Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that will transform your ordinary dessert experience into an extraordinary taste sensation! This Apple and Hazelnut Brown Betty is not just a recipe—it's a warm, nostalgic embrace of classic American comfort food that will make your taste buds dance with delight. Imagine layers of tender, juicy apples nestled between a crispy, nutty topping that crackles with every spoonful, delivering a perfect balance of sweet and textural complexity that will have your family and friends begging for seconds.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 4 cups sliced apples
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9-inch baking dish with butter to prevent sticking.
- Wash and slice the apples thinly, leaving the skin on for added texture and nutrients. Aim for uniform slices approximately 1/4 inch thick.
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine bread crumbs, chopped hazelnuts, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Mix thoroughly to ensure even distribution of ingredients.
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Once melted, remove from heat and set aside.
- Layer the sliced apples in the prepared baking dish, creating an even base. Sprinkle half of the bread crumb and hazelnut mixture over the apples.
- Drizzle half of the melted butter over the first layer, ensuring even coverage.
- Add another layer of sliced apples, followed by the remaining bread crumb mixture and melted butter.
- Pour the water around the edges of the baking dish to help create steam and keep the dessert moist during baking.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes covered, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes to crisp the topping.
- Remove from oven and let cool for 10-15 minutes before serving. The dessert can be served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Tips
- Choose the right apples: Opt for firm, slightly tart varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that hold their shape during baking and provide a nice contrast to the sweet topping.
- Toast your hazelnuts: For an extra layer of flavor, lightly toast the chopped hazelnuts in a dry skillet before adding them to the crumb mixture. This will enhance their nutty richness.
- Uniform apple slicing: Use a sharp knife or mandoline to ensure consistent apple slice thickness, which helps achieve even cooking and a beautiful presentation.
- Don't skip the water: The water around the edges creates steam, keeping the dessert moist and preventing the bottom from becoming too dry.
- Let it rest: Allowing the Brown Betty to cool for 10-15 minutes after baking helps the layers set and makes serving easier.
- Serving suggestion: A scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream can elevate this dessert from delicious to absolutely irresistible!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 271kcal
Carbohydrates: 37g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 17mg
