Irresistible Raspberry Almond Crisp For Two: Your Perfect Mini Summer Dessert

Indulge in a delightful sweet ending to your day with our Mini Raspberry Almond Crisp For Two. This charming dessert features a vibrant, sweet, and perfectly tart raspberry filling, crowned with a crispy almond streusel topping, all baked beautifully in individual ramekins. It’s the ideal treat for a cozy evening or a light summer celebration.

The Sweet Appeal of Desserts for Two

Not long ago, I reached out to my wonderful community on Facebook, asking for recipe ideas you’d love to see. A resounding theme emerged: “dessert for two.” This clear preference instantly got my creative wheels turning. The idea of crafting small-batch desserts perfectly portioned for two people resonated deeply, promising a sweet indulgence without the commitment of a large cake or pie. It’s perfect for couples, small households, or anyone who simply wants to enjoy a fresh dessert without an abundance of leftovers.

While I have beloved recipes like my brownies for two, they can feel a bit heavy for the warmer months. Similarly, my delightful pear crisp and comforting apple crisp for two often feel more suited for the cozy ambiance of autumn. As Memorial Day approaches, signaling the unofficial start of summer, my thoughts naturally drift towards lighter, brighter flavors, especially those featuring fresh, seasonal berries.

Embracing Summer’s Bounty: Why Raspberries?

Summer is synonymous with fresh fruit desserts. There’s an undeniable joy in savoring treats like strawberry shortcake cobbler, individual portions of peach cobbler for two, or refreshing blueberry cobbler for two. Even a scoop of homemade strawberry ice cream hits differently when the sun is shining. As I reviewed my extensive recipe collection, I realized a noticeable gap: a scarcity of raspberry-centric desserts. Despite having numerous cobblers, dumplings, and even a crumble under my belt, a true raspberry crisp was missing.

And that’s precisely how this exquisite Raspberry Almond Crisp For Two came to be! It perfectly blends the vibrant, sweet-tart essence of fresh raspberries with a satisfyingly crispy almond streusel topping, all baked to golden perfection in two individual ramekins. The balance of flavors and textures is simply divine, making it an ideal candidate for a light yet indulgent summer dessert. Topped with a scoop of your favorite ice cream or gelato, it transforms into an unforgettable sweet treat, providing the perfect crescendo to any meal.

Crisp vs. Crumble: Understanding the Textural Difference

Many people often use the terms “crisp” and “crumble” interchangeably, but there’s a subtle yet significant difference that makes a crisp, well, crisp! The key differentiator lies in the inclusion of oats in the topping. While both feature a delicious fruit base covered with a streusel-like mixture, a crisp’s topping typically incorporates rolled oats, which, when baked, achieve a wonderfully crunchy and “crispy” texture. This contrast between the tender, bubbling fruit and the oatmeal-infused topping is what defines a true crisp.

For this Raspberry Almond Crisp, I elevated the crunch factor even further by adding finely chopped almonds to the streusel. Not only do they provide an extra layer of delightful texture, but they also contribute a subtle, nutty flavor. To truly enhance this almond essence and create a harmonious flavor profile, a hint of almond extract is incorporated into the raspberry filling. This thoughtful addition beautifully complements the inherent tartness of the raspberries, creating a more complex and incredibly satisfying dessert experience that is both familiar and exciting.

The ALDI Advantage: Baking Affordably Without Compromise

While the joy of baking is immense, the cost of quality ingredients can sometimes be a barrier. Butter, flour, sugar, eggs, fresh fruit – the expenses can quickly add up, especially for avid bakers. This is precisely why I wholeheartedly recommend shopping at ALDI. ALDI’s unwavering commitment to low prices makes baking a more accessible and affordable pleasure for everyone. They firmly believe that enjoying high-quality food, whether for everyday meals or special desserts, should never require overspending.

Consider the ingredients for these delicious Raspberry Almond Crisps. If you were to purchase comparable items from another grocery store, relying on their private label brands, the total cost could easily reach around $32.99. However, by choosing ALDI, you’d find the same high-quality ingredients for a significantly lower sum, often around $29.19. The savings become even more pronounced when comparing ALDI’s private labels to national brands found elsewhere. This isn’t just a minor difference; it’s a testament to ALDI’s value proposition.

