Apple brown betty is like an apple crisp but a little different and all the comfort you ever want in an apple dessert. We love to eat it warm and a la mode!

When we were first married we would wander through William’s Sonoma and dream of all the amazing kitchen gadgets and items we could one day own. It was like magic in there. 

One day Cade and I were wandering through the store looking at all of the fall items that were filling the shelves and dreaming up future holiday dinners with friends and family. 

The store even smelled good! I mean, it was almost as if they were literally cooking in the store. 

AND THEY WERE!!!

What’s better for poor newlywed college students than free food?!

Apple brown Betty in a dessert dish. There are sliced apples with a brown bread crumb topping. The desssert is topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. A fork is on the plate next to the apple brown Betty. Apples, a baking dish with the dessert, and a linen napkin are behind the dessert plate.

A woman emerged from the back with little samples of something called an apple brown betty. I’d never heard of it, but it looked like apple crisp, one of my most favorite things ever. 

While an apple brown betty is similar, it’s got a bread crumb topping instead of oats and my goodness you are going to LOVE IT. 

I had saved the recipe for years but never made it… until now! Well, it’s an adapted version but you’re going to go crazy for it!

What Ingredients are Needed for Apple Brown Betty?

We are going to split up the ingredients into two lists – one for the topping and another for the filling. Nothing too surprising here except for maybe the bread slices which make apple brown betty so irresistible. For exact measurements, head down to the recipe card at the end of the post.

Topping

  • Bread Slices (we always buy wheat bread, so that’s what we had, but you can use whatever bread you have on hand)
  • Butter
  • Sugar
  • Graham Cracker Crumbs

Two slices of brown bread, containers of melted butter, salt, cinnamon and sugar all sitting on a table top.

Filling

  • Apples
  • Apple Juice
  • Sugar
  • Brown Sugar
  • Cinnamon
  • Nutmeg
  • Butter

5 green apples, and containers of cubed butter, cinnamon, bread crumbs, and sugar.

How to Make Apple Brown Betty

Let’s break up the instructions into two sections as well- topping and filling. Again, head down to the full recipe card for the details of making this recipe.

Topping

  • Place the bread in a food processor and run it until you have coarse crumbs. Spread them on a large baking sheet and toast the crumbs until they are golden at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Place the toasted crumbs into a bowl and mix with the melted butter, graham cracker crumbs and sugar.

Filling

  • Peel and slice the apples.
  • Toss the apples with the apple juice, sugars and spices in a large bowl.
  • Place them into a skillet and cook them over medium heat until tender.
  • Divide the apples in half and put one half into a blender with any liquid that has accumulated in the pan. Pulse the blender until you have chunky applesauce. Then add it back to the cooked apples.
  • Put half of the apple mixture into an 8″ baking dish and top with half of the crumb topping.
  • Layer on the rest of the apple mixture and top with the rest of the crumb topping.
  • Cover the baking dish with foil and bake. Then remove the foil and let the top brown for a few minutes.

As I mentioned, we like to eat this warm and top it with ice cream or whipped cream. Ok, I’m drooling now!

A white baking dish filled with sliced apples and topped with brown bread crumbs. There is a serving spoon in the dish and spoons and dessert dishes filled with apple brown betty in the background.

What Is Apple Brown Betty?

Apple brown betty is an American dessert made from apples and sweetened crumbs. The crumbs come from toasted bread slices and graham crackers.

A white baking dish filled with apple brown betty. A serving spoon is in the dish and there are two scoops of vanilla ice cream on top of the apple brown Betty. An apple is next to the dish and there are dessert plates in the background.

Are Cooked Apples Nutritious?

Cooking can result in the loss of some of the nutrition.

But, cooked apples are still very nutritious.

Apple Brown Betty on a dessert plate. There are slices of apples, with a brown bread crumb topping. The dessert has one scoop of vanilla ice cream on top and a fork next to it on the plate. Some green apples are in the background.

Does Apple Brown Betty Need To Be Refrigerated?

You could store left over apple brown betty in the pantry, but, it is probably best to store it in the refrigerator. Either way, you’ll want to store it in an airtight container.

This recipe will keep for about 5 days in the refrigerator.

Apple Brown Betty on a dessert plate. The sliced apples have a brown bread crumb topping and there is a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and a sprig of fresh peppermint are on top. A fork is on the plate and another serving of the dessert is in the background.

What Apples Are Best For Baking?

Granny Smith apples are the first choice for baking.

Johnathan, Jonagold, Honey Crisp and Braeburn are also great cooking apples.

Using a combination of Granny Smith with any of the others listed makes for a delicious flavor. Granny Smith apples are tart and hold up great to all the sweetness that will be added.

Apple Brown Betty on a dessert plate. It is topped with a scoop of ice cream and a fork is on the plate.

Can You Freeze Apple Brown Betty?

Apple Brown Betty can be frozen before or after baking. If you freeze it after baking it, follow the instructions as listed and then let the brown better cool completely before wrapping in plastic wrap and storing.

If you freeze before baking, we recommend freezing the topping and filling separately and then combining them when you’re ready to bake it.

Always cover well before freezing.

A serving of Apple Brown Betty on a white dessert plate. The Dessert is topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a sprig of fresh peppermint. Another serving of the dessert is in the background.

Let’s broaden our horizons and try apple brown betty this time around rather than an apple crisp or apple cobbler! You’re going to love this!

More Easy Apple Desserts: 

Apple Brown Betty

5 from 1 vote
Servings: 6
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Description

A delicious cinnamon apple mixture topped with sweetened bread crumbs for the most delicious apple brown betty you or your grandma has ever had.

Ingredients 

Topping

  • 2 slices Bread
  • 6 Tablespoons Melted Butter
  • 1 Tablespoon Sugar
  • 1 Cup Graham Cracker Crumbs

Filling

  • 4 Cups Apples, peeled, cored and cut into thin slices. see note
  • 1/4 Cup Apple Juice
  • 1/2 Cup Sugar
  • 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
  • 1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
  • 6 Tablespoons Butter, unsalted

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • In the bowl of a food processor, process bread until coarse crumbs. Transfer to a large baking sheet and spread in even layer. Toast until golden, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the oven and transfer to a bowl and mix with melted butter, grahams and granulated sugar.
  • In a large bowl, toss the apples with the apple juice, sugars, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add to a skillet over medium heat and cook until tender, about 8-10 minutes, stirring often.
  • Remove half of the apples to a blender with any liquid from the pan. Pulse until you've made a chunky applesauce. Add back with the remaining apples.
  • Mound 1/2 the apples in a 8" baking pan.
  • Sprinkle half of the crumbs over the apples.
  • Top with more apples, then sprinkle the remaining crumbs on top. Cover with foil, and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and brown for a few minutes.
  • Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.

Notes

Honeycrisp, jonathan, or rave apples are our favorites. Or use a combination of apples like sweet tango and granny smith. 
This recipe will keep for about 5 days in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cupCalories: 418kcalCarbohydrates: 75gProtein: 3gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 273mgPotassium: 307mgFiber: 6gSugar: 53gVitamin A: 470IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 65mgIron: 1mg
Author: Sweet Basil
Course: Over 100 Favorite Fruit Dessert Recipes
Cuisine: American

Recommended Products

Previous
Next

Apple brown Betty in a dessert dish. There are sliced apples with a brown bread crumb topping. The desssert is topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. A fork is on the plate next to the apple brown Betty. Apples, a baking dish with the dessert, and a linen napkin are behind the dessert plate.