Apple Brown Betty

Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) Headshot By Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes)
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Listen boos, this Apple Brown Betty recipe is like a warm hug from big mama. Grab those fall apples and add my spiced brown sugar butter crumble to the top before baking it up. A bowl will comfort you for reals. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and make your whole life.

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Apple brown betty recipe with three scoops of vanilla ice cream on white background with apples and crumble in the background

What Is an Apple Brown Betty?

An apple brown betty is traditionally a dessert with alternating layers of sliced apples and buttered breadcrumbs. The “brown” in the recipe name refers to the fact that it is made with brown sugar instead of white. There are a ton of variations, and ours calls for a delish crumble instead of breadcrumbs to bring out a better texture.

Ingredients you’ll need to make apple betty brown recipe

Ingredients needed to make brown apple betty recipe in clear bowls on gray background

Ingredient Notes

  • Apples: Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or McIntosh all work great in this recipe.
  • Lemon Juice: Swap in lime juice or even apple cider vinegar.
  • All purpose flour: This is the base of our crumble.
  • Granulated sugar and Brown Sugar: You can also make homemade brown sugar with granulated sugar.

How to make apple brown betty

Apple slices tossed with lemon juice added to a white baking dish.

Step 1: Toss the apple slices in the lemon juice and layer half of them in the baking dish.

Crumble added to a food processor on a white background

Step 2: In a food processor or blender, combine your flour, sugars, and spices. Pulse several times to mix well. Drop in butter 1 tablespoon at a time, pulsing in between each addition until all the butter is fully incorporated and coarse crumbs form.

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Brown sugar crumble layered over half of apple slices in a white baking dish

Step 3: Spread half of the crumbs over the apples in the baking dish.

Apple slices added over brown apple betty before baking

Step 4: Layer the second half of the apples over the top.

Remaining crumble added to apples before baking brown betty apple recipe

Step 5: Cover the apples with the second half of the crumbs.

A brown betty out of the oven with three scoops of vanilla ice cream on top

Step 6: Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the crumbs are crisp and golden brown then serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

An apple brown betty being served with two spoons scooping some out

Apple Brown Betty recipe

Sweet, tart, and juicy apples coated in spice and layered with buttery crisp crumble! Apple Brown Betty is a great use for fresh apples and the perfect Autumn breakfast or dessert!
5 from 9 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Cooling Time 5 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Author: Jocelyn Delk Adams
Course: Dessert
Servings: 6 servings

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 4-5 apples Granny smith or honeycrips, peeled, cored and sliced (about 4 cups)
  • 1 lemon juiced
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp allspice
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter cold

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease a 9-inch baking dish using baking spray (or can use butter or shortening as well).
  • Toss the apple slices in the lemon juice and layer half of them in the baking dish.
  • In a food processor or blender, combine your flour, sugars, and spices. Pulse several times to mix well. Drop in cold butter 1 tablespoon at a time, pulsing in between each addition until all the butter is fully incorporated and coarse crumbs form.
  • Spread half of the crumbs over the apples in the baking dish and layer the second half of the apples over the top. Coat the apples with the second half of the crumbs.
  • Bake the Betty for 40-45 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the crumbs are crisp and golden brown.
  • Cool for 5 minutes, then serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream over the top.

Notes

LEFTOVER STORAGE
Highly unlikely that you’ll have leftovers, but if you do, tuck them into an airtight and keep it in the fridge. Apple Brown Betty can be refrigerated for a couple days before getting too mushy.
REHEATING
Brown Betty can be reheated in the microwave with a damp paper towel draped over the top. Heat in 30 second increments until warmed through.
Alternatively, you can reheat this dessert in an oven set at 350 degrees for 5-10 minutes. Be sure to transfer your desired portion to an oven-safe baking dish!

Nutrition

Calories: 374kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 103mg | Potassium: 152mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 43g | Vitamin A: 524IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 1mg
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Caramel being drizzled over brown betty apple recipe and vanilla ice cream

Recipe Tips

  1. Pick the Right Apples: Apples like granny smith or honeycrisp are good because they are tart yet sweet and hold up to the heat without turning to mush.
  2. Keep it Uniform: Make sure you slice your apples the same size so they bake evenly.
  3. Keep It Cold: When working on your crumble, make sure that butter is cold so you get those bomb crumbs throughout.
  4. Chill Out: Let your brown betty recipe chill for a few minutes before you serve it up. It will help set up more and be easier to serve.

Recipe help

Can you make brown betty ahead?

For sure boos! You can prep the apple mixture and the crumble mixture ahead of time and store separately. Just assemble and bake off when you are ready to serve it up!

Can you use frozen apple slices?

Sure boos! Just make sure they are totally thawed and dried of excess liquid before adding into the recipe.

More Apple recipes

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Filed Under:  Crisps, Cobblers, Dumplings and Tarts, Dessert and Baking, Fall Recipes, Oven, Seasonal Recipes

Comments

  2. I’ve got this baking right now and cannot wait to dig into it. That buttery crumble married in between that apple goodness. Yum! Thanks for sharing Jocelyn! BTW you and my mom share the same first name 🙂

    Reply

  4. I can’t wait for all things apple! This brown betty will be the first thing on my must bake list!

    Reply

  5. I love that everything is layered so you get some of the buttery crumbly bits and apple in every bite. And loved the fun fact about this being Ronald Reagan’s favorite dessert! Funny!

    Reply
5 from 9 votes (1 rating without comment)

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