Easy Apple Slab Pie Recipe: Your Ultimate Guide to a Crowd-Pleasing Dessert for Thanksgiving & Beyond
Get ready to delight your taste buds and impress your guests with this incredibly easy and utterly delicious Apple Slab Pie recipe! Forget the fuss of traditional round pies; this large-format dessert is designed to feed a crowd with minimal effort, making it the perfect choice for Thanksgiving, holiday gatherings, or any occasion where a generous serving of homemade goodness is desired. The best part? You don’t even need to peel the apples, saving you precious time in the kitchen!
One of the biggest advantages of a slab pie is its ability to serve many people effortlessly. Instead of juggling multiple small pies, a single slab pie bakes evenly in a sheet pan, offering perfectly portioned slices that are a breeze to serve. Its expansive surface also provides ample room for creative crust designs, allowing you to add a personal touch with cookie cutters, as we’ll show you here. While the holidays can be hectic, this recipe simplifies dessert, letting you focus on enjoying time with family and friends.
Why Choose a Slab Pie Over a Traditional Round Pie?
If you’re wondering what makes an apple slab pie stand out from its classic round counterpart, the answer lies in its practicality and generous nature. A slab pie is essentially a regular pie baked in a larger, rectangular sheet pan. This format offers several distinct advantages, especially when you’re entertaining.
- Feeds a Crowd: This recipe yields 12 servings, but the beauty of a slab pie is that it can easily be cut into smaller squares or rectangles, making it simple to stretch for even more guests. No more baking multiple pies to satisfy everyone!
- Effortless Serving: Cutting and serving individual slices from a round pie can sometimes be a messy affair, especially when it’s still warm. With a slab pie, straight cuts across the rectangular shape mean neat, uniform portions every time, making it ideal for a dessert buffet.
- Even Baking: The shallow depth of a sheet pan allows for more even cooking of both the crust and the filling, ensuring every bite is perfectly baked with a golden, flaky crust and tender, spiced apples.
- Stunning Presentation: While traditional pies are lovely, a slab pie offers a unique visual appeal. Its large surface is a canvas for decorative pie crust cutouts, creating a beautiful and festive display that’s sure to catch the eye.
- Less Fuss, More Flavor: For many, rolling out one large crust and placing it into a sheet pan is simpler than fitting two smaller crusts into round pie dishes. This streamlined process means you get to enjoy the delicious results with less stress.
Selecting the Perfect Apples for Your Slab Pie
The heart of any great apple pie is, of course, the apples! For this slab pie, we’re making things even easier by skipping the peeling step, so thin slicing is key. The combination of different apple varieties brings a beautiful balance of flavors and textures to the filling. Here’s what to consider when choosing your fruit:
- Granny Smith: These are a classic choice for apple pies, and for good reason. Their tartness provides a crucial counterpoint to the sweetness of the sugar, preventing the pie from becoming overly cloying. They also hold their shape well during baking, ensuring a pleasant texture. We recommend using a majority of Granny Smiths for this recipe.
- Red Apples (e.g., Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp): Incorporating sweeter, slightly softer red apples like Gala, Fuji, or Honeycrisp adds another layer of flavor and a touch of natural sweetness. Honeycrisp, in particular, offers a fantastic crispness that stands up well to baking. Using a mix, such as the 8 Granny Smiths and 2 red apples suggested, creates a more complex and enjoyable filling.
- No Peeling Required: This is a game-changer! Leaving the skins on not only saves time but also adds a rustic charm and a bit of extra fiber to your pie. Just make sure to wash them thoroughly before slicing.
- Slice Thinly: Regardless of the apple variety, uniform thin slices (around 1/8 to 1/4 inch) are essential for even cooking and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth filling. This also helps the apples become nicely coated with the buttery sugar mixture.
Tips for a Perfectly Flaky Crust (Even with Store-Bought!)
