Brown Betty Recipe

The Brown Betty is a classic American dessert that dates back to the 18th century. It is a simple and delicious recipe that combines the sweetness of apples, the crunchiness of bread crumbs, and the warmth of cinnamon.

Fun Fact: The name "Brown Betty" is believed to have originated from the use of brown sugar in the recipe, giving it a rich and caramelized taste.

To make the Brown Betty, you will need the following ingredients:

- 4 medium-sized apples (peeled, quartered, cored, and sliced)
- 1/4 cup of butter (or chicken-fat for a meat meal)
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1 cup of bread crumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
- Grated rind of 1/2 lemon
- 1/4 cup of sugar
- 1/4 cup of boiling water
- Cream, soft custard, or lemon sauce for serving

Here's how you can make the Brown Betty:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Melt the butter in a saucepan and pour in the juice of half a lemon. Set aside.

3. In a bowl, mix together the bread crumbs, cinnamon, grated lemon rind, and sugar.

4. Butter a baking dish generously.

5. Start by creating alternating layers of sliced apples and bread crumbs in the baking dish. After each layer of apples, sprinkle the sugar mixture over the apples.

6. Continue layering until you have used up all the apples and bread crumbs. The final layer should be bread crumbs.

7. Pour 1/4 cup of boiling water over the top layer of bread crumbs.

8. Cover the baking dish with a lid or aluminum foil.

9. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes or until the apples are soft.

10. Remove the lid or aluminum foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the bread crumbs turn golden brown.

11. Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and let it cool slightly.

12. Serve the Brown Betty warm with a dollop of cream, soft custard, or lemon sauce.

Fun Fact: The Brown Betty is often associated with New England cuisine and is traditionally served on Thanksgiving alongside other classic desserts like pumpkin pie and apple pie.

Now that you've mastered the delicious Brown Betty, you might be interested to try other similar recipes such as Apple Crisp and Apple Cobbler. These desserts also feature apples and a crunchy topping but differ in their preparation and textures.

Apple Crisp is made by topping sliced apples with a crumbly mixture of oats, flour, brown sugar, and spices. It is then baked until the topping becomes crispy and the apples are tender. Apple crisp is often served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Apple Cobbler, on the other hand, has a biscuit-like topping that is dropped onto the apple filling. It is then baked until the topping is golden brown and the apples are bubbling. Apple cobbler is best enjoyed warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce.

So, whether you choose to indulge in a warm slice of Brown Betty, Apple Crisp, or Apple Cobbler, you're sure to enjoy the comforting flavors of baked apples paired with a delicious crust or crumble topping.