Mel's Apple Oat Betty

When I was younger I used to pore over my Mum’s cookery books after school and see what I could conjure up from the contents of the kitchen cupboards. This pud was one of the many surprises she came home from work to (not all were as successful!). The ancient cookery book I found this in has long gone, but the recipe remains a family favourite, perfect comfort food for a dreary day.

• 4oz oats

• 4oz self raising flour

• 2 tsp cinnamon

• Pinch of salt

• 4oz butter (plus another 1oz to finish)

• 4 oz demerara sugar

• 2 large cooking apples, peeled, cored and sliced

• 2 tbsp lemon juice

1.  Combine the oats, flour, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl. 

2. Rub in 4oz butter to make a crumbly mixture then stir in the Demerara sugar.

3. Arrange half the apples in a greased baking dish, then drizzle with half the lemon juice. Sprinkle over half the oat mixture.

4. Repeat with remaining apples, lemon juice and oat mixture.

5. Dot the pudding with remaining 1 oz butter. 

6. Bake at 170c for approximately 1 hour, until apples are tender and topping golden.

Serve warm with lashings of golden custard mmm…

Download Mel’s recipe here