Apple-Date Betty
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Apple-Date Betty
Everyday Food editor Sarah Carey shows you how to make this easier-than-pie Colonial-era apple dessert, perfect for Thanksgiving or anytime in fall.
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- Prep Time 15 minutes
- Total Time 1 1/2 hours
- Yield Serves 6
Ingredients
- 5 slices country white sandwich bread, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3/4 cup sugar, divided
- 6 tablespoons apple cider, divided
- 5 Granny Smith apples (2 1/2 pounds total), peeled, cored, and cut into 3/4-inch pieces
- 3/4 cup chopped dates, preferably Medjool (4 ounces)
- 4 teaspoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- Heavy cream, for serving
Directions
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Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Scatter bread on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until dry and light golden brown, about 12 minutes, tossing halfway through. Crush half the bread to make crumbs. In a large bowl, combine butter, 1/4 cup sugar, and 3 tablespoons cider, then stir in bread pieces and crumbs.
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Combine apples, dates, flour, lemon juice, salt, allspice, and remaining 1/2 cup sugar and 3 tablespoons cider. Stir in 1/2 cup bread mixture. Transfer to an 8-inch square baking dish and top with remaining bread mixture. Cover with foil and bake until bubbling in center, 40 to 55 minutes. Uncover and bake until top is golden, 5 minutes more. Let cool 15 minutes (or let sit at room temperature, up to 8 hours). To serve, divide among bowls and top with cream.
Cook's Note
Let cool 15 minutes or let sit at room temperature up to 8 hours.
This was very tasty and easy, homey and comfort food. I think the dates pretty much disappear as both a flavor and a texture. We all agreed we'd prefer to add a similar amount of Craisins instead for a little flavor kick.
My bread crumbs did not come close to being dry after the 12 minutes, so they were very soggy on top of the apple mixture from the start. End result tasted like a soggy, sugary pieces of whites bread on top of apples that weren't cooked enough. 7 hours after serving, it found a home in the garbage disposal.
Ugh. :-(