The Most Irresistible Apple Slab Pie Recipe for Family Gatherings

Crafting a delightful apple slab pie requires minimal effort and delivers maximum flavor.

Crisp autumn afternoons inspire cozy dessert adventures in kitchens everywhere.

Home bakers adore this rectangular twist on classic pie traditions.

Layers of tender fruit nestled between buttery, flaky pastry create irresistible comfort.

Rustic and unpretentious, this dessert welcomes casual gatherings and spontaneous sweet cravings.

Simple ingredients and straightforward techniques make you feel like a pastry champion.

Let’s uncover the magic of this crowd-pleasing treat that promises to become your new favorite fall indulgence.

Apple Slab Pie – Rustic and Heartwarming Dessert

• Craft an Epic Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for gatherings, this apple slab pie serves more people than traditional round pies, making it ideal for potlucks, family reunions, and community events.
• Master Seasonal Baking Triumph: Celebrate autumn's bounty by transforming fresh apples into a stunning dessert that captures the warmth and comfort of fall flavors with minimal complicated techniques.
• Customize with Delicious Variations: Experiment with different apple varieties like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Braeburn to create unique flavor profiles that suit personal taste preferences and seasonal availability.
• Simplify Serving and Storage: The rectangular shape allows for easy cutting into neat squares, makes transportation a breeze, and provides convenient storage in standard containers without compromising presentation.

Ingredients for Apple Slab Pie

• All-Purpose Flour: A fundamental component that provides structure and texture to the pie crust.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness to enhance the crust's flavor.
• Salt: Balances and heightens the overall taste of the pie crust.
• Unsalted Butter: Creates a rich, flaky texture and delivers a delicate buttery flavor to the crust.
• Ice Water: Helps bind the ingredients and creates a tender, workable dough.

• Apples: The star ingredient that provides the primary flavor and texture of the pie.
• Lemon Juice: Prevents apple browning and adds a bright, tangy note to the filling.
• Granulated Sugar, Cornstarch, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Allspice, Salt: A harmonious blend of sweet and spicy elements that create a complex and rich apple filling.

• Heavy Cream or Egg Wash: Provides a golden, glossy finish to the pie's surface.

How to Bake Apple Slab Pie

Step 1: Whip Up the Dough

Mix flour, sugar, and salt in a big bowl. Toss in cold butter cubes and break them down using a pastry blender until they look like tiny peas.

Slowly add water and blend until the dough comes together. Divide the dough into two parts – one slightly larger.

Shape each into a rectangle about 1-inch thick. Wrap in plastic and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

Step 2: Prepare Juicy Apple Filling

• Sugar
• Cornstarch
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Allspice
• Salt

Sprinkle this spice mixture over apples and stir until well coated.

Step 3: Craft the Slab Pie

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a 10×15×1-inch baking tray with parchment paper.

Roll out the larger dough portion into an 18×13-inch rectangle. Drape it over the tray, letting edges hang.

Chill in the refrigerator. Roll the second dough portion into a 16×11-inch rectangle.

Spread apple mixture evenly over the first dough layer. Top with the second dough rectangle.

Trim excess edges and seal. Brush top with heavy cream or egg wash.

Cut several 1-inch slits for steam to escape.

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the tray into the oven.

Bake for 40-45 minutes until the crust turns golden brown and filling bubbles. Remove and let cool on a wire rack for 45 minutes before serving.

Tips for a Perfect Apple Slab Pie

• Select tart, firm apple varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture and balanced flavor profile.
• Ensure butter remains cold throughout crust preparation to achieve a flaky, tender pastry with perfect layering.
• Create decorative lattice top by cutting strips and weaving them alternatively for an elegant, professional presentation.
• Prevent soggy bottom by preheating baking sheet and placing pie on lowest oven rack during initial baking stages.
• Enhance serving experience by dusting pie with powdered sugar or drizzling warm caramel sauce for extra indulgence.

