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Apple Betty

Apple betty bakes spiced, tender apples under a deeply golden, buttery breadcrumb crust. Layered with breadcrumb and cider, it sets into visible slices of apples and crunch.
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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: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Breadcrumb topping and layers
  • 4 cup fresh breadcrumbs from day-old bread
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter, melted
Spiced apple filling
  • 6 large apples, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 0.75 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 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
Serving
  • 1 Vanilla ice cream or heavy cream for serving

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Prep and preheat
  1. Preheat the oven to 375F and grease a 9x13 baking dish so the layers release cleanly after baking.
Make crumb topping
  1. Toss the fresh breadcrumbs with the melted unsalted butter until every crumb looks evenly coated and sandy.
Season the apples
  1. Mix the apple slices with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, lemon juice, and lemon zest until the fruit looks glossy and evenly spiced.
Layer and bake
  1. Spread 1/3 of the buttered breadcrumbs in the bottom of the dish to form the base crunch.
  2. Layer half the apple mixture over the breadcrumbs and drizzle with half the apple cider or water so the apples steam as they bake.
  3. Repeat with another layer of breadcrumbs, remaining apples, and remaining apple cider or water for even moisture and texture throughout.
  4. Finish with the final layer of breadcrumbs on top to create a deeply golden crust.
  5. Bake for 40-45 minutes at 375F until the top is deeply golden and crispy and the apples are tender, with visible bubbling around the edges.
Serve
  1. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or heavy cream so the hot betty contrasts with the cold, creamy topping.

Notes

For the crispiest top, let the finished Apple Betty rest for 10 minutes so the juices thicken and the breadcrumb crust sets. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat portions at 350F until warmed through. Freezing is not recommended because the breadcrumb topping can soften. If you want a lighter option, use unsweetened apple cider and swap to a reduced-sugar brown sugar substitute for a similar spiced flavor with less added sugar.