We all know how it goes. It’s 2014 and then it’s MLK day and then it’s February and then WHAT. Valentine’s Day. And no planning has been had.
Piggybacking off of yesterday’s list of things to do for this chocolate-laden day, I want to share a recipe as well. As fun as it is to go out for dinner, I’ve always appreciated a home-cooked meal 523432 times more. There’s something about taking the (extra) time to cook from appetizer to dessert and pretend we know a lot more about wine than we do (read: Always go red).
With spring fruit still a month away, this version of an apple cobbler for two is pretty rad way to end a home-cooked dinner. It’s so much easier than a pie, and when you’re having a last-minute moment like the two days before Valentine’s Day, you can use store-bought biscuits to top off the fruit and nobody will know the difference.
On my last visit to SoCal, a friend gave me a box of gata, an Armenian pastry that to me looks and tastes like a cross between a coffeecake and cookie. The ones I got came in smaller shapes that I could quickly slice and lay on top of the apples to bake off. Since the gata were already cooked, I softened them with butter and covered everything in foil so they wouldn’t get burnt and not-romantic-like.
If you do this with uncooked biscuit dough, leave the dish uncovered so it gets nice and golden-brown. Don’t forget to serve it hot with ice cream – the ricanelas flavor from Bi-Rite if you make this for me, please and thank you.
Gata get baking.
Apple Bake for Two
[ingredients]
Directions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Slice the apples thinly and set aside. In a skillet, melt 1 Tbsp butter and brown sugar over medium heat and pour into the bottom of two greased ramekins or a 5″ wide pan.
- In the same pan, sauté the sliced apples, cinnamon, seeds from half the vanilla bean, and 2 Tbsp butter. Cook over medium heat until the apples are tender but aren’t falling apart, about 7-10 minutes.
- Layer the apples over the brown sugar mixture in the pan and use a spatula or wooden spoon to evenly distribute everything.
- Slice the biscuits into strips and arrange over the apples in the ramekins or pans. Cut the remaining 3 Tbsp of butter into small chunks and dot on over the biscuits.
- If the biscuits are cooked (as mine were), cover the pan with foil; otherwise, leave uncovered. Bake for 30-35 minutes until apples are bubbling and have risen slightly above the biscuits.
- Let cool 10 minutes. Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream.
THIS IS BEYOND WORDS. SOUNDS SO GOOD.
Haha it was honestly such a last-minute thing, but surprisingly good! I’m thinking it’s these ridiculous biscuits I used.
Beautiful and delicious!
Thank you, and thanks for stopping by!
I need this in my stomach. NOWWW!!!!!!!
When are we going to have a cooking/dessert session?!!
Oh wow this looks absolutely fabulous. Now this would make me very happy on Vday!
Me too! Can’t wait to read about all the amazing things you must have eaten this weekend!
Yum, this looks like a perfect easy-to-make dessert for two (or one big eater like me!) LOL
Honestly, I’m in the same boat as you, especially with desserts – the more the better!
I have apples, I have a love for dessert, so this is on!
YES! If you do make it, let me know what you think!
I’d MUCH rather stay in on Valentine’s Day and have a home cooked meal too! I’m loving this easy ‘n delicious apple bake for two (although with my appetite, this would just be enough to feed me!). All your photos are gorgeous, especially the one where you can see your outline in the table – very cool!
Home cooked meals are so underrated! It’s funny that you like that outline picture because I almost didn’t include it since I thought it was weird to have an awkward shadow of my hair in it!
If you haven’t got plans for V-Day yet, I am totally willing to invite you over (another trip to SoCal perhaps? ha!) and get this apple bake on my dining room table. Looks like a lovely quick fix, thanks for sharing this!
I miss SoCal so much! I’ve literally been thinking about doing a trip in the near future! My car is being a little wonky, so as soon as I get that fixed I’m headed your way and we will HAVE to meet up.
This is just so tasty! I love apple-infused desserts.
Apples in desserts are so good – I’ve never been a fan of eating them raw, but with some sugar and baked, DONE.
I love this!!! It looks so warming and hearty — like an apple-y, cinnamon bread pudding. Perfect for this crazy weather we’ve been having over here… it’s making my stomach grumble!
Has it been crazy cold over there? It’s actually been nice, so I have little to complain about in that department. Also, apple bread pudding, what?! Can you make that please??
Sounds delicious. This would be a lovely dessert for Valentine’s Day.
Or just for me to eat it all, haha!
Baked apples are one of my favorite sweet snacks! Especially with ice cream, delicious.
I agree with Ben, I might eat the whole thing if tempted. 😉
Apples + biscuit thing + ice cream = yes. Can’t go wrong!
I want this right now – it looks to die for!!! You are so right home cooked meals > going out – any day!
Why can’t guys think like us and just make us some delicious food and desserts?!
Now, that’s ingenuity! A fabulous looking dessert. And the best part is you didn’t have to run to the store for anything.
Sometimes, you just got to have a quick dessert and this seemed to do it. Hope you had a lovely long weekend!