Description
Apple Brown Betty is a classic, comforting American dessert featuring layers of tender baked apples, spiced with cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, combined with crunchy breadcrumbs and brown sugar. This easy-to-make dish is baked until bubbly and golden, making it a perfect cozy treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Apples
- 4 baking apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
Breadcrumb Layer
- 4 slices white sandwich bread, sliced into small dice or torn into very small pieces
Spices and Sweeteners
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed and divided (¼ cup + ¼ cup + ¼ cup)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Fat
- 3 tablespoons butter, plus additional for coating the baking dish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the ideal temperature for baking the dish evenly.
- Prepare the apples: Peel, core, and thinly slice all 4 baking apples carefully to create tender, uniform slices that will layer well.
- Prepare the bread: Slice the 4 slices of white sandwich bread into small dice or tear them into very small pieces to create the breadcrumb texture.
- Grease the baking dish: Generously coat a 7×11-inch baking dish with butter to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- First layer assembly: Add ¼ cup of brown sugar, half of the apple slices, and half of the breadcrumb pieces into the baking dish evenly.
- Add spices: Sprinkle evenly with 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground ginger, and ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg to create aromatic layers of flavor.
- Second layer assembly: Repeat the layering by adding the remaining apple slices and breadcrumb pieces on top of the spiced layer.
- Add butter slices: Slice the 3 tablespoons of butter and distribute the slices evenly over the breadcrumb layer for richness while baking.
- Sprinkle remaining sugar: Sprinkle the dish with the remaining ¼ cup brown sugar to add extra sweetness and help caramelize the top.
- Bake covered: Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes until the apples are tender and the mixture is bubbling.
- Brown the top: Remove the foil carefully during the last few minutes of baking to allow the top to brown and develop a slightly crisp texture.
Notes
- Use tart baking apples such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for balanced sweetness and texture.
- Ensure apples are sliced thinly for even cooking.
- Covering the dish with foil prevents the top from burning and helps keep moisture in.
- You can serve warm as is or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for extra indulgence.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
