These Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Slices are a nostalgic Midwestern classic, the kind you’d find in a old-school neighborhood bakery. Unlike a traditional pie, this dessert is baked in a sheet pan and cut into generous, hefty squares. It features a tender, flaky, buttery crust that encases a thick layer of warm, spiced apple filling, all topped with a signature, crackly vanilla glaze. It’s the perfect dessert for feeding a crowd at potlucks, holiday gatherings, or any time you’re craving pure, comforting apple goodness .
This recipe provides options for using a quick, easy canned filling or making your own from scratch for a truly homemade touch .
Ingredients
For the Pastry Dough (Two Crusts):
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 ¼ cups (2 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, very cold
½ cup ice water, plus more as needed
For the Apple Filling (Choose One):
Option A (Quick & Easy):
4 cups (about 32 oz) good-quality canned apple pie filling
Option B (Homemade):
6-7 cups Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
¾ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup brown sugar (optional, for deeper flavor)
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Vanilla Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-3 tablespoons whole milk
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