Cooking for Two: Mixed Berry Crisp

Recipes, Sweet Treats

A bottle of champagne in a tub of ice.

Having parties is one of my favorite reasons to make a lemon chess pie, chocolate cake or a mixed berry crisp for dessert.

Not that you need a reason to make dessert, but if you did, a party is as good a reason as any.

You see, when I don’t have a good reason to bake, like for a party or to bring to someone’s house as a hostess gift, I wind up forcing baked goods on my friends and neighbors and then they accuse me of trying to make them fat.

I’m looking at you, Rachel.

When I’m not distributing cheesecake and cherry hand pies to my unsuspecting friends like they’re candy on Halloween, I’m figuring out ways to make baked goods that won’t languish on my counter before going to waste.

Because unless I’m having a party, I wind up with leftovers. Even if I could eat an entire tarte tatin or flourless chocolate cake doesn’t mean I will.

Okay, actually I’m pretty sure I couldn’t even do that (who wants to confess that they’ve eaten something containing an entire stick of butter?) but my point is, I like making desserts that won’t leave me with a lot of leftovers because, it’s a tough job, but someone has to eat them.

Another instance where I like individually portioned desserts is if I’m cooking dinner for a date or for one friend.

If you’re cooking for a date, your date is likely to

a) feign fullness from dinner to avoid looking like a dessert-hogging glutton or

b) grow rabidly excited for dessert because no one ever makes them homemade desserts.

If you chose column B, the last thing you want to is send him or her packing with leftovers – you’ll want to give them a reason to come back, right?

Whether it’s girls night in and you’re trying to avoid polishing off half a pie or it’s date night and your significant other is trying to show restraint by avoiding second helpings a small, sweet dessert is the perfect way to end a meal.

These miniature berry crisps are baked in individual ramekins but if you don’t have ramekins, check and see if any of your bowls say “oven safe” on the bottom; some brands are perfectly suitable for high heat.

Mixed Berry Crisp
Author: 
Recipe type: Sweet Treats, Cooking for One or Two
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 2 servings
 
Ingredients
  • 1 cup mixed berries, fresh or frozen (use any combination of blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and blackberries)
  • 2 tablespoons white sugar
  • 4 tablespoons flour
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons old-fashioned oats
  • 4 tablespoons light packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon chilled, unsalted butter
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Combine berries, white sugar, 1 tablespoon flour and lemon juice in large bowl; toss to blend well. Transfer berry mixture to two oven-safe bowls or ramekin dishes, at least 8-ounce capacity. Combine remaining flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt in medium bowl. Add butter; rub in with fingertips until topping holds together in small moist clumps. Sprinkle over berry mixture.
  2. Bake crisps until berry mixture bubbles thickly and topping is golden brown, about 20 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature - and they're even better with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt.
  3. Note: The berries in this dessert will be tart, so if you want it a little bit sweeter, add sugar to taste until it reaches your liking.
 

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74 Comments

  • Reply
    Berry Crisp for Two | Foodies Love This
    August 2, 2012 at 11:09 pm

    […] errors and I felt some missing ingredients (no link for you) but the second version looked good (In Good Taste).  I combined the two since there were several other […]

  • Reply
    Elle @ We can begin to feed...
    August 20, 2011 at 2:47 pm

    I have this going in my oven right now… used Splenda in place of some of the sugar. Going to share it on my blog but will be sure to give you credit, Maris.

  • Reply
    Amy
    July 17, 2011 at 9:12 pm

    I love cobblers and crisps! I often end up baking mine for two as well in individual bowls. Yours looks wonderful, and berry is my favorite!

  • Reply
    Natalie
    July 15, 2011 at 6:45 am

    Mmm, bubbling berries and crunchy oats, I’m sold!! A definite winner at the moment. I have started to eat desserts for dinner. It’s too hot for anything else!!

  • Reply
    Tracy
    July 14, 2011 at 1:40 pm

    I love simple fruit desserts like these!

  • Reply
    A Plum By Any Other Name
    July 14, 2011 at 1:23 pm

    Congrats Maris! Just saw you were featured on the Jamie Oliver Food Revolution site! You go, lady. Woo hoo!! 😉

  • Reply
    sheila @ Elements
    July 13, 2011 at 11:46 pm

    YAY! I LOVE dessert recipes that serve just one or two! I’m like you…don’t like to make huge desserts because someone’s gotta eat them! And since it’s just the two of us, if we can’t freeze it then we end up eating way too many sweets. So I like to make smaller portions or I’ll make something yummy for someone at work having a birthday which is a way for me to get a small portion.

