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Cozy Salted Caramel Apple Crisp for Two – Easy Small Batch Dessert

cozy salted caramel apple crisp for two - featured image
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This perfectly portioned apple crisp features tender unpeeled apples, a buttery oat topping, and a quick homemade salted caramel that seeps into every bite. Ready in 45 minutes, it’s the ultimate cozy dessert for two.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 medium apples (about 12 ounces total), preferably Honeycrisp or Granny Smith, unpeeled, cored, and sliced ¼-inch thick
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Pinch of salt
  • ¼ cup packed light brown sugar (for caramel)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for caramel)
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon flaky sea salt (plus more for sprinkling)
  • ⅓ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • ⅓ cup all-purpose flour (for topping)
  • ¼ cup packed light brown sugar (for topping)
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon (for topping)
  • Pinch of salt (for topping)
  • 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
  • Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream (for serving, optional)
  • Extra flaky sea salt (for serving, optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Position a rack in the center of the oven and place a baking sheet on the rack below to catch drips.
  2. Prepare the apples: Wash apples thoroughly, cut in half, then into quarters. Remove core and seeds. Slice each quarter crosswise into ¼-inch thick pieces (about 2½ cups). Place in a medium mixing bowl.
  3. Macerate the apples: Add granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt to the bowl. Toss to coat. Let sit for 5 minutes.
  4. Make the crisp topping: In a small bowl, combine rolled oats, ⅓ cup flour, ¼ cup brown sugar, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Stir. Add cold butter cubes. Using a pastry cutter, two forks, or your fingertips, cut butter into the dry mixture until it resembles coarse meal with some pea-sized butter pieces. Refrigerate while making the caramel.
  5. Make the salted caramel sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine ¼ cup brown sugar and 2 tablespoons butter. Stir constantly until butter melts and sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and carefully whisk in heavy cream (it will bubble up). Stir in vanilla and ¼ teaspoon flaky sea salt. Set aside to cool slightly.
  6. Assemble the crisp: Stir the macerated apples and transfer to a small baking dish (about 3-cup capacity). Pour the salted caramel sauce evenly over the apples. Sprinkle the chilled topping evenly over the top without pressing down.
  7. Bake: Place the dish on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 28 to 32 minutes, until topping is deep golden brown and filling is bubbling with thick syrupy bubbles. If topping browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil after 20 minutes.
  8. Cool and serve: Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt just before serving. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Notes

Do not skip the maceration step—it draws out apple juices to create a natural syrup. Keep the topping cold until the last minute for maximum crunch. Let the crisp rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the filling to thicken. For a gluten-free version, use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. For a vegan adaptation, use vegan butter and full-fat coconut cream.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple crisp, small batch dessert, salted caramel, easy apple crisp, dessert for two, fall dessert, no peel apple crisp

Find it online: https://dinadinnertable.com/cozy-salted-caramel-apple-crisp-for-two-easy-small-batch-dessert/