Marry This Pioneer Woman Apple Brown Betty is a warm and buttery recipe, which is made with Granny Smith apples and brown sugar. It’s the ultimate comfort food recipe, ready in about 1 hour.
Jump to RecipePioneer Woman Apple Brown Betty Recipe Ingredients
- 3 whole apples, preferably Granny Smith, peeled, cored, and sliced
- 7 slices wheat bread, crusts removed and cubed or crumbled
- 3/4 c. salted butter, cut into small pieces
- 1 1/2 c. packed brown sugar
- 1/4 c. water
How To Make Pioneer Woman Apple Brown Betty Recipe
- Prep Oven and Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish.
- Create the First Layer: Spread about one-third of the bread crumbs evenly in the bottom of the prepared dish. Sprinkle one-third of the brown sugar over the bread crumbs.
- Add Apples and Repeat Layers: Arrange half of the sliced apples over the bread crumb layer. Repeat the process by layering another third of the bread crumbs and another third of the brown sugar, followed by the remaining sliced apples.
- Finish the Topping: Top the casserole with the final third of the bread crumbs and the remaining brown sugar.
- Add Butter and Bake: Dot the top of the casserole evenly with the pieces of butter. Drizzle the water over everything. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 40 minutes.
- Brown the Topping: After 40 minutes, carefully remove the foil. Return the dish to the oven and bake for another 5–10 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly. Serve warm.
Recipe Tips
- What are the best apples to use? Firm, tart apples like Granny Smith are perfect because they hold their shape during baking and their tartness balances the sweetness of the brown sugar. Honeycrisp or Braeburn are also great choices.
- Why use day-old bread? Slightly stale, day-old bread works best because it’s drier and better at soaking up the melted butter and apple juices without becoming overly mushy, leading to a better texture.
- How do I get a crispy topping? The key is the final bake without the foil. Removing the foil allows the direct heat of the oven to hit the top layer of bread crumbs and sugar, caramelizing it and turning it golden and crisp.
- Can I add other flavors? Absolutely. For a warm spice flavor, you can toss the apple slices with a teaspoon of cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg before layering them in the dish. Adding ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the bread crumb layers would also be delicious.
What To Serve With Apple Brown Betty
This old-fashioned dessert is classic comfort food and is best served warm with:
- A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream
- A dollop of fresh whipped cream
- A drizzle of caramel sauce
How To Store Apple Brown Betty
Refrigerate: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a 350°F oven until warmed through.
Apple Brown Betty Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 417 kcal
- Protein: 4g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Sodium: 250mg
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
What’s the difference between an Apple Brown Betty and an apple crisp?
The main difference is the topping. A Brown Betty uses layers of buttered bread crumbs or cubes, while an apple crisp typically has a streusel topping made from flour, oats, sugar, and butter.
Can I use white bread instead of wheat?
Yes, you can use white bread if that’s what you have on hand. The texture will be slightly softer, but it will still be delicious.
Can I assemble this ahead of time?
It’s best to assemble it right before baking to prevent the bread from becoming too soggy. However, you can peel and slice the apples and cube the bread ahead of time to make assembly quicker.
Pioneer Woman Apple Brown Betty Recipe
Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy8
servings15
minutes45
minutes417
kcalA warm, buttery baked apple dessert layered with brown sugar and bread crumbs for a taste of old-fashioned comfort in every bite.
Ingredients
3 whole apples, preferably Granny Smith
7 slices wheat bread
3/4 c. salted butter
1 1/2 c. packed brown sugar
1/4 c. water
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 9×9-inch baking dish.
- Layer one-third of the bread crumbs and one-third of the brown sugar in the dish.
- Top with half of the sliced apples.
- Repeat the layers once more, then finish with the remaining bread crumbs and brown sugar.
- Dot the top evenly with pieces of butter and drizzle with the water.
- Cover tightly with foil and bake for 40 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5–10 minutes until the top is golden brown.
Notes
- Firm Apples: Use firm apples like Granny Smith for the best texture that won’t turn to mush.
- Day-Old Bread: Slightly stale bread is ideal for soaking up the buttery, sugary goodness without becoming soggy.
- Adjust Sweetness: You can slightly adjust the amount of brown sugar based on the tartness of your apples.
- Customize It: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon to the apples or chopped pecans to the bread crumb layers for extra flavor and texture.
