Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Apple Brown Betty


I love a good apple dessert. My mom has made some great pies and crisps that are stuck in my memory.

I've been craving them for weeks.

Months actually, since it started as a pregnancy craving.

And Noah is now 3 months old.

I won't settle for a "fake" apple pie. By "fake", I mean with canned apple pie filling. Whoever invented it disgraced the whole concept of apple pie.

In the middle of my apple pie thoughts, I came across this recipe. I'd never even heard of an Apple Brown Betty. But I had semi-stale wheat bread and bruised apples sitting around that were calling my name.

Do not make this if you're the only one around to eat it.

You will gain 5 lbs.

It's that good.

VERDICT:
Cost: Home
Convenience: Home
Taste: Home
Health: Home (although all that butter and sugar probably cancel out any benefits of wheat bread and apples!)
Overall:
This homemade apple dessert melted in my mouth! I had had doubts about how bread crumbs would taste, but I was proved wrong. The carmelized apples and crispy bread combined perfectly. I stood over it with a spoon. I loved how easy it was to throw together and its use of basic ingredients. Fast, easy, semi-healthy, delicious, using common ingredients? It doesn't get any better.

Apple Brown Betty (4-6 servings, 1 hour)

3 apples, peeled and sliced
7 slices whole wheat bread, cubed
1 1/4 c brown sugar (divided)
1/2 c butter (plus some for greasing pan)
4 TB water
1. Preheat oven to 375. Grease pie pan with butter.
2. Layer the brown sugar, apples, and bread. Do this by sprinkling 1/3 c brown sugar in pan, topping with 1/3 of your apples, and then sprinkling 1/3 of the bread on. Do it 3 times.
3. Slice butter and place slices all over the top.
4. Sprinkle with water and 1/4 c brown sugar.
5. Cover with foil. Bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil for last 5-8 minutes. Take out when top is browned and crisp. Serve hot.

Notes:
*Amounts can be approximated - use up to 1/3 c brown sugar for each layer and 3/4 c butter on top if you want
*Best served hot with whipped cream or ice cream
*Don't be afraid of cubing your bread. Just stack it up and cut it up. It doesn't need to be neat.

My inspiration (Go here! Great pictures and step-by-step instructions. Note: I decreased the amount of butter and sugar from this recipe.)

4 comments:

  1. I am excited to try this recipe. It sounds easy and delicious!!!!

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  2. This looks so good! I never would have thought of using bread for this. How creative!

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  3. ITS IN THE OVEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hahaha...we had fun making it. It was easy and simple! Hopefully it tastes wonderful! We'll let you know! YUMMY!!!

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  4. It was great!!!! Mike really liked it alot. He didn't know it was bread at first. We ate it in one sitting.

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