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Apple Betty

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a close up shot of a spoon with a piece of Apple Betty
You are going to love the warm, fruity flavor that this apple Betty dessert is packed with!
Jump to Recipe
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 30 minutes
Servings6
Table of Contents
  1. Apple Betty Ingredients
  2. Substitutions And Additions
  3. How To Make This Apple Betty Recipe
  4. How To Serve
  5. Storing Apple Brown Betty
  6. Why We Love This Recipe
  7. More Recipes You’ll Love
  8. JUMP TO RECIPE
  9. Even More Recipes You’ll Love

Our apple Betty is a vintage dessert that is the best way to use all those fresh apples this fall. Featuring crisp sweet apples that are cooked to perfection and mixed with cinnamon sugar-coated bread pieces to make a warm and comforting dessert.

close up shot of apple betty with a scoop of ice cream on top served over a white plate

Apple Betty Ingredients

grandma's apple betty raw ingredients that are labeled
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This apple Betty recipe boasts tart apple slices bathed in brown sugar and a touch of cinnamon, delivering a sweet and tangy sensation.

A splash of lemon juice brightens the dish with a refreshing citrus note, while the bread cubes create a golden, slightly crunchy topping.

You’ll need:

  • ¼ cup of unsalted margarine, melted
  • 1½ cups of day-old bread cubes
  • 4 to 5 cups of tart apple slices
  • ¾ cup of brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon of table salt
  • 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
  • ⅓ cup of water

Substitutions And Additions

APPLES: Using tart apples will yield the best result in this easy dessert.

Pink Lady, Granny Smith, Braeburn, McIntosh, Jonathan, and Empire apples are all good choices.

BREAD: Any type of stale bread can be used. This is the perfect way to get rid of stale sandwich bread, hot dog buns, or even croissants.

GROUND CINNAMON: To add depth to the spice profile, consider using a blend of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.

This combination can offer a more complex flavor profile, enhancing the overall aromatic experience of your apple brown Betty.

How To Make This Apple Betty Recipe

We will show you how to make this old-fashioned apple recipe with our step-by-step instructions below.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

You can prepare this recipe up to a day in advance and keep it refrigerated until you are ready to bake.

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Mix the melted margarine with bread cubes.

margarine and bread crumb mix in clear bowls

STEP TWO: Combine the sliced apples with the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.

PRO TIP:

Be sure to slice your apples consistently so that they cook evenly. 

STEP THREE: Place a third of the bread cubes in the bottom of a greased 2-quart baking dish.

apple, sugar, cinnamon and salt combined in a bowl

STEP FOUR: Cover the bottom of the pan with half of the apple mixture.

bottom of the pan covered with half of the apples

STEP FIVE: Repeat with a second layer of a third of the bread cubes and the remaining apples, then top with the last third of the bread cubes.

layer topped with the last third of bread crumbs in a pan

STEP SIX: Combine the lemon juice and water. Then, pour this mixture over everything in your pan.

lemon juice poured over everything in a pan

STEP SEVEN: Cover and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, uncover and continue to bake for 30 minutes more.

PRO TIP:

Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your dessert as the suggested baking time approaches.

grandma's apple betty in a white casserole pan before being baked and after being baked

How To Serve

I love serving this fall dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a spoonful of whipped cream on top of the baked apples, especially when it’s still a bit warm.

The ice cream melts, and it’s so delicious. You can also add a drizzle of warm caramel sauce to give it a caramel apple flavor.

These apple pie bites and caramel apple crisp bites are a couple of other easy recipes to make with fresh apples. Both are warm and delicious fruit-filled treats, just like this dessert.

Storing Apple Brown Betty

It’s essential to know how to store and reheat this tasty dessert to enjoy it later.

MAKE AHEAD: If you’re planning ahead or have some extra servings, you can prepare this dessert a day or two in advance.

Follow the recipe as usual, let it cool completely, and then cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

Store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. This can be a fantastic time-saver when you’re hosting guests or craving a quick dessert fix.

IN THE FRIDGE: Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or at room temperature for about three days.

If storing them in the fridge, be sure to warm them up in the microwave for a bit before serving.

IN THE FREEZER: You can freeze your cooled apple Betty by covering it with foil and placing it in the freezer for up to three months.

When ready to enjoy, let it thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat it in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes at 350°F.

REHEATING: When it’s time to enjoy your stored apple brown Betty, you have a few reheating options.

In the oven, preheat it to 350°F (175°C), place the dessert on a baking sheet, and warm it for about 15-20 minutes or until it’s heated through.

Alternatively, you can use the microwave for a quicker fix. Heat individual servings in 30-second intervals, checking the temperature between each interval until it’s warmed.

Why We Love This Recipe

COMFORT IN EVERY BITE: Classic apple brown Betty offers the warmth and comfort of a traditional dessert.

SIMPLE INGREDIENTS: This recipe uses everyday ingredients like bread, apples, sugar, and spices.

EASE OF PREPARATION: The step-by-step instructions ensure a foolproof dessert that anyone can master.

close up shot of grandma's apple betty in a white casserole pan with a 3 scoops of ice cream on the top

Time to plan a trip to the apple orchard! Now that you have this easy recipe for apple Betty, you can rest assured that your fresh apples will get put to good use. You are going to love the warm, buttery breadcrumb topping and fruity flavor that this dessert is packed with!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the difference between an apple crisp recipe and an apple Betty?

The difference between these two desserts is that the topping on an apple Betty is mostly the bread, sugar, and butter that makes it crispy. An apple crisp topping, on the other hand, typically contains oats.

Can I use a different type of apple for this recipe?

The best apples for this delicious dessert are apples that are on the tart side, including Granny Smith, Empire, Pink Lady, or McIntosh.

Can I freeze this apple Betty?

This apple dessert recipe can be kept in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat in the oven at 350°F for 20-25 minutes.

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a close up shot of a spoon with a piece of Apple Betty

Apple Betty

5 from 2 votes
You are going to love the warm, fruity flavor that this apple Betty dessert is packed with!
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • ¼ cup unsalted margarine, melted
  • cups day-old bread cubes
  • 4 to 5 cups tart apple slices
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon table salt
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • cup water

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Mix the melted margarine with the bread cubes.
  • Combine the apples with the sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
  • Place ⅓ of the bread cubes in the bottom of a greased 2-quart baking dish.
  • Cover the bottom of the pan with half of the apples.
  • Repeat with a second layer of ⅓ of the bread cubes and the remaining apples, then top with the last third of the bread cubes.
  • Combine the lemon juice and water. Then, pour this mixture over everything in your pan.
  • Cover and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, uncover and continue to bake for 30 minutes more.

Notes

  • You can prepare this recipe up to a day in advance and keep it refrigerated until you are ready to bake.
  • Be sure to slice your apples consistently so that they cook evenly.
  • Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your dessert as the suggested baking time approaches.

Nutrition

Serving: 6g | Calories: 255kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 268mg | Potassium: 151mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 383IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 1mg
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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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