Monday, May 16, 2011

Baked Brown Apple Betty

Our favorite apple dessert is the apple pie. The first time I tasted a slice of apple pie was at one of the famous Marie Callenders restaurants in California in 1996. It was exceptionally delicious and since then it became a regular dessert for us at home.

On day, a few weeks ago, I was in the mood of making a new apple dessert. While I was googling for new recipes, this name "apple betty" caught my eyes. A Betty is an old fashioned baked dessert dating to Colonial America. I wonder why Betty and not Lucy or Suzy? I googled and could not find the answer.  Hopefully someone can tell me because I am very curious to know.

This is an easy to make and flavorful apple dessert. I served it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.  Yes I am a vanilla ice cream nut and eat most cakes, pies and tarts with it.  This is not a bad choice for a change although my other half still prefer the pie to this. 

Adapted from Diana Rattray with modification




Ingredients:
3 cups croissant crumbs or soft bread crumbs
2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 1/2 tsp rum
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg
A pinch of ground ginger
2 large apples, peeled and cored, cut into thin slices
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/4 cup apple juice or cider
3 tablespoons melted butter
3 sweetened cherries, halfed

Method:
Butter an 9 in round baking dish. Heat oven to 350°.
In a bowl, combine the crumbs , brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut apple wedges into thin slices. Arrange half of the apple slices in the prepared baking dish. Top the apple slices with half of the crumb mixture. Top crumb layer with apple slices then top with the crumb mixture and lastly topped with remaining apple slices and decorate with cherries in the center. Combine the vanilla, apple juice, and melted butter; spoon evenly over the top. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, until apples are tender. 
Serves 6.

27 comments:

  1. I love baked brown betty, one of my fav desserts...this one sounds wonderful, can't wait to try it :)

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  2. I love how this looks! I'm for this!

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  3. This pie looks tasty and I really like the cherries on top!

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  4. Baked Apples, Yum! I love apple everything. My all time favorite is the good ole apple pie. Can't wait for the Fall. Speaking of pie, just make a Southern Sweet Potato Pie earlier.

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  5. Love the cinnamon and apples combination....will love to try this.

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  6. I too, prefer pie to brown betty.

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  7. I've never had a brown betty but need to try it soon!

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  8. I never tried brown betty before but it sure looks irrestible !

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  9. This looks delightful! I too, love Marie Callender pies. We used to go there all the time when I was a kid.

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  10. I wished I knew why they used the name Betty and not Lucy or Suzy so I could end your search to the answer, but I don't. Actually worse yet, talk about baking and I'm simply at a loss, but I'm learning, gradually learning. The presentation of this pie is beautiful, Veronica. I also love that this has a little rum in it. Teehee. 2 slices for moi please ;)

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  11. Yummy apple pie....very long didn't bake liao!

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  12. mmm.. is it after betty crocker? the famous baker in the US? not sure too! but that looks amazing..and hearty!! I could almost smell the cinnamon and apple cider!

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  13. That is the most beautiful Brown Apple Betty I have ever seen! It looks delicious! blessings ~ tanna

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  14. What a lovely dessert, I like that you make them with croissant crumbs and love the addition of cherries!

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  15. This looks so delicious...I have not had a brown betty in years. Beautiful dessert :)

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  16. the apple slices look so tempting lying neatly on top of one another...looks really good!

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  17. A lovely recipe indeed! It's nice to look at some good recipes especially on a blue day....

    A post somehow disappeared from my blog. Didn't even know till a reader notified me today :< I've to repost eveything again & thank God I just needed to revise a draft that I'd saved. LOL! What a day!

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  18. Perfectly comforting! My grandmother used to make this when I was growing up. I adore the smell of it. Yours looks awesome.

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  19. David, Belinda, yummychunklet, Sonia, Jasmine, tanna, Magic of spice, Ben: Apple dessert is easy to like especially combining it with cinnamon. I have to agree with you guys, the look of it is rather inviting.

    Reese: Sourthern sweet potato pie sounds good. I will have to check your recipe out.

    yummilittlecooks: So you are going to try this? Looking forward to see the post soon.

    Wendy: I am sure many people prefer the pie to this.
    especially Asian.

    Marnely, Joyce: Well, you guys have to try to find out the difference between this and apple pie:D

    paddle attachment: When I go back to US in Dec, I will definitely go there again.

    Pete: long time never baked liao? hehe... should start baking again lor.

    daphne: thanks for the answer, the curiousity almost kill this old cat, you save my life.. LOL!

    LeQuan: I got the answer from daphne. I remember, the first time I bake a cake was from the Betty Crocker premix. You are always so sweet and encouraging with your words. If you are living in KL, I will gladly share everything I bake with you.

    5 star foodies: thanks, the original recipe has no cherries but I put them there to bring out the color for photography:D

    Jean: Yes, I like the top layer the best, it is a little crispy.

    Bridgett: Oh yes, the house was filled with the lovely aroma of cinnamon and vanilla white it was baking.

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  20. Que ricas y lindo el brown apple es mi preferido,luce precioso un postre de los dioses ,me gustan tus recetas cariños y abrazos.

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  21. Shirley: I have had a post missing before too. I am sure this is very frustrating for you. That'w why it is important to have a saved copy.

    Rosita: I am sorry I cannot read your language but I really appreciate your visit and taking time to leave your comment. Most of all thanks for your following and hope you enjoy reading my posts. I hope you will find recipes that you like here try them out. Hope to see you around often.

    1-2Punch: Thanks.

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  22. This dessert looks delicious.
    Do please send it to C.E.D.D Apples event @ simply.food
    http://www.simplysensationalfood.com/2011/11/announcing-event-desserts-with-apples.html

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