Description
Apple Brown Betty is a classic American dessert made with layers of cinnamon-spiced apples and buttery, sweetened bread crumbs or cubes. It’s a cozy, old-fashioned treat that’s easy to prepare and incredibly comforting.
Ingredients
- 4–5 apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/3 cup brown sugar (for apples)
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar (optional)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 4 cups day-old bread, torn or cubed (white, whole wheat, or brioche)
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1/3 cup brown sugar (for bread mixture)
- Optional: 1/4 cup raisins or chopped nuts
- Optional: 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease an 8×8-inch or similar-sized baking dish.
- In a large bowl, toss sliced apples with lemon juice, brown sugar, granulated sugar (if using), cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and optional raisins or vanilla extract. Set aside.
- In another bowl, mix torn bread with melted butter and brown sugar until well coated. Stir in chopped nuts if using.
- Layer half of the bread mixture in the bottom of the prepared dish. Spread the apple mixture evenly over the bread, then top with the remaining bread mixture. Press down gently.
- Cover loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes, or until the top is golden and crisp and the apples are tender.
- Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream if desired.
Notes
- Day-old or slightly stale bread works best to soak up flavors without becoming mushy.
- Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for balanced flavor.
- Assemble in advance and refrigerate for a few hours before baking.
- Add oats or nuts for extra texture.
- Freeze leftovers in airtight containers for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
