Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly butter a 2-quart casserole or baking dish. Stir together bread crumbs and butter; set aside.

 

Combine apples, brown sugar, lemon juice, ginger, and cinnamon, mixing until well blended. To assemble brown betty, spread 1 cup of buttered bread crumbs in bottom of casserole; top with one third of apple mixture. Sprinkle 1 Tbsp sherry over apple layer, if desired. Spread another cup bread crumbs and top with half of remaining apples and another Tbsp sherry. Make third layer of one cup of bread crumbs and top with remaining apples and sherry. Spread remaining bread crumbs on top of apples.

 

Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes; uncover and bake 30 minutes longer. Cool until warm and serve with whipped cream, if desired.