While comparing exact “apples to apples” (or in this case, “raspberries to raspberries”) can sometimes be tricky due to varying product sizes, my personal experience consistently shows that you get more product for less money at ALDI. This means not only saving on a single recipe but accumulating substantial savings over an entire week’s worth of groceries, empowering you to bake more, experiment with new recipes, and enjoy quality ingredients without breaking the bank. These savings aren’t just theoretical; they translate into real-world benefits for your wallet and your kitchen.

Unpacking the Savings: A Closer Look at ALDI Prices

Let’s dive into some specific examples that highlight the impressive price differences you can expect:

• Raspberries: At ALDI, you can typically find fresh raspberries for around $2.49, compared to approximately $3.48 at another store. That’s a remarkable 28% price difference for a key ingredient in our crisp!
• Oats: For a pantry staple like oats, ALDI offers them at an incredible value of about 6 cents per ounce, while another store might charge 9 cents per ounce. This represents a substantial 33% saving, especially when you consider how often oats are used in baking and breakfast.
• Cinnamon: Spices can surprisingly add up. ALDI provides ground cinnamon for just $1.19, whereas you might pay $2.44 elsewhere – a whopping 51% difference! This makes it easier to keep your spice rack stocked.
• Butter: A fundamental baking ingredient, unsalted butter at ALDI is often priced at $2.99, versus $3.37 at another store. An 11% saving on butter can significantly impact your overall baking budget.

These individual savings, when compounded across your entire grocery list, demonstrate ALDI’s commitment to helping you bake more, enjoy more, and spend less. It allows you to transform baking from an occasional splurge into a regular, budget-friendly hobby, ensuring you can always have delicious, homemade treats like this Raspberry Almond Crisp.

The Perfect Pairing: Serving Your Raspberry Almond Crisp

Of course, no warm fruit crisp is truly complete without the perfect accompaniment! A scoop of cold, creamy ice cream or gelato is the quintessential partner for a bubbly, warm fruit crisp. For these mini Raspberry Almond Crisps, I chose to pair them with a luscious raspberry cheesecake gelato. The swirls of raspberry in the gelato echo the flavors of the crisp, creating an exquisite harmony of taste and texture. However, the beauty of this dessert lies in its versatility.

Feel absolutely free to choose your favorite flavor! A classic vanilla bean ice cream would be a magnificent choice, allowing the bright raspberry and almond flavors to shine. A rich chocolate ice cream could offer a decadent contrast, while a pistachio or even a lemon sorbet could introduce an interesting twist. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different ice cream flavors or even a dollop of freshly whipped cream. The goal is to create your ultimate sweet experience, savoring every spoonful of this delightful dessert.

Essential Tools for Your Mini Crisps

To make these delicious Raspberry Almond Crisps a breeze, here are a couple of items you might find helpful. (Note: These are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase.)

Raspberry Almond Crisp For Two

Yield:
2 mini crisps

Prep Time:
15 minutes

Cook Time:
30 minutes

Total Time:
45 minutes

Ingredients

• 6 ounces raspberries
• 1 tablespoon Baker’s Corner granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons Baker’s Corner cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Stonemill almond extract

Crisp Topping

• 2 tablespoons Baker’s Corner brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons Baker’s Corner all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons Millville old-fashioned rolled oats
• 2 tablespoons chopped Southern Grove unsalted almonds
• 1/4 teaspoon Stonemill ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon Countryside Creamery unsalted butter, cold
• Belmont Premium Desserts Raspberry Cheesecake Gelato, for serving

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Have two 6-ounce ramekins ready.
2. In a large bowl, gently mix together the raspberries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and almond extract.
3. In another bowl, mix together the brown sugar, flour, oats, almonds, and cinnamon. Using a pastry blender or two knives, cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles small pebbles.
4. Divide the raspberry mixture between the two ramekins. Top with crisp topping.
5. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the raspberries are bubbly and the topping is golden brown. Cool for 15 minutes then serve warm or at room temperature with gelato.

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Disclosure: This post is sponsored by ALDI. As always, thank you for reading and supporting brands I work with, which helps keep this blog running.