    Anyway, I’m bookmarking this so I can make it one of these days. Thanks so much for sharing the recipe! 🙂

  • Reply
    Sherilyn @ Wholepromise
    July 13, 2011 at 11:21 pm

    Loving this, it seems so comforting to me.

  • Reply
    Tanvi@SinfullySpicy
    July 13, 2011 at 6:59 pm

    Oh lovely..what a beautiful crisp..love such simple and classic recipes

  • Reply
    Karriann Graf
    July 13, 2011 at 5:17 pm

    Thanks for sharing! Recipes for two are always welcomed!

  • Reply
    natalie (the sweets life)
    July 13, 2011 at 2:29 pm

    I need some portion-controlled desserts in my life or else I go crazy 🙂 Need to try these out! I use my ramekins for so many things but I’ve never baked in them before!

  • Reply
    rebecca
    July 13, 2011 at 1:25 pm

    would love one with ice cream and I agree small is good

  • Reply
    Maria @ Scandifoodie
    July 13, 2011 at 1:10 pm

    Yum I love recipes like this – good old fashioned oats and berries sounds just perfect!

  • Reply
    Nadia
    July 13, 2011 at 12:36 pm

    I’m in a crisp/crumble kick lately too. Just made strawberry crumble. Your crisp looks so lovely, would love to dig in with some vanilla ice cream…mmmm!

  • Reply
    Nazarina
    July 13, 2011 at 11:15 am

    Wow, I love a satisfying & crunchy berry crisp like yours in the first picture…it just beckons one to savor & want seconds!

  • Reply
    shannon
    July 13, 2011 at 10:54 am

    love the idea of individual servings instead of being faced with a large pan that i can’t stop eating 😉 fabulous!

  • Reply
    Greg
    July 13, 2011 at 10:42 am

    I love seeing recipes for two for dessert, especially when they’re this great looking! We don’t have kids so desserts in our house have to be shared or taken to work or frozen, which is just impractical to me. (My freezer fills fast.)

  • Reply
    emily (a nutritionist eats)
    July 13, 2011 at 10:35 am

    I’m so with you – I think the major reason I don’t bake/make desserts is that my fiance isn’t a huge fan (although he likes things like crisps) and we don’t really need to be eating an entire cake ourselves…even if we could. 🙂

  • Reply
    Alexandra (Veggin' Out in the Kitchen)
    July 13, 2011 at 8:19 am

    Oh my, this looks incredible!! I love crumbles/crisps but don’t make them nearly enough. Actually I don’t think I’ve ever made them! I’ve either had them at a friend’s house, or I’ve made oaty fruit bars. Time to have one in my own kitchen! 😀

    <3

  • Reply
    Kitchen Belleicious
    July 13, 2011 at 7:49 am

    Perfectly proportioned, perfectly photographed, perfectly presented, perfectly made and perfectly divine! It is just perfect!

  • Reply
    Kulsum at JourneyKitchen
    July 13, 2011 at 7:48 am

    I like individual portion of desserts for all occasions even if its my birthday. Small portions make so much sense, in eating, in making and serving. Love this crisp!

  • Reply
    Lindsay @ Pinch of Yum
    July 13, 2011 at 7:35 am

    Beautiful! I like that the recipe is for two. Perfect for us!

  • Reply
    Christina @ Sweet Pea's Kitchen
    July 13, 2011 at 7:17 am

    These miniature berry crisps are so perfect! Throw a scoop of ice cream on top and I am in heaven! Yummy! 😀

  • Reply
    Blond Duck
    July 13, 2011 at 6:31 am

    I know what I’m making this weekend!

  • Reply
    Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen
    July 13, 2011 at 6:29 am

    I love a good crisp especially fresh out of the oven with a little ice cream on top. This is something my husband and I could definitely indulge in without the fear of leftovers tempting us later.

  • Reply
    BakerbyNature
    July 13, 2011 at 5:58 am

    My neighbors seem to think it is my mission as well to make them fat… weirdos. This looks like delicious & perfect solution!

  • Reply
    Little Inbox
    July 13, 2011 at 4:28 am

    Yummy! I love anything with berries. 🙂

  • Reply
    Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
    July 13, 2011 at 3:54 am

    Hehe guilty as charged! Were you looking into my fridge at my gigantic crumble which I have been picking at when I need a sugar hit? I should have made these instead!

  • Reply
    Jamie
    July 13, 2011 at 2:53 am

    Well, you must know that I go just as nuts for dessert and simply adore making them: it is my favorite pastime! And oooh berry crumble! LOVE! And fabulous that you give quantities for two since I need no more than that – unless we have two each!

