Apple Brown Betty
Classic Apple Brown Betty layered with tender baked apples, buttery bread crumbs, brown sugar, and warm spices. Unlike a crisp or cobbler, repeated layers create both soft and toasted textures throughout the dessert.
Equipment
- 9 x 13 baking dish or 2-quart casserole dish
- Large mixing bowl
- Medium mixing bowl
- Chef knife or apple peeler/corer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rubber spatula or wooden spoon
- Sauté pan (for buttering bread crumbs)
- Aluminum foil (optional)
Ingredients
Apple Filling
- 6 medium apples Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Braeburn, or combination
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Buttered Bread Crumbs
- 4 cups fresh bread crumbs or coarse day-old bread crumbs
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Optional for Serving
- Vanilla ice cream
- Fresh whipped cream
- Salted caramel sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly butter a 9 x 13 baking dish.
- Peel, core, and slice 6 apples into approximately ¼-inch slices.
- In a large bowl combine apples, ⅓ cup granulated sugar, ¼ cup brown sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1½ teaspoons cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon kosher salt. Toss evenly.
- In a separate bowl combine 4 cups bread crumbs, 8 tablespoons melted butter, ½ cup brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Mix until crumbs are evenly coated.
- Spread a thin layer of crumb mixture into the baking dish.
- Add a layer of apples.
- Repeat layers of crumbs and apples until ingredients are used, finishing with a final crumb layer.
- Cover loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove foil and continue baking for 15–20 minutes, until apples are tender and the top becomes golden brown.
- Rest 10–15 minutes before serving.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Notes
Notes
Combining sweet and tart apples creates better flavor and texture balance.
Day-old bread gives more texture than packaged fine crumbs.
Brioche creates a richer Brown Betty while sandwich bread creates a more traditional version.
The dessert thickens slightly as it rests.
Combining sweet and tart apples creates better flavor and texture balance.
Day-old bread gives more texture than packaged fine crumbs.
Brioche creates a richer Brown Betty while sandwich bread creates a more traditional version.
The dessert thickens slightly as it rests.
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