Craving an easy apple pie recipe but don’t want leftovers? These Mini Apple Pie For Two are baked in ramekins with a homemade pie crust and homemade apple pie filling. No special 6 inch pie pan needed!
It’s apple season in Pennsylvania, which means you’re going to be seeing quite a few apple recipes in September and October.
Dad and I always kick off the season by picking apples at our favorite farm south of Pittsburgh.
Since I bake with apples a lot, I had a recipe idea list leftover from last year. At the very top was this Apple Pie For Two recipe.
They are two mini apple pies baked in two ramekins. It’s like baking apple pie for one person because you get your own pie!
Or you can eat both – one now, one later. Baker’s choice.
And much like a traditional apple pie, these ramekin apple pies are double crusted – one crust for the bottom and sides then another for the top.
I could have easily skipped the bottom crust, but then it wouldn’t be apple pie.
Of course every apple pie needs homemade apple pie filling! I’ll show you how to scale down apple pie filling for exactly two mini apple pies.
Labor Day weekend is when Dad and I usually pick apples because of the extended holiday weekend, mainly because I was either away at college or at my previous job a few hours away.
Although it doesn’t matter now since I live in Pittsburgh again, we try to keep it the same weekend.
Unfortunately for us, it was pouring rain the day we had planned. The rain did let up by the afternoon, so we took a chance.
And then it rained again when we got to the farm. Fortunately, you can still pick apples in the rain, so we did.
The farmer met us up at the top of the hill by the apple orchard and told us we were the first crazy people to be picking apples in the rain that day. Hey, more apples for us, right?
Shortly afterwards, another family did join us in the orchard. I didn’t take many pictures since it was raining (plus Dad was holding the umbrella and the apple bag, so he needed me to pick the apples).
If you do get the chance to pick apples in the rain, it is quite refreshing. And cold. But we were laughing about it.
How To Make Apple Pie For Two
Time to make the pies! First, you need to make the homemade pie dough because it needs to chill for at least 1 hour.
The easiest way to make homemade pie crust is to use the food processor. Of course you can still make it by hand, but I find the food processor the most efficient and quickest way to make the dough.
Refer to my Small Pie Crust post for step by step photos.
Once the dough is ready, you want to line two 6-ounce ramekins with half of the dough. The other half will be used for the top crust. You can either fully cover the top or get fancy with some lattice work.
For more ideas on different pie crust looks, here’s a handy tutorial from Martha Stewart. I really want to try the braided crust.
These mini apple pies also make a great dessert for your Thanksgiving Dinner For Two if you don’t want to eat pumpkin.
What are the best apples for apple pie?
One question I get a lot is “which type of apples are best for apple pie?” The two varieties I picked at the farm were Ginger Gold and Gala, both which are recommended for apple pie filling because they hold their shape and don’t disintegrate after a long baking time.
Other apples you can use are Jonathans, Jonagolds, Golden Delicious, Cortland, and McIntosh. You can get away with most apple varieties, but please stay away from Red Delicious. Those are only good for snacking.
How do you prepare apples for apple pie?
It’s best to make homemade apple pie filling. I scaled down the recipe for you so you don’t have leftover pie filling. You will need roughly 1 1/2 cups of peeled, chopped apple for two ramekin apple pies.
Apple pie will last up to two days at room temperature, although I don’t think you’ll have any problems eating it before then. If you need to prolong your pies, refrigerate them to add an extra day or two.
Of course what is apple pie without ice cream on top? I topped mine with buttermilk ice cream, but you are welcome to use vanilla bean.
Looking for more? Check out my full list of recipes using apple pie filling.
Don’t want to make apple? Substitute peach pie filling or cherry pie filling.
Items You May Need (affiliate links):
Apple Pie For Two
Craving an easy apple pie recipe for two but don’t want leftovers? Here’s the perfect solution – Mini Apple Pie For Two baked in ramekins with a homemade pie crust and apple pie filling.
Ingredients
Pie Crust
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons cold shortening, cut into 3 pieces
- 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into 3 pieces
- 2 tablespoons cold water
Apple Pie Filling
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups chopped, peeled baking apples (such as Gala, Golden Delicious, or Jonagold)
Instructions
- In the bowl of a food processor, add the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the cold butter and shortening and pulse until butter and shortening are cut into the flour, looking like large pebbles. Add the water and pulse until a dough forms. Alternatively, you can do this by hand with a pastry blender.
- Divide the dough into four even pieces and flatten each piece into an evenly round disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour or until cold.
- For the apple filling: In a large saucepan, combine the water, juice, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch. Stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Stir in vanilla and apples then cook for 5 minutes or until the apples start to soften (don't fully cook them), constantly stirring. Remove from the heat and let cool.
- Preheat oven to 350F. Have two six-ounce ramekins* and a cookie sheet ready.
- Take one pie crust piece out of the refrigerator. On a lightly floured surface, roll it into a circle slightly bigger than your ramekin. Line the bottom and sides of the ramekin with the crust, patching it together if necessary. Fill the crust with half of the pie filling.
- Take another pie crust piece and roll into a circle just big enough to cover the top. Place it on top and seal the edges. Cut a few slits in the top to let steam escape. If making the lattice crust, cut the dough in strips and lay the pieces on top in a criss-cross pattern.
- Repeat these steps with the remaining pie crust and filling.
- Place each ramekin on the cookie sheet and bake 35-40 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Cool for 15 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream or cool to room temperature.
Notes
*If you use ramekins that are not six ounces, you may need to adjust the amount of pie crust and filling used. Use your best judgement.
More Ramekin Recipes
For a full list, check out my Ramekin Dessert Recipes.