While this recipe focuses on ease, a great crust is fundamental to an outstanding apple pie. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or opting for the convenience of store-bought, these tips will help you achieve a beautifully flaky and golden crust:
- Keep it Cold: The secret to a flaky crust is cold butter (or shortening) and cold water. This creates pockets of steam during baking, which separate the layers of dough. If using store-bought crusts, keep them chilled until you’re ready to roll them out.
- Don’t Overwork the Dough: Over-handling the dough develops the gluten, resulting in a tough crust. Roll it out just enough to fit your pan, being gentle and swift.
- Lightly Flour Your Surface: A lightly floured surface prevents the dough from sticking, but too much flour can dry out the crust. Use just enough to ensure easy handling.
- Trim Excess, Don’t Stretch: When placing the bottom crust into the baking sheet, gently press it into the corners and sides. Trim any significant excess dough, but avoid stretching the dough, which can lead to shrinkage during baking.
- Chill Again: Before adding the filling, place your pie crust-lined pan in the fridge. This allows the butter to firm up again, ensuring a flakier crust.
- Egg Wash Magic: The egg wash (egg mixed with a splash of water) applied to your decorative top crust elements is crucial. It gives the crust a gorgeous golden-brown sheen and helps any added sugar crystals adhere, providing extra sparkle and a delicate crunch.
Enhance Your Apple Slab Pie Experience: Perfect Pairings & Toppings
While this Apple Slab Pie is magnificent on its own, a few thoughtful additions can elevate it to an even more indulgent dessert experience. Here are some classic and delightful options to serve alongside your warm pie:
- Vanilla Ice Cream: The ultimate classic pairing! A scoop of cold, creamy vanilla ice cream melting over a warm slice of apple pie creates a heavenly contrast in temperature and texture. The simplicity of vanilla allows the rich apple flavors to shine.
- Walnuts: For a delightful crunch and nutty flavor, sprinkle some toasted walnuts over your pie or alongside your ice cream. Pecans or almonds would also be excellent choices.
- Caramel Sauce: Drizzle warm, luscious caramel sauce over each slice for an extra layer of sweet, buttery goodness. The combination of apple and caramel is always a winner. You can use a store-bought caramel or whip up your own homemade version for an even richer taste.
- Chocolate Syrup: For a more decadent and unexpected twist, a swirl of chocolate syrup can add a delightful richness that pairs surprisingly well with spiced apples.
- Whipped Cream: A dollop of freshly whipped cream is a lighter alternative to ice cream, offering a delicate sweetness and airy texture that complements the pie beautifully.
- Cheddar Cheese: For those who appreciate the sweet and savory combination, a thin slice of sharp cheddar cheese served alongside or even melted slightly on top of warm apple pie is a traditional and surprisingly delicious pairing.
Discover More Delicious Desserts from Our Kitchen
If you have a sweet tooth and enjoyed this Apple Slab Pie, you’re in for a treat! We have a wide array of other delightful dessert recipes that are sure to satisfy any craving. Explore these options for your next baking adventure:
- Rice Pudding With Peaches
- Salted Caramel Apple Cake
- Donut Holes
- Italian Cream Cake
Apple Slab Pie
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Ingredients
- 4 pie crusts
- 10 apples, sliced thinly (I used 8 granny smith and 2 red apples)
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup water
- 3 tbsp all purpose flour
- 8 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 tsp salt
Egg Wash :
- 1 large egg
- splash of water
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
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On a lightly floured surface, roll 2 pie crusts into a 17×12 inch rectangle.
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Place the pie crust on a 15x10x1 baking sheet, pressing into corners and removing any excess pie crust.
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Place the pan in the fridge.
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Slice the apples thinly and set aside.
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In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
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Add the flour and cook for an additional minute.
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Stir in the cinnamon, vanilla extract, water, and sugars. Cook for 2 minutes or until the mixture thickens up nicely.
