Apple Brown Betty is a classic American dessert that layers tender, spiced apples with buttery breadcrumbs or crushed cookies, baked until golden and bubbling. Often served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, it’s a comforting, old-fashioned treat that balances sweet, tart, and buttery flavors in every bite. Perfect for fall or any cozy occasion!
Apple Brown Betty
Ingredients
- 8 cups bread slices torn (challah or brioche for a lighter dessert, whole wheat bread for a heartier dish)
- 1 pound Gala apples, peeled, cored and diced
- 1 pound Golden Delicious or Cortland apples, peeled, cored and diced
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1-1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tbsp salted butter, cut into slices
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375⁰F. Grease an 8×8 baking dish.
- Crumble the bread by hand into coarse crumbs and place in a large bowl. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, toss the peeled and diced apples with the orange juice, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Place about 1/3 of the bread crumbs mixture in the baking dish, sprinkle with half of the apple mixture. Repeat with another layer of bread crumbs and then apples, finishing off with a layer of the bread crumbs.
- Sprinkle ½ cup of water over the dish.
- Dot the top with thin slices of butter.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes, until the apples are tender. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, until the top is lightly browned.
- Serve warm with ice cream or fresh whipped cream, if desired.
Notes
To Make Ahead: Make the Brown Betty as directed and bake for the initial 45 minutes, covered. Remove the dish from the oven, uncover it, and let it cool. Refrigerate the dessert overnight. Remove the dessert from the refrigerator 2 hours before serving, to allow it to come to room temperature. If desired, warm the dessert before serving by baking at 375°F, covered for 10 minutes, and then uncovered for 10 minutes.
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