Apple Crumble For Two – An Easy Small-Batch Fall Dessert

Apple Crumble is the perfect dessert to make when you are ready to enjoy the flavors of fall but don’t want an entire pan of dessert sitting around the kitchen. Tender cinnamon apples are covered with a buttery brown sugar crumble and then baked until the fruit is soft and the topping is golden brown.

Although apple desserts are popular throughout the year, they become especially appealing as summer begins to wind down. As soon as September arrives, apples begin showing up at farmers markets, grocery stores and local orchards.

That makes this the perfect time to put those fresh apples to good use. However, instead of making a full-size apple pie or a large baking dish of apple crisp, this recipe makes just enough for two people.

You can divide the apple crumble between two individual ramekins or bake it in one small baking dish. Then, once it comes out of the oven, serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

It is an easy dessert that looks and tastes impressive, but requires only a few basic ingredients. Best of all, you can have it prepared and in the oven in about 10 minutes!

What Is Apple Crumble?

Apple crumble is a classic dessert made with sweetened apples covered with a flour, sugar and butter topping. As it bakes, the apples soften and release their juices, creating a warm and flavorful filling.

At the same time, the butter melts into the flour and brown sugar mixture. This creates a crisp, crumbly topping that turns golden brown in the oven.

Although apple crumble and apple crisp are often considered the same dessert, there is traditionally one noticeable difference between the two. Apple crisp topping usually includes old-fashioned rolled oats.

On the contrary, a crumble has a flour-based streusel topping that does not contain oats. This gives the crumble a softer, more buttery topping with larger crumbs scattered over the fruit.

Both desserts are delicious, but the simple brown sugar crumble topping makes this recipe especially easy to prepare. There is no need to make pastry dough, roll out a pie crust or even get out the electric mixer.

All you need are two bowls, a fork and a couple of ramekins or a small baking dish.

The Best Apples To Use

The best apples for making Apple Crumble For Two are varieties that soften as they bake but do not immediately turn into applesauce. You want the apple pieces to become tender while still maintaining some of their texture.

Granny Smith apples are a popular choice because they hold their shape well and their tart flavor balances the sweetness of the crumble topping. Honeycrisp apples are another excellent option because they are naturally sweet, crisp and full of apple flavor.

Pink Lady, Braeburn, Jonagold and Golden Delicious apples will also work well in this recipe. However, I prefer to use a combination of one tart apple and one sweet apple whenever possible.

Using two varieties gives the filling a deeper, more balanced flavor. For example, pairing a Granny Smith apple with a Honeycrisp apple provides the perfect combination of sweet and tart flavors.

However, because this is a small-batch recipe, don’t hesitate to use whatever apples you already have in your kitchen. Just be aware that softer varieties, such as McIntosh, will break down more quickly during baking.

Preparing The Apple Crumble Filling

Begin by peeling and coring two medium apples. Then cut the apples into small, bite-size pieces.

Try to cut the pieces into a fairly even size so that they cook at the same rate. Pieces that are approximately 1/2 inch thick will become tender in the same amount of time that it takes the crumble topping to turn golden brown.

Place the diced apples in a medium bowl. Then add the granulated sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, lemon juice, vanilla extract and a pinch of nutmeg.

The cornstarch may not seem necessary, but it helps thicken the juices released by the apples as they bake. Without it, the filling may become thin and watery at the bottom of the ramekins.

The lemon juice adds a slight tartness while also helping prevent the diced apples from turning brown. Once everything is added to the bowl, stir until the apple pieces are evenly coated.

Then divide the mixture between two greased ramekins. You can also place all of the filling in one small baking dish and divide the dessert after it has been baked.

How To Make The Crumble Topping

The crumble topping is made with five simple ingredients – flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt and cold butter. The key to creating the best texture is making sure the butter remains cold until it is mixed with the dry ingredients.

Begin by whisking the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt together in a small bowl. Then cut the cold butter into small cubes and add it to the flour mixture.

Use a fork, pastry cutter or your fingertips to work the butter into the dry ingredients. Continue mixing until the butter is broken into small pieces and moist crumbs begin to form.

Some of the crumbs will be small, while others will be larger. This is exactly what you want because the uneven pieces will give the topping its classic crumbly texture.

Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the apples, but do not press it down. Leaving the topping loose allows the heat to circulate around the crumbs so they can become golden brown.

Place the ramekins on a rimmed baking sheet before transferring them to the oven. The baking sheet will catch any juices that might bubble over the sides and make it easier to remove the hot ramekins from the oven.

Baking Apple Crumble For Two

Bake the apple crumble in a preheated 375°F oven for 28-32 minutes. You will know that it is ready when the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges.

If the crumble topping begins to brown before the apples are tender, loosely cover the ramekins with aluminum foil and continue baking. However, when the apples are cut into small pieces, they should become tender in the same amount of time that it takes the topping to bake.

Once the ramekins come out of the oven, allow them to rest for 5-10 minutes. The filling will be extremely hot, and the short resting time will also allow the juices to thicken.

For the ultimate fall dessert, serve each apple crumble warm with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream. The cold ice cream will begin to melt into the warm apples and buttery crumble, making every bite even more delicious.

Caramel sauce, whipped cream or a light dusting of powdered sugar can also be added just before serving.

Can Apple Crumble Be Made Ahead Of Time?

If you want to prepare the dessert ahead of time, assemble the apple filling and crumble topping separately. Cover both bowls and refrigerate them until you are ready to bake.

When it is time to make the dessert, divide the apple mixture between the ramekins and sprinkle the cold crumble topping over the surface. Then bake as instructed, adding a few extra minutes if the ingredients are still cold from the refrigerator.

Cover the leftover apple crumble and store in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat it in a 325°F oven until warmed through.

You can also reheat an individual serving in the microwave. However, the topping will remain crisper when you reheat it in the oven or an air fryer.

Whether you make it for a quiet weekend dessert, a special date-night meal or after visiting a local apple orchard, this Apple Crumble For Two is an easy way to enjoy one of the best flavors of fall without having a large amount of leftovers.

Enjoy! Mary

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