Variations of Apple Slab Pie

• Gluten-Free Apple Slab Pie: Swap wheat flour with almond or gluten-free blend, ensuring the same texture and consistency. Use xanthan gum to help bind the crust ingredients together.
• Vegan Apple Delight: Replace butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine. Substitute egg wash with plant-based milk for browning. Use maple syrup or coconut sugar for added sweetness.
• Low-Sugar Apple Alternative: Reduce sugar content by using stevia or monk fruit sweetener. Select tart apple varieties like Granny Smith to minimize additional sugar needs. Incorporate cinnamon and nutmeg for natural flavor enhancement.

Pairings to Enjoy with Apple Slab Pie

• Select a crisp Riesling to complement the apple slab pie's sweet and spicy notes, cutting through the richness with its bright acidity and subtle fruit undertones.
• Serve alongside a creamy aged cheddar or gouda, whose nutty and sharp flavors beautifully enhance the pie's warm cinnamon and apple essence, creating a delightful contrast.
• Brew a warm mug of chai tea, its aromatic spices like cardamom and ginger mirroring the pie's complex flavor profile and providing a cozy, comforting accompaniment.
• Top the pie with a generous scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, allowing its cool, smooth texture to melt against the warm, spiced apple filling, creating an irresistible sensory experience.

Storage Tips for Apple Slab Pie

• Store leftover apple slab pie in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent moisture loss and protect the pie's texture.
• Wrap the completely cooled pie tightly in plastic wrap, then cover with aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Cut individual slices, wrap each separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze up to 2 months. Reheat directly from frozen in the oven for best results.

FAQs

• Why use cold butter for the pie crust?

Cold butter creates flaky, tender layers in the crust by preventing complete butter melting during mixing, which helps maintain small butter pieces that create a light, airy texture when baked.

• How do I know if my apples are good for this recipe?

Choose firm, tart baking apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn that hold their shape and provide a nice balance of sweetness and acidity during baking.

• Can I make the pie dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the pie dough up to 2 days in advance. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator until you’re ready to roll and assemble the pie.

Apple Slab Pie Recipe

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4.6 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Homemade apple slab pie delivers classic American dessert comfort in a crowd-pleasing rectangular format. Warm spices and buttery crust promise delightful flavors with each generous slice you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 ½ to 4 pounds (1.6 to 1.8 kg) apples (peeled, cored, cut into ½-inch pieces)
• 3 ¾ cups (470 g) flour (all-purpose)
• 3 sticks (12 oz or 340 g) butter (unsalted, cubed, cold)
• ⅔ to ¾ cup sugar
• ¾ cup (180 ml) water (cold)
• 3 tbsps cornstarch
• 1 rounded tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 ½ tbsps sugar
• 1 ½ tsp salt
• 2 tbsps heavy cream OR 1 egg + 1 tbsp water
• 1 squeeze lemon juice
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp ground allspice
• ⅛ tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Craft the pie crust by combining flour, sugar, and salt in a spacious mixing bowl. Cut cold butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Slowly add ice water, gently mixing until the dough coheres. Divide the dough into two unequal portions, with one slightly larger. Shape into flat rectangles, wrap in plastic, and chill for 2 hours.
2. Prepare the apple filling by tossing sliced apples with lemon juice. In a separate bowl, mix sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt. Thoroughly coat the apple slices with the spice mixture, ensuring even distribution.
3. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a 10×15×1-inch baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll out the larger dough portion into an 18×13-inch rectangle, draping it over the baking sheet with edges hanging. Refrigerate briefly. Roll the second dough portion into a 16×11-inch rectangle.
4. Spread the apple filling evenly across the dough, including all accumulated juices. Cover with the second dough rectangle, trimming excess edges. Crimp and seal the borders securely. Brush the surface with heavy cream or egg wash. Create several 1-inch steam vents across the top.
5. Bake for 40-45 minutes until the crust turns golden brown and the filling bubbles vigorously. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on a wire rack for 45 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Opt for cold butter when making the crust to ensure a flaky, tender texture that melts in your mouth.
• Mix apples with different varieties like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp for a complex flavor profile and balanced sweetness.
• Prevent soggy bottom by preheating the baking sheet and using a light-colored metal pan to help achieve crisp crust edges.
• Drain excess liquid from apple mixture to avoid a watery filling and maintain the pie’s structural integrity.

• Prep Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 370 kcal
• Sugar: 23 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 21 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg