apples in each ramekin, then pop them into the oven to bake.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its efficiency. You can easily prep everything while your main course is cooking, and then slide these individual crisps into the oven to bake alongside or immediately after dinner. In just 20-25 minutes, your kitchen will be filled with the intoxicating aroma of baked apples and cinnamon, signaling that a warm, comforting dessert is ready to be enjoyed. The topping will be beautifully golden brown, and the apple filling beneath will be tender and bubbling. Allow them to cool for a few minutes before serving, as they will be incredibly hot straight out of the oven.
And here’s a little secret for an extra special treat: since this recipe yields just two perfect servings, it’s absolutely permissible (and highly encouraged!) to add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a generous drizzle of homemade salted caramel sauce. The warm, tender apples, the crunchy topping, the melting ice cream, and the rich caramel create an unforgettable dessert experience. Seriously, try it. You won’t regret a single bite!
Apple Crisp For Two
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Ingredients
For the filling:
- 2 large Granny Smith apples peeled, cored, and chopped – about 2 cups
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
For the topping:
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 3 tablespoons old-fashioned rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
- tiny pinch of salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter cold and cubed
Instructions
To make the filling:
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray two 10-ounce ramekins with non-stick cooking spray, or lightly butter them, and set aside.
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In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the chopped apples, all-purpose flour, and brown sugar. Toss gently until all the apple pieces are thoroughly coated. Evenly distribute the apple filling mixture between the two prepared ramekins and set them aside.
To make the topping:
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In the same medium-sized mixing bowl (or a freshly cleaned one, if you prefer), add the all-purpose flour, old-fashioned rolled oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and the tiny pinch of salt. Mix these dry ingredients together until they are well combined. Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter to the mixture. Using your fingertips, a fork, or a pastry blender, work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some larger, pea-sized pieces. Evenly distribute this delicious crisp topping over the apple filling in both ramekins.
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Bake in the preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until the apples are tender when pierced with a fork and the topping is beautifully golden brown and crispy. Remove from the oven and allow the apple crisps to cool for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This brief cooling period allows the filling to set slightly and prevents you from burning your tongue! Serve warm and savor every bite.
Why Choose Small-Batch Baking?
Small-batch baking, especially for desserts like this apple crisp, offers numerous advantages beyond simply avoiding a mountain of leftovers. It’s an excellent way to practice portion control, ensuring you enjoy a satisfying treat without overindulging. For couples or individuals living alone, it means fresh-baked goodness without the commitment of finishing a large pie or cake before it loses its freshness. It’s also incredibly quick to assemble and bake, making it perfect for a weeknight indulgence or a spontaneous dessert craving. Less preparation, less baking time, and minimal cleanup all contribute to a more enjoyable baking experience. Plus, there’s something inherently delightful about having your own individual dessert, hot and fresh from the oven.
Tips for Apple Crisp Success and Delicious Variations
To ensure your small-batch apple crisp is a resounding success every time, remember these key tips:
- Apple Choice: While Granny Smiths are recommended for their tartness, don’t be afraid to try other firm baking apples like Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or even a mix for a more complex flavor. Adjust sugar as needed.
- Even Chopping: Uniform apple pieces guarantee even cooking, preventing some from being too firm and others too soft.
- Cold Butter: For the crisp topping, ensure your butter is cold and cut into small cubes. This helps create that crumbly, airy texture rather than a dense, doughy one.
- Don’t Overmix the Topping: Mix just enough until it comes together in coarse crumbs. Overmixing can lead to a tough topping.
- Cooling Time: Resist the urge to dive in immediately. A few minutes of cooling allows the apple filling to set and prevents mouth burns.
Want to get creative? Here are some delicious variations:
- Nutty Topping: Add a tablespoon or two of chopped pecans or walnuts to the crisp topping for extra crunch and flavor.
- Spice it Up: Besides cinnamon, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg, allspice, or ginger to the apple filling for a warmer, more intricate spice profile.
- Add Citrus: A teaspoon of lemon zest in the apple filling can brighten the flavors beautifully.
- Different Fruits: While this is an apple crisp, the small-batch concept works wonderfully with other fruits too! Try peach, berry, or a mixed fruit crisp when those fruits are in season.
This easy Apple Crisp for Two is truly a revelation for anyone who loves homemade desserts but wants a perfectly portioned, hassle-free option. It’s comforting, satisfying, and utterly delicious. Dive in and enjoy your perfect small batch fall dessert!
You can find all of my small batch recipes here.
And here’s even more apple recipes to try!
Apple Oatmeal Cookies
Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake
