Food & Cooking Recipes Dessert & Treats Recipes Pear Bettys 3.0 (75) Add your rating & review By Martha Stewart Test Kitchen Martha Stewart Test Kitchen The recipes developed by our test kitchen team have undergone a rigorous process of development and testing, ensuring that every element is optimal, from ingredient amounts to method and cooking time. This process includes triple-testing recipes to ensure they meet our high standards. The many stellar cooks and food editors who have been part of our team include Sarah Carey, Lucinda Scala Quinn, Jennifer Aaronson, Shira Bocar, Anna Kovel, Greg Lofts, Riley Wofford, Lauren Tyrell, and Lindsay Leopold. Editorial Guidelines Updated on July 13, 2021 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Servings: 6 An easy, spiced fruit dessert with buttered breadcrumbs or cake-crumb topping that turns golden brown as it cooks, that's a betty. No one seems to know who Betty was. Our individual bettys have two layers of Bartlett pears. In between and on top is a blend of torn sourdough bread, butter, sugar, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a splash of apple cider. Ingredients 1 (1 pound) loaf sourdough bread, crust removed, bread torn into small pieces 6 tablespoons unsalted butter ⅔ cup sugar 1 teaspoon ground ginger ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ⅛ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg ⅛ teaspoon salt ¾ cup apple cider 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 8 (about 3 ¾ pounds) Bartlett pears Directions Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place bread on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake, stirring halfway through, until golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool completely. Transfer to a resealable plastic bag; seal bag. Coarsely crush with a rolling pin so that the largest pieces are the size of peas. Melt butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Remove from heat. Stir in breadcrumbs, sugar, spices, salt, 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons cider, and the lemon juice. Let stand 10 minutes. Peel pears; cut into 1/2-inch chunks. Place a heaping 1/2 cup pears in each of 6 small (5-inch) pie plates or ramekins. Top each with 1/4 cup breadcrumb mixture; drizzle each with 1 tablespoon cider. Top with remaining pears, then with remaining breadcrumb mixture. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper; cover with foil. Bake 30 minutes. Uncover; bake until topping is browned and juices are bubbling, about 15 minutes. Let cool on sheet on a wire rack 15 minutes before serving. Cook's Notes Martha made this recipe on Martha Bakes episode 301. Rate it Print