Apple Betty Recipe

This Apple Betty is an old-fashioned and comforting recipe, which is made with tart Granny Smith apples and simple wheat bread. It’s the ultimate easy dessert, ready in about an hour.

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Apple Betty Ingredients

3 whole apples, preferably Granny Smith
7 slices wheat bread
3/4 cup salted butter
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1/4 cup water

How To Make Apple Betty

Prep Oven and Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Peel and core the apples, then slice them into 1/2-inch thick wedges. Cut the bread slices into small dice or tear them into very small pieces.
Layer the Casserole: Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish or a 9-inch pie plate. Create the first layer by spreading one-third of the bread pieces, sprinkling one-third of the brown sugar, and then arranging half of the apple slices.
Repeat and Finish Layering: Repeat these layers once more: another third of the bread, another third of the brown sugar, and the remaining half of the apple slices. Finish with a final layer of the remaining bread and brown sugar on top.
Add Butter and Bake: Slice the butter and lay the slices all over the top layer. Sprinkle the 1/4 cup of water over everything. Cover the dish with foil and bake for about 40 minutes, until the apples are tender.
Brown and Serve: Remove the foil and bake for another 5-10 minutes to allow the top to get brown and slightly crisp. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving warm.

Recipe Tips

What are the best apples to use? A firm, tart apple like Granny Smith is the classic choice. It holds its shape well during baking and its tartness provides a perfect balance to the sweet brown sugar.
What kind of bread is best? A slightly stale, sturdy bread like wheat, white, or brioche works best. It will soak up the juices without becoming completely mushy. This is a fantastic recipe for using up leftover bread.
How is an Apple Betty different from a crisp or crumble? The main difference is the topping. A crisp or crumble uses a streusel-like topping made from flour, oats, sugar, and butter. An Apple Betty is a simpler, more rustic dessert that uses layers of buttered bread or breadcrumbs.
How to get a crispy top? The final 5-10 minutes of baking without the foil is key. This allows the top layer of bread and sugar to toast and caramelize, creating a slightly crunchy contrast to the soft apples underneath.

What To Serve With Apple Betty

This warm and comforting dessert is a perfect canvas for creamy and rich toppings:

A scoop of classic vanilla bean ice cream
A dollop of fresh, unsweetened whipped cream
A drizzle of heavy cream or warm caramel sauce

How To Store Apple Betty

Refrigerate: Let the Apple Betty cool completely, then cover it and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheating: Reheat individual portions in the microwave or place the entire dish back in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 15-20 minutes to warm through.

Apple Betty Nutrition Facts

Calories: 400-450 kcal
Fat: 20g
Carbohydrates: 55g
Protein: 3g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Can I add spices to this recipe?

Absolutely! A teaspoon of ground cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg mixed in with the brown sugar would be a delicious and classic addition.

Can I use a different sugar?

Brown sugar is recommended for its rich, molasses flavor that pairs perfectly with apples. However, you could use granulated sugar in a pinch, though the flavor will be different.

Can I make this ahead of time?

This dessert is best served warm from the oven. Assembling it too far in advance can make the bread soggy. However, you can slice the apples and bread ahead of time and store them separately until you’re ready to assemble and bake.

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Recipe by MarryCourse: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Calories

450

kcal

A simple, old-fashioned dessert with layers of tender apples, sweet brown sugar, and buttered bread, all baked until warm and bubbly.

Ingredients

3 Granny Smith apples
7 slices wheat bread
3/4 cup salted butter
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1/4 cup water

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish.
Peel, core, and slice the apples. Cut the bread into small pieces.
Layer ⅓ of the bread, ⅓ of the sugar, and ½ of the apples.
Repeat the layers once more.
Finish with a final layer of the remaining bread and sugar.
Top with slices of butter and sprinkle with water.
Bake covered with foil for 40 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 5-10 minutes to brown the top.
Let rest for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

This is a fantastic and easy recipe for using up slightly stale bread.
A firm, tart apple like Granny Smith provides the best flavor and texture.
Don’t skip the final browning step without the foil; it creates a lovely texture on top.
This dessert is best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.