Hot Apple Betty

Heat oven to 400°F.

Fill large bowl halfway with cold water; stir in lemon juice. Pare, quarter and core apples; cut in the 1/4 inch slices. Add slices to a acidulated water to prevent them from turning brown.

Melt 4 tablespoons of the butter in small saucepan. Drain apples well. Combine apples, the melted butter, 1 cup of the breadcrumbs, and 6 tablespoons of the sugar in large bowl; toss well. Transfer to buttered 13 x 9-inch baking dish.

Mix remaining 1/2 cup breadcrumbs and 4 tablespoons sugar. Sprinkle mixture over apples; dot with remaining 2 tablespoons butter, cut into bits. Bake until topping is golden brown and apples are tender, about 40 minutes. Cool slightly on wire rack. Serve warm with pitcher of cream or scoops of ice cream.