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Apple Betty

Apple Betty is a baked American dessert with spiced, caramelized apple layers and a deeply golden, crispy buttered breadcrumb topping. It’s assembled in a baking dish for tender apples and crunchy, buttery crumbs in every bite.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 430
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

breadcrumbs topping
  • 4 cup fresh breadcrumbs from day-old bread Use bread crumbs pulled from day-old bread for best texture.
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter, melted Melt and cool slightly so it coats evenly.
spiced apples
  • 6 large apples, peeled and thinly sliced Slice thin for tender apples by the bake time.
  • 0.75 cup brown sugar, packed Packed brown sugar creates a richer caramel layer.
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 0.25 tsp nutmeg
  • 0.25 tsp allspice
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 0.25 cup apple cider or water Helps steam the apples between crumb layers.
serving
  • 1 vanilla ice cream or heavy cream for serving Serve warm for contrast with the crispy topping.

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Prep and assemble
  1. Preheat the oven to 375F and grease a 9x13 baking dish.
  2. Toss the fresh breadcrumbs with the melted unsalted butter until evenly coated.
  3. Mix the apple slices with the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, lemon juice, lemon zest, and apple cider or water.
  4. Spread 1/3 of the buttered breadcrumbs in the bottom of the dish.
  5. Layer half the apple mixture over the breadcrumbs and drizzle with half of the remaining cider.
  6. Repeat with another layer of breadcrumbs, remaining apples, remaining cider, and finish with the final layer of breadcrumbs on top.
Bake and serve
  1. Bake 40-45 minutes at 375F until the top is deeply golden and crispy and the apples are tender (look for crisp edges and bubbling at the center).
  2. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or heavy cream for a cool, creamy contrast to the crisp topping.

Notes

For cleaner layers, spread the apples evenly and press the top crumbs lightly so they bake into an even crust. Store covered in the refrigerator up to 3 days; reheat in a 350F oven until warmed and re-crisped, about 10-15 minutes. Freezing is yes, but the breadcrumb crispness may soften after thawing. If you prefer a lighter option, use reduced-fat butter for the topping.