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Craving a dessert that’s just for you? Try this Apple Cobbler For One! This quick and easy recipe is perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth without leaving you with leftovers. Picture tender, diced apples mingling with a soft, biscuit-like topping that melts in your mouth. Ideal for those nights when you want something sweet but don’t want a ton of leftovers. This homemade recipe is quick to assemble and bakes in a small ramekin. Treat yourself to this delightful, individual-sized treat!
Explore more single serving apple recipes like our crunchy Apple Crisp, fluffy Apple Muffin, nutritious Apple Filled Overnight Oats, or indulgent French Toast Casserole.
Why You’ll Love This Apple Cobbler Recipe
- Homemade Goodness: This cobbler is made entirely from scratch, offering authentic flavors that processed options can’t match.
- Easy to Make: With simple instructions, this recipe is perfect for kitchen novices and pros alike.
- Perfectly Portioned: Specifically designed for a single serving, there’s no fussing over leftovers.
- Doubles Easily: Got company? The recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for more servings.
What Is An Apple Cobbler?
Apple cobbler is a classic American dessert featuring a fruit filling topped with a biscuit or cake-like layer. It’s an unpretentious yet utterly delightful dish that warms your soul and satisfies your sweet tooth.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this small batch apple cobbler recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Apple: Any good baking apple will do the trick for this recipe. Whether you have Gala, Honeycrisp, or Golden Delicious on hand, you’ll be in good shape. Feel free to mix and match for a broader range of flavors. I use either 2 small apples or 1 medium apple in this recipe. Got extra apples? Use them to make a small batch of Morning Glory Muffins, Apple Pie Oatmeal, or Apple Fritters.
- Brown Sugar: This adds a rich, caramel-like sweetness that enhances the apple flavor. I don’t think there is a better substitute for brown sugar here, as it has a unique molasses content that I think is essential for this dish. If you don’t have brown sugar in your pantry, consider making some with our homemade brown sugar recipe.
- Flour: All-purpose flour is used for both the filling and the topping, providing structure and absorbing the fruit juices to prevent sogginess.
- Cinnamon: This warming spice elevates the apple filling. If you want a twist, you could opt for nutmeg or allspice as well.
- Vanilla: A dash of vanilla extract gives the apple filling an aromatic sweetness. If you’re out, almond extract can be used in a pinch.
- Lemon Juice: A splash of lemon juice in the filling can brighten the apple flavors and balance the sweetness.
Topping Ingredients:
- Flour & Sugar: They form the base of your biscuit topping, ensuring a cake-like texture. For a gluten-free version, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour.
- Baking Powder: Helps your topping rise and get fluffy.
- Milk: Included in the topping to provide moisture, making it tender and fluffy. Dairy-free? Almond or oat milk are good alternatives.
- Cinnamon and Sugar Sprinkle: Sprinkling this mix over the top before baking adds an extra layer of flavor and sweetness.
Recipe Variations
Love the original but interested in some variety? Try these ideas:
- Apple-Cranberry Fusion: Combine apple chunks with cranberries for a tart, vibrant filling. Add a bit of orange zest to the topping for an extra citrusy pop.
- Peach Cobbler: Swap the apples for peaches, and perhaps add a dash of nutmeg alongside cinnamon for a Southern-inspired dish.
- Tropical Cobbler: Go for a blend of pineapple and mango chunks and swap the lemon juice for lime. It’s an island vacation in a ramekin!
How To Make An Apple Cobbler For One
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make an apple cobbler. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring it’s fully up to temp before you begin baking.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped apples, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Stir until the apple pieces are well-coated.
- Lightly grease a 10-ounce ramekin with butter and transfer the apple mixture into it, spreading evenly.
- For the topping, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and milk in a separate bowl until you achieve a smooth consistency.
- Gently pour the topping batter over the apple mixture in the ramekin, making sure it’s evenly spread.
- In a small bowl, mix together cinnamon and sugar. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the cobbler topping.
- Place the filled ramekin on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any potential spills during the baking process.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-28 minutes or until the topping turns a beautiful golden color.
- Once done, carefully remove the ramekin from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before enjoying.
Expert Tips
- Temperature Matters: Preheating your oven is crucial. Make sure your oven reaches the exact temperature before you start baking. I recommend using an oven thermometer which can help with this and ensure consistency in your results.
- Flavor Boost: For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to your apple mixture. These spices complement the cinnamon wonderfully and give your cobbler a unique taste.
- Ramekin Prep: Buttering the ramekin not only prevents sticking but also adds a slight richness to the cobbler. You could even dust it with a bit of sugar for an added crunch.
- Baking Sheet Hack: Always place your ramekin on a baking sheet. Not only does it make it easier to take in and out of the oven, but it also catches any spills, saving you from a potential oven clean-up.
Serving Suggestions
This cobbler is a stand-alone star, but why not make it a blockbuster dessert? Here’s how:
- Classic Vanilla Ice Cream: Nothing beats the creamy texture of vanilla ice cream melting into the warm cobbler.
- Whipped Cream: A dollop of homemade whipped cream adds a cloud-like sweetness that complements the tartness of the apples.
