There's something absolutely magical about September in Connecticut. The leaves are just beginning to hint at their autumn transformation, there's a gentle crispness in the air, and the local orchards are heavy with perfectly tart Granny Smith apples. Today, I found myself with just one beautiful apple and a craving for something warm and comforting – the perfect excuse to create a single-serving apple crisp that captures all the cozy essence of fall in one little ramekin.

This isn't your typical apple crisp, though. I decided to swap out refined sugar for pure maple syrup in the filling, and let me tell you, it was a game-changer. The maple syrup doesn't just sweeten – it adds this gorgeous depth and complexity that pairs beautifully with the tartness of the Granny Smith. Combined with warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, every bite tastes like autumn itself.

What I love most about this recipe is how it perfectly balances indulgence with portion control. Sometimes you just want dessert for one, and there's no shame in that game! The contrast between the tender, maple-kissed apple filling and the golden, buttery oat topping is absolutely divine. The oats add such a lovely texture – slightly chewy, slightly crunchy, and completely satisfying.

I used cornstarch to thicken the filling just enough so it holds together beautifully without being gummy. And that final sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg on top? It creates the most gorgeous aromatic experience when it comes out of the oven. Your kitchen will smell like a New England autumn afternoon.

The best part? This little beauty is ready in about 30 minutes from start to finish. Perfect for when you're craving something homemade but don't want to commit to a whole pan of dessert. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream, and you've got yourself a restaurant-quality dessert made right in your own kitchen. 

Single-Serving Maple Apple Crisp

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20-25 minutes
Serves: 1
For the Filling:

• 1 medium Granny Smith apple, peeled and diced
• 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch of ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch

For the Topping:

• 3 tablespoons old-fashioned rolled oats
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon cold butter, cubed
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• Pinch of ground cinnamon
• Pinch of ground nutmeg

Instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 6-ounce ramekin or small baking dish.
• In a small bowl, combine the diced apple, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch. Toss until the apple pieces are well coated. Transfer to your prepared ramekin.
• In the same bowl, combine oats, flour, cold butter cubes, and brown sugar. Using your fingers or a pastry cutter, work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some larger butter pieces remaining.
• Sprinkle the oat mixture evenly over the apple filling. Finish with a light dusting of cinnamon and nutmeg.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges.
• Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm, preferably with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Baker's Notes: Don't skip the cornstarch – it helps create that perfect, slightly thickened filling consistency. If your butter gets too warm while making the topping, pop it in the fridge for a few minutes to firm up again.