  • Reply
    Betty @ scrambled hen fruit
    July 12, 2011 at 11:40 pm

    I love having a little treat after dinner, and I also love not having any left over for me to reach into the refrigerator for the next day! I picked an insane number of blackberries yesterday, and these would be perfect. Now I just have to figure out what to do with the rest! 🙂

  • Reply
    Vivienne
    July 12, 2011 at 11:21 pm

    your post made me laugh maris, loving your logic esp with b) abt not sending your date back home with leftovers as u want them to come back LOL. yes, agreed!
    i hate having left over dessert as well thats why i dont make cakes very often!
    this recipe looks great for winter too! yay 😀

  • Reply
    yummychunklet
    July 12, 2011 at 9:57 pm

    This looks great! Love the individual ramekins!

  • Reply
    tinytearoom
    July 12, 2011 at 9:23 pm

    I prefer individual desserts. It’s not that I want my own single serving, it is that it is less daunting to eat. This crisp is exactly the kind of dessert that I like. In fact I would eat this as a weekend breakfast treat.

  • Reply
    camille
    July 12, 2011 at 8:55 pm

    My sweet, well-meaning husband got me ramekins as a stocking stuffer one year. They’re TEENSY. They would hold portions of this crisp for babies. I think I need to go ramekin shopping, because this needs to happen in my kitchen.

    Also, if you’re in that date scenario you described and your date goes for option B, you have found yourself a winner and you should definitely finagle some more dates with them.

  • Reply
    Reeni
    July 12, 2011 at 8:23 pm

    I have been trying to scale down my desserts so I don’t have so many leftovers. These are perfect! There’s something so charming about individual desserts.

  • Reply
    Sara @ Saucy Dipper
    July 12, 2011 at 7:59 pm

    I have a soft spot for “little things.” Little bowls, little spoons, little desserts….I don’t necessarily always buy these things, but I’m definitely drawn to them. You can expect an “ahhh, cute” from me in those moments. Delicious sounding dessert…I think I’d like to try it!

  • Reply
    Daryl (mom)
    July 12, 2011 at 7:56 pm

    I know I have sat down and eaten a dessert item that contained a stick of butter. Ugh! It was a lemon cake from someone’s blog and it was so darn good and I was all alone and next thing i know, little by little I ate a third of the cake in one sitting!

  • Reply
    Claire @ Un Bello Aperitivo
    July 12, 2011 at 7:28 pm

    Delicious! Your comment about an entire stick of butter made me question if I’d ever done that…that’s a scary thought, haha!

  • Reply
    Carolyn
    July 12, 2011 at 7:23 pm

    Fruit crumbles or crisps are one of my all-time favourite desserts. Like you, I love to bake and often make way more than we can eat. I am always thinking of having people over so I can bake something. For my blog, I’ve learned to halve everything and bake it in a smaller pan. I use loaf pans for bars and squares, and then write the recipe up for 8×8!

  • Reply
    Kate (What Kate is Cooking)
    July 12, 2011 at 5:46 pm

    I love recipes for one or two. Since I cook for myself only, I don’t like having too many leftovers!

  • Reply
    Roz
    July 12, 2011 at 5:40 pm

    Oh yum. I’d make this dessert for two….me and me! 🙂 Kidding, great idea about the portion control!!! I actually recently bought mini dessert glasses, complete with mini spoons for little desserts that are portion controlled. As always, thanks for your wonderful recipes and photos Maris. Have a great day.

  • Reply
    Nami @ Just One Cookbook
    July 12, 2011 at 5:17 pm

    My poor ramekins have not been used for a long time… I like individual treat like this. It’s a good portion control too. 🙂 Looks delicious!

  • Reply
    Sophia
    July 12, 2011 at 5:10 pm

    And a crisp is also the perfect excuse to eat lots of ice-cream. 🙂 Mine would have a big scoop on top! They look fab!

  • Reply
    Lauren@LittleYellowKitchen
    July 12, 2011 at 5:02 pm

    I adore crisps. They are so simple, and your are definitely right about them being great for dates! Great pics as usual Maris 🙂

  • Reply
    Lisa at Dishes of Mrs. Fish
    July 12, 2011 at 4:13 pm

    I am loving this idea! I love fruit crisps and actually have all the ingredients on hand! I’ll be trying this once it cools down tonight!

  • Reply
    kankana
    July 12, 2011 at 3:48 pm

    crumbles with berries sounds so delicious and perfect for the season 🙂

  • Reply
    Susan
    July 12, 2011 at 3:21 pm

    Great idea with the individual servings. My husband would probably eat two anyway 🙂 These sound delicious – I’ve always loved crisps.

  • Reply
    Baking Serendipity
    July 12, 2011 at 3:04 pm

    I’m in serious need of portion controlled desserts with fruit. This is a total winner 🙂

  • Reply
    Lora @cakeduchess
    July 12, 2011 at 2:01 pm

    Love your small batch cobbler idea. Looks delicious!!

