I found out about this by accident. I was browsing thru' the internet for ways to make use of leftover or stale bread, and this Brown Betty caught my attention. It is somewhat like Apple Crisp or Cobbler. I thought to myself, "I'm in!" without any hesitation, as I had all the ingredients on hand.
Just out of the oven...
A Brown Betty is a traditional American dessert made from fruits and sweetened crumbs. The dish was first mentioned in print in 1864; a recipe from 1877 uses apple sauce and cracker crumbs. Apple Brown Betty was one of the favorite desserts of Ronald and Nancy Reagan in the White House! Taken from Wiki.
A yummilicious mess...
This is another fantastic way to make use of any leftover Easter bread or stale bread and some sad fruits hiding at the back of a fridge. In closing, this is a hearty dessert, especially during the cold holiday season. So, save this recipe!
Ingredients:
(Make one 9" Apple Brown Betty; Serve 12)
Leftover Kulich Homemade / Any Easter Bread / Stale Bread Preferably Brioche or Challah Coarsely Diced, About 2 Loaves
Granny Smith Apples Peeled Cored Coarsely Diced, About 500g
Red Gala Apples / Any Red Apples Cored Coarsely Diced, About 500g Or Pears Preferably Bosc Or A Mixture of Fresh Berries
Fresh Orange Zest, 1 Orange
Fresh Orange Juice, 1 Orange
Light Muscovado Sugar, 75g Adjust To Preference
Sea Salt, Pinch
Calvados / Brandy / Cointreau / Spiced Rum, 2 TBSP
Apricot Jam, 2 TBSP
Butter Coarsely Diced, 50g + More For Greasing
Equipment:
9" Round Cake Pan / Pastry Ring / 8" Square Baking Dish
Oven
Directions:
Please visit my "Cookie Spice Blend" page for the recipe.
Please visit my "Kulich" page for the recipe.
Crumble the leftover or stale bread into a large bowl and set aside.
*If your stale bread is too hard to crumble by hand, you can use a food processor and pulse it a few times. Try not to overdo it, or you will end up with bread crumbs.*
In a large mixing bowl, mix together the 2 types of apples, orange zest, juice, sugar, salt, cookie spice, brandy and apricot jam until well combined.
Taste and adjust for sweetness with sugar.
Preheat oven to 190 degree celsius or 375 Fahrenheit.
Lightly grease the baking pan with butter.
Sprinkle and distribute the crumbled bread onto the pan.
Followed by the apple mixture.
Press it down gently to compact.
Repeat the steps, stacking crumbled bread and apple mixture.
The last layer should be the crumbled bread.
Drizzle any leftover juice (from the apple mixture) over the Brown Betty.
Sprinkle and distribute the diced butter over the top.
Cover the pan with aluminum foil.
Wack into the oven and bake for 45 mins.
Remove the foil and bake for another 10 to 12 mins or until it is crispy golden brown.
Serve immediately with some ice cream, sour cream or any leftover Pashka.
I served my Brown Betty with leftover Pashka...
Mama Mia...
Another fantastic way to make use of leftover / stale bread...