Roasted Apples with Spiced Bread Crumbs

Roasted spiced apples are appealing on their own, but topped with crisp, buttered bread crumbs, they are positively irresistible. To make the bread crumbs, choose a simple coarse bread with a firm texture, such as a rustic Italian or French bread. Let the bread sit out overnight, or dry the slices in a low oven, then remove the crust. Chop the bread coarsely, and use a food processor to reduce the pieces to coarse crumbs.

 

Roasted Apples with Spiced Bread Crumbs

 

Ingredients

 

• 1/2 cup (4 oz./125 g) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces and brought to room temperature, plus extra for greasing
• 3 cups (6 oz./185 g) coarse fresh bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup (4 oz./125 g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (3 1/2 oz./105 g) firmly packed golden brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
• 4 firm, tart apples, peeled, halved, cored, and very thinly sliced (about
• 6 cups/1 1/2 lb./750 g) Heavy cream at room temperature, for serving (optional)

Directions

 

1. Place an oven rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9-inch (23-cm) baking pan.

 

2. Spread the bread crumbs on a rimmed baking sheet and toast in the oven until lightly golden, about 10 minutes. Let cool.

 

3. In a large bowl, stir together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and toasted bread crumbs. Add the apple slices and toss to coat. Place a third of the apple mixture in the prepared baking dish and dot with a third of the butter. Repeat twice, finishing with the butter.

 

4. Roast until the apples are tender when pierced with a knife and the bread crumbs are golden brown, 1 to 1 1/4 hours. Serve right away with a drizzle of cream, if desired. Serves 6 to 8.

 

 

 

For this and more than a hundred other recipes for roasted meats, poultry, seafood, vegetables and fruits—delicious dishes suitable for every season and every occasion—check out our Year-Round Roasting.