desserts

Ingredients

	1 spray(s) olive oil cooking spray
	8 slice(s) oatmeal bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
	1/4 cup(s) reduced-calorie margarine, melted
	1 Tbsp sugar
	3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
	4 medium apple(s), Granny Smith or McIntosh, peeled, cored and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
	1/4 cup(s) currants
	1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
	1/4 cup(s) packed light brown sugar
	1 tsp vanilla extract
	1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350ºF. Coat an 8-inch square baking pan with cooking spray.
  
  
• In a large bowl, combine bread cubes, margarine, granulated sugar and cinnamon; toss to combine. Arrange 1/3 of bread cube mixture in bottom of prepared pan.
  
  
• In a large bowl, combine apples, currants, lemon juice, brown sugar, vanilla and nutmeg. Spoon 1/2 of the apple mixture over bread layer. Top with 1/3 more bread cubes, remaining apple mixture and then remaining bread cubes.
  
  
• Cover with foil and bake 45 minutes. Uncover and bake until top is golden brown, about 15 minutes more. Cut into 8 pieces and serve hot.

Chef Tips

• We renovated Apple Brown Betty by:
  • Coating the pan with cooking spray instead of butter.
    
    
  • Substituting reduced-calorie margarine for butter in the bread layer – and using less of it.
    
    
  • Cutting back on the amount of sugar and adding currants for sweetness. Since currants are smaller than raisins, a little goes a long way.
    
    
  • Choosing oatmeal bread for heart-healthy soluble fiber.