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Combine the apples with the butter mixture and toss until all the apples are evenly coated.
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Place the apple filling into the baking sheet and spread evenly.
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Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes with the remaining pie crust.
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Place the cutouts on top of the apple pie filling, brush the cutouts with egg wash, and sprinkle some crystal sugar on top.
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Place in the oven and bake for 25 minutes or until done.
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Serve warm with vanilla ice cream and enjoy!
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Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips for Your Apple Slab Pie
One of the beauties of a slab pie is its flexibility, allowing for some make-ahead magic to ease your holiday baking stress. Planning ahead ensures you can enjoy a fresh, warm slice with minimal effort on the big day.
- Make the Filling Ahead: You can prepare the apple filling a day in advance. Slice the apples, combine them with the butter mixture, and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This prevents browning and allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Prepare the Crust: You can line your baking sheet with the bottom pie crust and chill it in the fridge (or even freeze it) until ready to use. This saves a crucial step on baking day.
- Assemble and Bake Later: For ultimate convenience, you can assemble the entire pie (with both top and bottom crusts, including decorations and egg wash) and then chill it for up to 24 hours before baking. If baking from cold, you might need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
- Freezing Unbaked: For longer storage, wrap the assembled unbaked pie tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. Freeze for up to 1-2 months. When ready to bake, place it directly into a preheated oven (no need to thaw) and bake for a longer period (e.g., 60-90 minutes at 400°F/200°C), covering with foil if the crust browns too quickly.
- Storing Leftovers: Baked apple slab pie can be stored at room temperature, loosely covered, for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 4-5 days. Reheat individual slices gently in the microwave or oven for that fresh-baked taste.
Creative Customization Ideas for Your Apple Slab Pie
While this recipe offers a perfect, comforting classic, feel free to get creative and customize your Apple Slab Pie to suit your taste preferences or the season. Here are a few ideas to inspire you:
- Spice it Up: Beyond cinnamon, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg, allspice, or even a touch of ground cloves to the apple filling for a deeper, warmer flavor profile. A hint of cardamom can also be surprisingly delightful.
- Add a Touch of Citrus: A tablespoon of fresh lemon juice or a teaspoon of lemon zest tossed with the apples can brighten the flavors and add a subtle tang.
- Nutty Crunch: Incorporate finely chopped pecans or walnuts into the apple filling for added texture and a rich, nutty flavor. You can also sprinkle them on top of the filling before adding the top crust.
- Crumble Topping: Instead of a full top crust or decorative cutouts, create a streusel or crumble topping for a different texture. A mix of flour, butter, oats, and brown sugar makes for a delicious, crunchy layer.
- Maple or Bourbon Infusion: For a more sophisticated twist, a tablespoon of maple syrup or a splash of bourbon added to the butter mixture can impart unique aromatic notes.
- Mixed Fruit Pie: While it’s an apple slab pie, consider adding a handful of other fruits like sliced pears, cranberries, or even a few berries to the apple mixture for a more complex fruit pie.
- Cheese Crust: For those who love the sweet-savory combination, you could even try incorporating a bit of shredded sharp cheddar cheese into your pie crust dough for a truly unique flavor experience.
Bake, Share, and Savor: The Joy of Apple Slab Pie
There’s something truly special about the aroma of a freshly baked apple pie filling your home, and this easy Apple Slab Pie delivers that comforting experience with incredible convenience. From its simple preparation (hello, no peeling!) to its ability to generously serve everyone at your table, this recipe is designed to bring joy and deliciousness to your gatherings.
Whether you’re hosting a grand Thanksgiving feast, a casual family dinner, or simply craving a taste of homemade comfort, this slab pie is your go-to solution. It’s robust enough for a crowd, yet tender and flavorful in every bite. So, gather your ingredients, embrace the ease of this recipe, and prepare to create lasting memories around a dessert that truly satisfies. Enjoy every warm, spiced, and perfectly baked slice!
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