Can I make these crumbles gluten-free?

Absolutely! Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free flour blend and make sure your oats are certified gluten-free. The texture might be slightly different, but the result will still be delicious.

What if my berries are very sweet or very tart?

This recipe is wonderfully flexible. If your berries are particularly sweet, reduce the sugar to 1 tablespoon. For very tart berries, increase to 3 tablespoons. Taste your berries before mixing and adjust accordingly.

Can I prepare these in advance for a dinner party?

Yes! Assemble the crumbles completely up to the point of baking, then refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, bake as directed, adding 2-3 minutes to the baking time since they'll be starting cold.

Why is my berry filling too runny?

This could happen if your berries were particularly juicy or if the cornstarch wasn't thoroughly mixed with the berries. For extra insurance against runniness, you can increase the cornstarch to 3/4 tablespoon, particularly when using frozen berries.

Two Person Raspberry Crumbles Recipe

Name: Two Person Raspberry Crumbles Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 24 min
Total time: 29 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups of fresh or frozen berries; 2 tablespoons sugar (adjust based on the tartness of your berries); 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch; Squeeze of lemon juice; 4 tablespoons butter, melted; 1/2 cup rolled oats; 1/2 cup flour; 1/4 cup brown sugar; 1/4 teaspoon baking powder; Pinch of salt

This incredibly simple raspberry crumble is the perfect little dessert when you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to make a full-sized dish. With juicy berries nestled under a golden, buttery oat topping, these individual crumbles deliver all the comfort of a traditional fruit dessert in just the right size for two. Ready in under 30 minutes, they’re the ideal solution for weeknight dessert cravings!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect Portion Size: Made specifically for two people – no more struggling with scaling down large recipes or dealing with excessive leftovers!
Quick and Simple: From prep to table in less than 30 minutes, making it perfect for spontaneous dessert cravings or intimate dinners.
Customizable: Works beautifully with whatever berries you have on hand – fresh or frozen – and can be adjusted to your preferred sweetness level.
Impressive Results: Despite its simplicity, the contrast between the warm, bubbling fruit and crisp, buttery topping creates a dessert that feels special enough for date night.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Berry Mixture

Berries: The star of the show! Use fresh or frozen raspberries for that perfect balance of sweet and tart. Frozen berries work wonderfully here – no need to thaw first.
Sugar: Balances the natural tartness of raspberries. The beauty is you can adjust based on how sweet your berries are and your personal preference.
Cornstarch: This magical ingredient thickens the berry juices as they cook, transforming them into that perfect jammy consistency.
Lemon Juice: Just a small squeeze brightens the flavor and enhances the natural berry taste without making things taste lemony.

Crumble Layer

Butter: Creates that irresistible rich, buttery flavor and helps bind the crumble together while adding wonderful texture.
Rolled Oats: Provides a hearty texture and slight chewiness that makes the crumble topping so satisfying.
Flour: Works with butter to create the perfect crumbly texture – not too hard, not too soft.
Brown Sugar: Adds deeper caramel notes than white sugar, making the crumble taste more complex and delicious.
Baking Powder: A small amount helps the crumble topping rise slightly for the perfect texture.
Salt: Just a pinch enhances all the other flavors and balances the sweetness.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Berry Options

Mix and match different berries for unique flavor combinations! Try blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, or a medley of whatever you have on hand. Each creates a slightly different flavor profile but works perfectly with the same base recipe.

Warm Spices

Add cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom to the crumble mixture for a warm, spiced version that’s especially comforting during colder months.

Nutty Twist

Incorporate chopped almonds, pecans, or walnuts into the crumble topping for added crunch and flavor depth.

Citrus Variations

Swap the lemon juice for orange zest in the berry mixture for a hint of fragrant citrus that pairs beautifully with raspberries.

How to Make Two Person Raspberry Crumbles

Step 1: Prepare

Preheat your oven to 350°F and gather two 4-inch ramekins. This is the perfect time to melt your butter so it’s ready when needed.

Step 2: Mix the Layers

In one bowl, gently combine the berries, sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice, being careful not to crush the berries too much. In a separate bowl, mix the melted butter, oats, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt until it forms a crumbly texture.

Step 3: Create the Base

Take about two-thirds of your crumble mixture and press it firmly into the bottom of each ramekin, creating an even layer. Pop these into the preheated oven for about 5 minutes to set the crust.

Step 4: Add Berries and Topping

Remove the ramekins from the oven and divide the berry mixture evenly between them. Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture over the berries, allowing some of that gorgeous fruit to peek through.

Step 5: Final Bake

Return the ramekins to the oven and bake for 7-10 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the berry filling is bubbling around the edges and the crumble topping has turned a beautiful golden brown.

Step 6: Cool Slightly

Let the crumbles rest for about 10 minutes before serving – if you can wait that long! This helps the filling set slightly and prevents tongue-burning, though I completely understand if patience fails you here.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Berry Preparation: If using frozen berries, don’t thaw them first – add them frozen to prevent excess liquid and maintain their shape.
Crust Consistency: For a firmer bottom crust, bake it for 7-8 minutes instead of 5 before adding the berry mixture.
Perfect Crumble: Don’t overmix the crumble ingredients. Stop once the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some larger pieces – this creates the best texture.
Ramekin Alternatives: No ramekins? Small oven-safe bowls, individual pie dishes, or even large muffin tins can work in a pinch.

How to Serve

À la Mode

Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream that slowly melts into the warm crumble – this classic pairing is popular for good reason!

Creamy Additions

A dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream or a spoonful of Greek yogurt adds a wonderful creamy contrast to the warm crumble.

Temperature Choices

These crumbles are delicious warm from the oven, at room temperature, or even cold from the refrigerator the next day (if they last that long!).

Garnishes

A light dusting of powdered sugar, a few fresh berries, or a small sprig of mint makes these simple desserts look extra special for a date night.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cover cooled crumbles with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The topping will soften slightly but will still be delicious.

Freezing

You can freeze the unbaked assembled crumbles for up to 1 month. Wrap well in plastic wrap and foil, then bake from frozen, adding about 5-7 minutes to the baking time.

Reheating

Warm refrigerated crumbles in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes or microwave individual portions for 30-45 seconds until heated through.

FAQs

Can I make these crumbles gluten-free?

Absolutely! Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free flour blend and make sure your oats are certified gluten-free. The texture might be slightly different, but the result will still be delicious.
What if my berries are very sweet or very tart?

This recipe is wonderfully flexible. If your berries are particularly sweet, reduce the sugar to 1 tablespoon. For very tart berries, increase to 3 tablespoons. Taste your berries before mixing and adjust accordingly.
Can I prepare these in advance for a dinner party?

Yes! Assemble the crumbles completely up to the point of baking, then refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, bake as directed, adding 2-3 minutes to the baking time since they’ll be starting cold.
Why is my berry filling too runny?

This could happen if your berries were particularly juicy or if the cornstarch wasn’t thoroughly mixed with the berries. For extra insurance against runniness, you can increase the cornstarch to 3/4 tablespoon, particularly when using frozen berries.

Final Thoughts

These Two Person Raspberry Crumbles are the perfect solution when you want something sweet, homemade, and utterly delicious without the commitment of a full-sized dessert. They strike that perfect balance between effort and reward – minimal prep work with maximum flavor payoff. Whether you’re planning a romantic dinner or simply treating yourself after a long day, these little crumbles deliver big comfort in just the right size. Go ahead and try them tonight – your sweet tooth will thank you!