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
Very cute, and enjoy that you did lattice and full crust for each. Also I enjoy your rectangular plate, I have it in orange ;-)
Carla Cardello says
I almost got it in white, but red was kinda calling my name ;)
Anita at Hungry Couple says
So, two servings as in one for me for breakfast and one for me for dessert? :)
Carla Cardello says
I like your thinking ;)
cheryl illinois says
Since I have never been good with pie crust I think I might try this with a crumb topping. My husbands favorite pies are pumpkin and apple ; mine are blueberry and fresh peach so I could make a couple of these for him. Do you think crumb topping might work?
Carla Cardello says
Yes, I think a crumb topping will work just fine. I’d reduce the baking time, maybe check on it after 20 minutes then go from there.
Vanessa @ Vanessa Baked says
I love this! I’m the one who is “stuck” eating the rest of the apple pie. Can’t let that hard work go to waste! This apple pie for two is genius!
Carla Cardello says
I hear you! As much as I’d love to eat a whole pie, my pants say otherwise. Hence, mini pies were born :D
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
Love the idea of little apple pies like these, so cute and I bet they are delicious!
Carla Cardello says
Thanks, Thalia! And yes, they were kinda delicious ;)
David says
This is perfect. Although I wouldn’t mind making a 9″ Apple pie and eating all to myself, it’s probably not the most healthy thing to do :)
Baking these small perfectly sized dessert dishes would be the perfect finale to a wonderful dinner for two. Thanks for sharing!
Carla Cardello says
Oh yes, a great way to end your evening, whether it’s date night or just catching up with a friend. Or bake one now, freeze one for later.
Meriem @ Culinary Couture says
I have been waiting for you to post this! So excited to try it!
Carla Cardello says
:)
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
How fun-apple picking!!! Michael loves apple pie but has a hard time finishing it by himself (I’m not a huge fan) so this recipe is perfect!
Carla Cardello says
He would definitely love you (even more) if you made him these mini pies!
Wilma Manasse says
So good to find recipes for one or two. By the time I make the recipes that serve several people, I have a couple of servings and have to toss the rest. Haven’t tried any of the recipes I saw, but I want to try them all.
They all are mouth-watering.
Carla says
I know how you feel! Usually it’s just me eating, so I don’t like a whole lot of leftovers, especially dessert. Enjoy the pie!
Amber says
I tried. I tried to actually adhere to a recipe for once. JUST ONCE! Alas, I failed, yet again, to follow exact directions. I love starting from a beautiful place & forging my own trail. What can I say? I’m an adventurer! What started out as a lovely dessert turned into another lovely dessert! I used a 5 1/2″ pie dish & made a lattice top. I never cook apples for pies because my husband prefers them a bit more crisp (totally a preference thing). The pie came out beautifully, as expected! Thank you so much for sharing your deliciousness with us! I wish I could post a picture to show how lovely my pie came out & to give others creativity ideas! Get creative folks! This is a perfect starting place!
Carla says
Sometimes the beauty of a recipe is making it your own. Glad you enjoyed apple pie your way!
Sara Ishaq says
Lovely. Could I use regular butter in replace of the shortening?
Carla says
Yes you can use all butter.
Angela says
I’m home alone for Thanksgiving this year, and this recipe was perfect. Turned out beautifully and was just enough for me for a couple nights. Thanks!
Carla says
Glad the pies worked out for you!
RossC says
You are an inspiration… :O)
Found this looking through you “for two” offerings..
I don’t make pie crusts so… I used the left over store bought pie crust after putting together a 7″ pie.. Shazam.. Perfect use of pie crust I have discarded in the past..
Perfect filling and just right size for the 2 of us.. Thank you..
Carla says
Hey, leftover store bought works too! Glad you enjoyed the filling recipe!
Aimee Shugarman says
LOVe the simplicity of making two small servings.
Carla says
Easier to freeze and serve too!
Saima says
What a beautiful apple pie recipe for two! I love apple pie and this is a perfectly sweet end to a dinner for two. Thanks for posting this recipe. Will definitely try it.
Carla says
Let me know how it goes!
Danielle Wolter says
what a fun day at the orchard! these little pies are just so cute! It’s perfect for me and my boyfriend.
Carla says
Hope you enjoy the recipe!
Abeer Rizvi says
This is genius! I can make this rather than a whole pie, next time my cravings hit… heheh.
Carla says
Yes! You can also eat one now and save the other one later for future pie cravings.
Chichi Uguru says
I love that this recipe is narrowed down for 2. That way I can make it anytime we don’t want to make the whole pie which is of course when the kids are not home.
Dawn @ The Kitchen and a Latte says
I can see apple picking in the rain being a relaxing time, especially when you are spending time with your dad. When I was a kid I always played in the rain – there is something about it that is so relaxing.
I love the idea of 2 personal pies – my problem is that I would probably eat both of them haha!
Janet says
Do you prepare the ramekins in any particular fashion before putting the pie crust in them? Butter? Non-stick spray? I am new to pies and didn’t see it in the directions – Thanks
Carla says
Nope! If it’s not in the directions, you don’t need to do it :)
Irma Isip says
Do you need to thaw and then prebake the bottom crust if you freeze the dough? Thank you!
Carla says
I’m assuming you’re lining the ramekins prior to freezing? Otherwise, you’ll have to thaw the dough in order to roll it out. If you do line them first, no you don’t need to thaw and prebake. It’s possible you may need more baking time if the crust isn’t done yet from starting out cold.
Cheryl DeYoung says
Made these. They were great. I might double the filling next time.
Carla says
Glad you enjoyed it!