Apple Brown Betty

Recipe Directions

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing the baking dish
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 pounds (about 4 medium) apples*
1/3 cup granulated sugar
3 cups soft white bread crumbs
1/3 cup light or dark brown sugar, firmly packed
2 teaspoons apple pie spice or ground cinnamon
Vanilla ice cream, for serving

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 13 X 9-inch glass or ceramic baking dish with butter, and set aside.

Cut butter into 4 pieces, and place in a microwave-safe measuring cup or small dish. Microwave, covered with paper towel, on high, until melted, about 45 seconds to 1 minute. Set aside.

Squeeze lemon juice into a medium-size mixing bowl. Peel and core apples, and cut into bite-size chunks. Toss apples in lemon juice as you add. When apples are cut, add granulated sugar and stir well. Set aside.

In another medium-size mixing bowl, mix bread crumbs, melted butter brown sugar, and apple pie spice. Stir until most crumbs are coated with butter. (If not all are coated, this is fine.)

Spoon half of apples into buttered dish. Top with half of bread crumbs. Repeat with remaining apples and crumbs.

Bake, uncovered, until apples are tender and top of Betty is crisp and brown, about 45 to 55 minutes. Remove from oven, and cool 15 minutes. Serve in dessert bowls, topped with vanilla ice cream.

* Cooking Notes

Use any apple variety except Red Delicious.