This delicious Apple Brown Betty recipe brings crisp, sweet apples with a touch of lemon together with layers of sweet cinnamon nutmeg crumbs. Top it with all-natural vanilla ice cream or warm caramel sauce to make it the ultimate comfort food dessert.
In my opinion, apples make the world a better place. Gone are the days when your choices were Granny Smith or Red Delicious. I have not touched a Red Delicious apple since I was a kid. They are just a little too mealy for me. When I bite down, I want to hear a good crisp break. So give me a Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Jazz, or Pink Lady, and I will love and appreciate every single bite.
Unlike the apple crisp, an Apple Brown Betty does not have any oats in the topping. So for all of you who don’t like oats, this is your recipe.
How do you make Apple Brown Betty?
The first thing you need to do is peel, core, and slice the apples. But not too thin because you don’t want them to get mushy when you bake them. After you cut them, toss them with a little lemon juice in a bowl and place half of the apples in the bottom of a 9-inch pie plate or 8 or 9-inch casserole dish.
Now in a food processor, combine your flour, brown sugar, sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt. Pulse a couple of times to combine. Now, drop in the butter one tablespoon at a time, pulsing once or twice between each tablespoon. Pulse until coarse crumbs form. Once the mixture is combined, crumble half of it over the apple slices. Then, top with the remaining apples and the rest of the crumb mixture. Bake for about 40-45 minutes or until very lightly browned. This recipe is especially delicious, served warm with vanilla ice cream or fresh whipped cream.
What are the best apples for Apple Brown Betty?
My go-to apples for this recipe are crisp tart apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apples. Other good choices are Braeburn or Pink Lady (also known as Cripps Pink). You can also do a mixture of any or all of these for more texture and flavor. When you cut your apples, slice them at least a quarter inch thick to help keep a little bit of firmness through the baking process. If you really like them crispy, cut them into small cubes.
Tips for making the best Apple Brown Betty
- Pick apples that are ideal for baking, like Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Granny Smith, or Pink Lady.
- Don’t slice your apples too thin because this recipe is best when the apples still have some firmness to them.
- For ease in cleaning, grease your baking dish.
- Don’t skip the lemon juice. It helps keep the apples fresh while you are getting the rest of the recipe ready and adds a delectable, zippy flavor to the final outcome.
- Always preheat your oven and load this dish as close to the center as possible.
- For best results, do not overbake this recipe.
- This recipe, like apple pie, is best served warm yet still very delicious cold.
- Please store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Other apple recipes you will love!
Apple Brown Betty
Ingredients
- 5 Honeycrisp Apples peeled cored and chunked or sliced see notes
- 1 lemon juiced about 2 tablespoons
- 3/4 cup all purpose flour
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup butter cold
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray the bottom of a 9-inch casserole dish with nonstick baking spray.
- Toss apples with lemon juice and place half of them in the bottom of a 9-inch casserole dish or 9-inch pie dish.
- In a food processor, combine your flour, brown sugar, sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt; pulse several times to combine. Drop in butter 1 tablespoon at a time pulsing between each tablespoon or until butter is fully incorporated and coarse crumbs form.
- Sprinkle half the crumbs over the apples. Top with remaining apple slices and the rest of the crumb mixture. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until very lightly browned. Serve warm.
Notes
- Pick apples that are ideal for baking, like Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Granny Smiths, or Pink Lady.
- Don't slice your apples too thin because this recipe is best when the apple still have some firmness to them.
- For ease in cleaning, grease your baking dish.
- Don't skip the lemon juice. It helps keep the apples fresh while you are getting the rest of the recipe ready and adds a noticeable delectable zippy flavor to the final outcome.
- Always preheat your oven and load this dish as close to the center as possible.
- For best results, do not overbake this recipe. The top should be very lightly browned, and the apples still be slightly crisp.
- This recipe, like apple pie, is best served warm yet still very delicious cold.
- Please store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
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Yeah Lifestyle
Pink Ladies are my favourite apples. I tried this recipe out and the pudding was really delicious with some vanilla ice cream
Sandra
Seriously ahhmazing! We will be making this for the whole apple season! Thanks for the recipe!
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Sandra!
Karen
Yuuummmmm…I can’t wait to make your recipe. We went apple picking last weekend and we have a ton of apples that we don’t know what to do with lol…Excited to try out your recipe.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Karen! Enjoy!
Sue Mchorgh
Mouthwatering! This Apple Brown Betty recipe sounds like an absolute treat for the taste buds. The combination of sweet apples, zesty lemon, and the warm embrace of cinnamon and nutmeg is sure to create a delightful explosion of flavors. And the suggestion of pairing it with vanilla ice cream or caramel sauce takes it to the next level of comfort food indulgence. Can’t wait to try this recipe and savor the deliciousness! 🍏🍨😋
Lavanda
We loved, loved, loved this recipe. Apple Brown Betty is perfect for this time of year when apples are in season.
Heather
I love apple crisps and brown Bettys! I never knew what the difference was until now! I must make one of these soon!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Heather! Enjoy!
Gust
Yum, I need to try this recipe for sure. I haven’t tried Apple Brown Betty before so I am intrigued. It looks delish!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Gust! Enjoy!
Ally
I love Apple desserts and this definitely did not disappoint! Thank you for the easy recipe!
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Ally!
Eric
So impossible to resist! My absolute favorite!
Jack
What a great recipe. Apple desserts are the best. I like eating mine with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Shilpa Bindlish
Apples are my favourite fruit. It seems so satisfying n guiltfree recipe. Thanks for sharing
Marysa
I’ve never made a brown betty before. Sounds so delicious! Lots of flavor packed in your recipe.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Marysa! Enjoy!
Sue
This apple Brown Betty was delicious. I loved it and I will make it again. Next time I am going to make it with a mixture of granny smith and Honeycrisp apples!
Tanya
My favorite dessert recipe. I could eat this every day for the rest of my life.
Debbie
This is my favorite apple dessert recipes and one that I make often. So much flavor and texture.
Stan Troisi
Great Dessert that the whole family loves. Tastes best when warm. I used to have trouble making the topping until I read this recipe. Using the food processor made a huge difference.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Stan! So glad that you and your family liked it. It is one my husband’s favorite desserts.