Apple Brown Betty

If you’re an apple lover, my Apple Brown Betty recipe is just what you’re looking for. Made with sweet-tart apple slices, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon, this classic dessert is one the whole family will love!

This delicious apple dessert can be made with items you probably already have in your pantry. Our Apple Brown Betty can be made in about an hour, so it’s perfect for a busy lifestyle or last-minute demands.

Variations of this recipe have been around for over 150 years, and while the official origins are unknown, it is considered a classic American dish. The first published recipe for Apple Brown Betty was in Yale Literary Magazine in 1864, and it included ingredients like sandwich bread, sugar, and Granny Smith apples.

You don’t have to wait for autumn to make this delicious dessert. It’s perfect any time of the year! Made with simple ingredients and no additives, it’s an apple dessert you can feel about serving your family.

If you love apple desserts, make sure to try our old-fashioned apple crisp and apple strudel recipes.

If you love caramel, drizzle your finished Apple Brown Betty with caramel sauce! Or, try your hand at a recipe that calls for it, like our Caramel Apple Torte.

Tips for the Best Apple Brown Betty

• Use firm, crisp apples for the perfect texture.
• Don’t skip the lemon juice, as it keeps the apples fresh and adds more flavor.
• Don’t slice the apples too thinly. Cube them if you want a crunchier finish.
• Serve Apple Brown Betty warm to showcase the flavors.

Ingredients to Make Apple Brown Betty

Start by gathering the ingredients needed to make our delicious Apple Brown Betty recipe. In culinary terms, this is called the Mise en Place, which translates into “Everything in its Place.”

Setting up your ingredients not only helps speed up the cooking process but also helps ensure you have all of the ingredients on hand to make the recipe.

How to Make Apple Brown Betty

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Lightly grease a 9-inch square baking dish with butter or baking spray. Set aside until needed.
• Rinse the apples in cold water, then peel, core and slice them.

• Add the apple slices and lemon juice to a medium bowl and toss to coat the apple slices.
• Add the all-purpose flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and table salt to the food processor bowl.
• Pulse several times to mix the dry ingredients well.
• Add the cold butter one piece at a time.
• Pulse between each addition until all the butter is fully incorporated and forms coarse crumbs.
• Layer half of the apple slices in the baking dish.

*Some recipes use melted butter, but I prefer the coarse texture that you get when the butter is cut into the flour mixture.

• Spread half of the crumb mixture over the top of the sliced apples.
• Add the remainder of the apples over the top of the crumb mixture.
• Add the remainder of the crumb mixture, gently pushing it into the apples.
• Place the baking dish on the center rack of the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the crumbs are golden brown and crispy.

Let the Apple Brown Betty cool for 5-10 minutes, then serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or homemade whipped cream.

You can serve our Apple Brown Betty warm or at room temperature. You can eat it cold, but I recommend reheating the leftovers before serving, as it really brings out the flavors and textures in the recipe.

You’ll love the tender apples in this delicious dessert as they almost melt in your mouth with every bite. And if you’re like me, you’ll have a hard time not eating the whole thing!

Our Apple Brown Betty is the perfect dessert for family get-togethers, potlucks, and busy weeknight dinners. After one taste, I know it will become one of your favorite sweet treats.

You can microwave or air fry leftovers for just a couple of minutes! Heat 30 seconds at a time, checking frequently for temperature. Stir in between to heat evenly.

Store leftover Apple Brown Betty refrigerated in an airtight container to prevent spoilage. It will last up to 3 days– unless, of course, you can’t help but eat the whole thing first!

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