Ask Chef Dennis

  • Recipe Index
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • About
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • About
×
Home » Recipes » Fruit Recipes

Apple Brown Betty

Published: Feb 14, 2025 by Chef Dennis Littley

6
SHARES
Facebook6PinterestFlipboard
Jump to Recipe
Pinterest Hidden ImagePinterest Hidden ImagePinterest Hidden Image

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!

Apple Brown Betty with ice cream on a white plate.


 

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.

Apple Brown Betty in a baking pan with spoon.

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.

Table of Contents:
  • Tips for the Best Apple Brown Betty
  • Ingredients to Make Apple Brown Betty
  • How to Make Apple Brown Betty
  • Recipe FAQ’s
  • More Recipes You’ll Love!
  • Recipe: Apple Brown Betty

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

Ingredients to make the recipe.

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.
collage showing how to begin the recipe.
  • 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.

Collage showing how to finish the recipe.
  • 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.

Apple brown betty in a paking dish.

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.

Apple Brown Betty with ice cream on a white plate.

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!

Recipe FAQ’s

What’s the difference between apple crisp and Apple Brown Betty?

Apple crisp is an apple dessert with a crumble topping that usually includes oats mixed in throughout.
Apple Brown Betty is also an apple dessert with a crumble topping, but instead of oats, there are layers of fruit and crumble.

What apples are best for Apple Brown Betty?

Tart apples are a great choice since the recipe contains a lot of sugar. Granny Smith apples are also a great choice, as they are firm and tart. Other great options are Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Lady apples.

Why is it called Apple Brown Betty?

The origins of the name are unknown. The recipe’s name may come from the crisp golden brown finish. Historians have also speculated that the name contains racial connotations related to the skin color of the first person who made it.

More Recipes You’ll Love!

  • white bowl of apple crisp with ice cream next to whole red and green apples
    Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp
  • sliced apple strudel on a white platter.
    Easy Apple Strudel Recipe (Apfelstrudel)
  • Slices of apple fritter bread on a white cutting board.
    Apple Fritter Bread
  • Slice of apple pie on a white plate.
    Homemade Apple Pie Recipe

Apple Brown Betty with ice cream on a white plate.

Apple Brown Betty

Chef Dennis Littley
Made with sweet-tart apple slices, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon, our Apple Brown Betty is a sweet treat your whole family will love!
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 40 minutes mins
Cooling Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 377 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups Honeycrisp apples peeled, cored, and sliced (about 4-5 apples)
  • 1 medium lemon juiced
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ⅛ teaspoon table salt
  • 4 oz unsalted butter very cold cut into 8 pieces

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Lightly grease a 9-inch square baking dish with butter or baking spray.
  • Rinse the apples in cold water, then peel, core and slice them.
  • Add the apple slices and lemon juice to a medium bowl, toss to coat the apple slices.
  • Layer half of the apple slices in the baking dish.
  • Add the all-purpose flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and table salt to the bowl of a food processor.
  • Pulse several times to mix well the dry ingredients.
  • Add the butter one piece at a time, pulsing between each addition until all the butter is fully incorporated and forms coarse crumbs.
  • Spread half of the crumb mixture over the top of the 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.

Notes

What type of apples can I use?
I prefer honey crisp or cosmic crisp apples, but you can use Granny Smith, Gala, Braeburn, Johnathon, Fuji, or Cortland.

Nutrition

Calories: 377kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 2gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 57mgPotassium: 163mgFiber: 3gSugar: 44gVitamin A: 523IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 39mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askchefdennis or tag #askchefdennis!

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating





My name is Chef Dennis Littley, creator and owner of Ask Chef Dennis Productions. As a classically trained chef with 40+ years of experience in the kitchen, I share my time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen.

More about me →

Fan Favorites

  • overhead view of barbecued half racks of baby back ribs on a white platter
    Easy Oven Baked Baby Back Ribs
  • sliced meatloaf with the rest of meatloaf on a white platter
    Classic Meatloaf Recipe with Zesty Glaze
  • shredded cabbage mixed with coleslaw dressing in a glass bowl.
    Easy Homemade Coleslaw Recipe
  • Banana bread sliced on a cutting board.
    Banana Bread Recipe
  • chicken parm with pasta on a white plate
    Chicken Parmesan Recipe
  • seasoned crispy chicken legs on a foil wrapped tray
    Baked Chicken Legs

Featured In

Collage showing where Ask Chef Dennis has been featured.

Footer

↑ back to top

INFO

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility Policy

SUBSCRIBE

Sign Up Today and start getting my easy-to-make restaurant-quality recipes!

CONTACT

  • About
  • Contact

© 2009-2025 · Ask Chef Dennis · 30 N. Gould Street, STE 7204, Sheridan, Wyoming, 82801

Proud Member of:
Mediavine Publisher Network

Let's Get Social

Pinterest Facebook Flipboard Instagram YouTube LinkedIn

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required