- Caramel Drizzle: For that extra oomph, consider drizzling some warm caramel sauce over the top.
- Nut Crunch: A sprinkle of toasted almonds or pecans can add a delightful crunch, offering a contrasting texture to the soft baked apples.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Feel free to swap the apples to make a peach cobbler, blueberry cobbler, blackberry cobbler, or use pears. Just keep an eye on the cooking time as different fruits may soften at various rates.
Yes, just double the ingredient amounts and use a 5×5 inch baking dish.
The dishes we use and recommend can be found on our Store page.
The topping should be golden and the apple filling bubbly.
Best enjoyed fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
For more information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.
If you’ve tried this single serving apple cobbler recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!
Apple Cobbler For One
Equipment
Ingredients
For the apple filling
- 1 medium apple (or 2 small apples) – approximately 4-ounces, peeled, cored, and diced
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
- butter -for greasing the ramekin
For the cobbler topping
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tablespoon granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoons milk
For the cinnamon-sugar topping (optional)
- ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Make the filling
- In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped apples, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Stir until the apple pieces are well-coated.
- Lightly grease a 10-ounce ramekin with butter and transfer the apple mixture into it, spreading evenly.
Make the cobbler topping
- Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and milk in a separate bowl until you achieve a smooth consistency.
- Gently pour the topping batter over the apple mixture in the ramekin, making sure it's evenly spread.
Make the cinnamon-sugar topping
- In a small bowl, mix together ⅛ teaspoon of cinnamon and ½ teaspoon of sugar. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the cobbler topping.
- Place the filled ramekin on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any potential spills during the baking process.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-28 minutes or until the topping turns a beautiful golden color.
- Once done, carefully remove the ramekin from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before enjoying.
Notes
- Temperature Matters: Preheating your oven is crucial. Make sure your oven reaches the exact temperature before you start baking. I recommend using an oven thermometer which can help with this and ensure consistency in your results.
- Flavor Boost: For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to your apple mixture. These spices complement the cinnamon wonderfully and give your cobbler a unique taste.
- Ramekin Prep: Buttering the ramekin not only prevents sticking but also adds a slight richness to the cobbler. You could even dust it with a bit of sugar for an added crunch.
- Baking Sheet Hack: Always place your ramekin on a baking sheet. Not only does it make it easier to take in and out of the oven, but it also catches any spills, saving you from a potential oven clean-up.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
The filling was good. But the cobbler topping did not rise at all…
I’m glad you enjoyed the filling! As for the topping not rising, there could be a few reasons. Make sure your baking powder is fresh—baking powder can lose its effectiveness over time, which might cause the topping to stay flat. Also, be careful not to overmix the batter, as that can affect the rise too. I hope this helps, and I’d love for you to give it another try!
If you’re looking for a treat that’s not overly sweet this one is for you.
Every one of your dishes I’ve made has been top notch. Thank you so very much for all your hard work. I really love baking without having a gazillion leftovers for just two people. You’re the best!
Thank you!
Wonderful recipe with apples. Tried with blackberries, excellent that way too. Thanks so much for your wonderful recipes!
Hi, Joanie, and I want to say that I love your newsletter and look forward to its arrival in my inbox every week.
Thank you for taking the time to create these recipes.
I have made a number of them, they have all been simple and delicious.
Tending toward batch/freezer cooking for main dishes, I am especially partial this time of year to your small portion desserts.
The apple crisp and pecan pie have become favorites, and now I have this yummy little cobbler.
Thank you.
Hi there! It’s wonderful to hear how much you enjoy the newsletter and the recipes. It’s great to know that the small portion desserts, like the apple crisp and pecan pie, have become your favorites. Delighted you’re enjoying the cobbler too! Your support and feedback are truly appreciated.
If I’m gluten free what can I use instead of flour in some of these recipes???
For gluten-free options, we recommend a gluten-free 1:1 flour blend as a direct substitute for all-purpose flour. You’ll find this suggestion in the Ingredient Notes section of the apple cobbler post. This is actually our go-to substitute in most recipes. For more details on ingredient notes and substitutions, be sure to read through the post.
I made this according to recipe. This is the only recipe I have tried from Joanie that I didn’t like. My cobbler was too runny and had no crust. I thought the cobbler topping would turn in a type of crust.
I’m really sorry to hear that the cobbler didn’t turn out as expected. The topping for this recipe is actually the same as the one we’ve used in our peach and blueberry cobbler recipes, both of which have received numerous positive reviews. It’s puzzling why it turned out runny for you. One possibility could be measurement errors, as slight variations can make a big difference in baking. Regardless, I appreciate your feedback and I’m sorry it didn’t work out this time. Thank you for giving it a try.
Just copied your Apple Cobbler for One….but did not see an amount of time listed for the
actual baking. Thanks…
Bake for 25 to 28 minutes.
Can you make this in a air fryer?
While I haven’t tested this apple cobbler recipe in an air fryer, it should technically work. Just keep in mind that air fryers have different temperature and time settings, so you may need to experiment a bit to get the cobbler to your liking.
Excellent recipe.
Thank you!