  • Reply
    Gen
    July 12, 2011 at 1:44 pm

    Awesome recipe!!!!! Can’t wait to try this out! 😀

  • Reply
    Sarah Caron
    July 12, 2011 at 1:34 pm

    Those look scrumptious. I love crisps of any kind. Such a perfect little dessert.

  • Reply
    chutneyandspice
    July 12, 2011 at 12:52 pm

    those look so lovely and tasty, fruit and oats and brown sugar is a winning combination.

  • Reply
    Esther
    July 12, 2011 at 12:31 pm

    This is kind of creepy because I seriously made up almost this EXACT recipe last night for dessert. In those same ramekins and everything. It was so delicous! I could hardly believe my eyes when I came here and saw these…we must be on the same wavelength or something. Or maybe summer berries are just very inspiring. And of course this looks fab, per usual!

  • Reply
    Kathleen
    July 12, 2011 at 12:28 pm

    Cobbler is one of my all time fav’s. I love that yours makes a miny batch. Great idea!!

  • Reply
    Mary
    July 12, 2011 at 12:28 pm

    I love smaller serving recipes and this one sounds especially delicious. This is a lovely dessert. I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary

  • Reply
    sarah
    July 12, 2011 at 12:08 pm

    mmmmm. Perfect date night recipe. I love individual desserts, they seem so fancy.

  • Reply
    The Harried Cook
    July 12, 2011 at 10:17 am

    Yummy! I think this sounds fabulous… I love small-batch recipes! Thanks for sharing 🙂

  • Reply
    Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray
    July 12, 2011 at 10:07 am

    Yum yum! Yay for portion-conscious deliciousness.

  • Reply
    Courtney
    July 12, 2011 at 9:48 am

    A perfect recipe for berry season! Love me any type of berry crisp – and this looks super easy, too.

  • Reply
    bellini
    July 12, 2011 at 9:47 am

    I love this idea for a smaller portioned dessert.

  • Reply
    Bonnie
    July 12, 2011 at 9:18 am

    Love this and so glad that I found your blog after your comment on the Novice Chef today! Thank you for posting recipes in quantities for two! Added you to my RSS can’t wait to read more!

    Bonnie

  • Reply
    lisa @ smart food and fit
    July 12, 2011 at 9:09 am

    I am so loving your desserts! You should really have your own bakery!

  • Reply
    Laura @ SweetSavoryPlanet
    July 12, 2011 at 9:07 am

    Can’t beat a good crisp, especially in the summertime. The varieties are endless.

  • Reply
    Angela
    July 12, 2011 at 9:03 am

    These look yummy. I like to make desserts with portion control for myself because I am apt to overindulge if I get to cut my own slice.

  • Reply
    Alexis @ There She Goes
    July 12, 2011 at 8:51 am

    i like the portion control here…because i have no self control 🙂

  • Reply
    Nelly Rodriguez
    July 12, 2011 at 8:01 am

    Love this! Anything in a ramekin that I can eat all by myself, LOVE! Ahem…sure I love sharing as well!

  • Reply
    Heather @girlichef
    July 12, 2011 at 7:57 am

    Beautiful little crisps…and I do like the idea of making individual servings…very restaurant 😀

  • Reply
    Erica
    July 12, 2011 at 7:41 am

    This is a great idea! I will have to make this next time Josh and I have a special dinner at home

  • Reply
    Maureen
    July 12, 2011 at 7:27 am

    Anything with fruit and crunchies gets my attention. I love this portion sizing – really good idea. I toss away heaps more baked goods than I should.

  • Reply
    Three-Cookies
    July 12, 2011 at 6:51 am

    I like cooking in ramekins for portion control, if I make more I will eat more:) Berries – maybe include bananas as well since its a berry:)

  • Reply
    Junia @ Mis Pensamientos
    July 12, 2011 at 6:50 am

    hahaha love the recipe for “two”. i despise leftovers because i can’t help myself around them. lol. i always bake when i have company or else, it’s game over. everything is for moi! hahaha. love the oat crumble on the mixed berry crisp!!!

  • Reply
    Ruth
    July 12, 2011 at 6:39 am

    These look wonderful! The oats will be perfectly crunchy, and the berries, a healthy treat!

  • Reply
    alyssa - fashion fitness foodie
    July 12, 2011 at 6:29 am

    YUM! Looks healthy too – I want to bake ALL the time but I have to keep sending it to my boyfriends work…they’re gonna hate me soon.

  • Reply
    Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
    July 12, 2011 at 6:10 am

    I LOVE crumbles, crisps, cobblers…anything with fruit + oats + sugars + baking it…I am sooo on board.

    looks awesome, Maris!

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