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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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