There are a number of stories about how Brown Betty was born, but no one seems quite sure who Betty might have been. She should have perhaps used her last name as well as her first on her recipe. Then again, it’s kind of fun for all Betty’s of the world to make and claim this simple but yummy dish.
Apple Betty was a family dish originally. It was quick and easy to make. It could even be made on the trail which was important when folks drove wagons pulled by horses and took days and days to get from one place to another. In the case of traveling Brown Betty, dried apples were used. Today, most people use fresh apples, though dried are fine. Just add more water to rehydrate the apples.
There are a number of versions of Apple Brown Betty. This one is a traditional Appalachian mountain type of “Betty.” It's a very "typical" Brown Betty, and it's really tasty.
Apple Brown Betty Recipe
- 2 cups coarse day-old (rather dry) bread
- 6 cups baking apples (tart like Granny Smith)
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- 3 TBS lemon juice
- ¼ cup water
- 2 TBS margarine (or butter)
Directions:
- Grease a 11 x 9 (or close) baking dish – the long type of baking dish. The dish is traditionally buttered, but Crisco or Pam spray are fine too.
- Sprinkle approximately 1/3 of the bread crumbs over the bottom of the baking dish.
- Place ½ of the apples over the bread crumbs.
- Mix together the sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Put ½ of this sugar mixture over the apples.
- As you can see, you’re making layers here. Add 1/3 of bread crumbs and then the rest of the apples sprinkled with the rest of the sugar mixture. Top with the final 1/3 of the bread crumbs.
- Splash the lemon juice and water over the top of the Apple Brown Betty.
- Cut the butter up in small chunks and place around on top of the apple casserole.
- Bake covered at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes.
- Remove cover and bake an additional 15 minutes.
Apple Brown Betty can be served hot or cold. It’s wonderful hot with ice cream on top. It’s also delicious with whipped cream. Just serve it as you would serve apple pie, but you don't have to worry about the pastry crust when you make Apple Brown Betty.
Other favorite Southern apple recipes:
Southern Apple Pie with Crumble Top
