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Warm Buttery Apple Brown Betty

This comforting old-fashioned dessert features layers of buttery bread and tender tart apples, baked to perfection and served warm with whipped cream or ice cream.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 275
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Buttered bread layers
  • 6 slices sandwich bread, cubed or torn into small pieces
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Apple filling
  • 4 tart apples, peeled and cored Choose firm tart apples like Granny Smith, Braeburn, or Pink Lady.
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar Can substitute with coconut sugar.
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/2 Juice and zest of lemon Use fresh lemon for bright flavor.
To assemble
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, for greasing the dish and dotting
  • 4 tablespoons hot apple cider (or hot water) Water or warm orange juice can be used as a substitute.
To serve
  • Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream Serve warm for a comforting treat.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and generously butter a 9-inch square baking dish.
  2. In a medium bowl, pour melted butter over the bread pieces and toss until evenly coated.
  3. Slice apples thin or cut into 1-inch chunks, then toss with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a large bowl.
Assembly
  1. Layer half of the buttered bread in the bottom of the dish, add half of the apple mixture, then repeat with the remaining bread and apples.
  2. Dot the top with a little butter.
Baking
  1. Pour hot cider over the top, cover with foil, and bake for 35 minutes.
  2. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
Serving
  1. Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Notes

Use slightly stale bread for better texture. Ensure to toss apples with lemon juice to prevent browning. Avoid overbaking and check for tenderness.