Brown Apple Croissant Betty with Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe

I absolutely love sharing this Brown Apple Croissant Betty with Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe because it hits all the cozy, comforting notes you want in a dessert. There’s something magic about the combination of crisp, tart Granny Smith apples with sweet, buttery croissant crumbs baked until golden and bubbly. It feels like the ultimate treat on a chilly evening or a weekend brunch that needs a little something special.

Whenever I serve this recipe, it brings everyone around the table instantly — my family literally goes crazy for it! The beauty of this Brown Apple Croissant Betty with Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe is how easy it is, even though it tastes like you slaved all day. Plus, pairing it with vanilla ice cream adds that creamy, cool contrast that makes every bite feel like dessert heaven.

this …

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Brown Apple Croissant Betty with Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe plays a key role — whether adding sweetness, tang, or crunch. I recommend picking large, firm Granny Smith apples for just the right tart bite that balances the sugar perfectly.

• Cooking spray: To make sure your baking dish releases the betty cleanly, no sticking.
• Day-old croissants: Using croissants that are a bit stale lets them toast crispy rather than soggy, adding amazing texture.
• Granny Smith apples: Tart and firm apples hold their shape and brighten the dish with acidity.
• Lemon: Just a bit of lemon juice keeps the apples from browning and adds fresh zest.
• Unsalted butter: Melted right into the croissant crumbs for rich, golden coating and flavor.
• Granulated sugar: A touch brings gentle sweetness to balance the tart fruit.
• Light brown sugar: Packed for deep, molasses-y sweetness in the crumb topping.
• Raisins (optional): I like throwing them in for little bursts of chewy sweetness, but totally up to you.
• Ground cinnamon: Warm spice that gives the betty its comforting fall flavor profile.
• Kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors and cuts through the sweetness.
• Vanilla ice cream: An essential finishing touch to serve alongside this warm apple dessert.

Variations

I love encouraging you to put your own spin on this Brown Apple Croissant Betty with Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe. It’s a great base for mixing up flavors or tailoring it to dietary needs.

• Swap the fruit: I’ve replaced apples with pears or mixed berries, and it’s always a hit — especially with a sprinkle of nutmeg or ginger.
• Make it nutty: Adding chopped walnuts or pecans on top brings a fantastic crunch that my family adores.
• Raisin-free: If you’re not a fan of raisins, skip them or substitute dried cranberries for a tart twist.
• Dairy-free option: Use a nondairy butter substitute and coconut or almond milk ice cream to keep it plant-based.
• Sweetness level: Adjust the brown sugar if you prefer a less sweet dessert — sometimes less is more!

How to Make Brown Apple Croissant Betty with Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe

Step 1: Toast the Croissants to Golden Perfection

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and greasing a baking dish with cooking spray. Tear those day-old croissants into roughly 1-inch pieces. Lay them out evenly on a rimmed baking sheet and toast for about 7 to 10 minutes until they’re crisp and golden brown. This step is key because it turns the croissants from soft to crunchy crumbs that soak up all the buttery apple goodness later. Don’t skip it—you’ll thank me!

Step 2: Prepare Your Apples with a Zesty Touch

While your croissants are baking, peel and core about 2 pounds of Granny Smith apples and slice them thinly, about 1/4-inch thick. Toss them right away with 2 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice to brighten their flavor and prevent browning. That little lemon trick keeps the betty looking fresh and vibrant after baking.

Step 3: Make the Buttery Croissant Crumb Mixture

Once the croissant pieces have cooled a bit, pop them into your food processor and pulse them until they turn into coarse crumbs—like chunky bread crumbs, not powder. Take about 2 cups of those crumbs and toss them in a bowl with melted butter and a tablespoon of granulated sugar. This buttery-sugary mixture will give your Betty that signature crispy topping everyone loves.

Step 4: Mix the Sweet Spiced Apple Topping

In a small bowl, stir together light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, kosher salt, and raisins if you’re using them. This combo infuses each layer with a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and just a hint of salt to round it all out.

Step 5: Layer the Apples and Crumbs

Time to build your Brown Apple Croissant Betty! Start by placing half of the spiced apples in the baking dish, then sprinkle half of the brown sugar mixture over them. Follow that with half of your buttery croissant crumbs. Repeat the layers with remaining apples, brown sugar mixture, and crumbs. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap moisture for soft, jammy apples.

Step 6: Bake and Reveal the Golden Crust

Bake the covered betty for about 40 minutes, till the apples soften beautifully. Then remove the foil and bake for another 8 to 10 minutes so the croissant crumbs crisp up and turn beautifully golden. Your kitchen will smell incredible—this step really seals in the cozy apple pie vibes.

Step 7: Serve Warm with Vanilla Ice Cream

This dessert is best enjoyed warm, paired with generous scoops of vanilla ice cream. The cold cream melting over the warm, spiced apples and buttery crumb is absolutely irresistible.

How to Serve Brown Apple Croissant Betty with Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with just a scoop of vanilla ice cream, but I love dusting a little cinnamon or nutmeg on top for an extra cozy touch. A sprinkle of chopped toasted nuts adds a lovely crunch and a pop of color if I want to get fancy.

Side Dishes

This dessert really stands on its own, but if I’m serving it as part of brunch, I might add some crispy bacon or a cheese platter to balance the sweetness. It’s also wonderful alongside a fresh green salad with a citrus vinaigrette to keep things light.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like serving individual portions in small ramekins with a drizzle of caramel sauce over the ice cream. It looks elegant and feels so indulgent. You could even add a fresh mint leaf or a thin apple slice twisted on top for a charming garnish.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

You can store leftover Brown Apple Croissant Betty in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I recommend reheating individual portions in the oven or microwave until warmed through to bring back that delicious, soft and crisp texture.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this betty successfully, but I pause before adding the ice cream. Wrap the unbaked or baked BETTY tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating—just a heads up that the crumb topping may lose some crispness after freezing.

Reheating

Reheat your Brown Apple Croissant Betty in a 350°F oven for about 15-20 minutes until heated through and the top is again lightly crisp. Avoid the microwave if you want to keep the topping texture intact.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Brown Apple Croissant Betty with Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe has a special place in my heart because it’s the dessert that made me realize how easy it is to turn simple, leftover ingredients into a showstopper. I hope you’ll find it just as comforting and delicious as I do — whether you’re sharing with family, friends, or just indulging yourself on a quiet evening. Give it a try; you might just discover a new favorite that everyone asks you to make again and again.

Print