🥧 Apple Slab Pie
A rustic, golden-brown sheet pie bursting with sweet-tart apples, warm spices, and flaky crust — perfect for sharing.
✅ Introduction
Apple slab pie is a bigger, bolder take on traditional apple pie, baked in a rectangular sheet pan instead of a round dish. It’s designed to feed a crowd, making it the ideal dessert for holidays, family gatherings, or bake sales. With all the familiar flavors of cinnamon-spiced apples and buttery pastry, this pie is comfort food at its best, with the added bonus of more crust in every bite!
🌍 Origin and Cultural Significance
While apple pie has deep roots in European baking, it became a culinary symbol of American identity — hence the phrase “as American as apple pie.” The slab pie is a more modern evolution, emerging from the need to serve more people with fewer dishes and less fuss.
Slab pies are part of a broader tradition of sheet baking in both rural and urban communities — practical, generous, and perfect for sharing. They’re especially popular in the Midwest and Southern U.S., where community meals and potlucks are a beloved tradition.
🧂 Ingredients Quantity (Serves 12–16)
🥧 For the Crust:
- 3 ¾ cups (470 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp salt
- 1 ½ tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 ½ cups (340 g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- ¾ to 1 cup (180–240 ml) ice water
🍎 For the Filling:
- 8–9 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix), peeled, cored, and sliced thin
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (55 g) light brown sugar
- 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour or cornstarch (for thickening)
🥚 For Assembly:
- 1 egg + 1 tbsp milk (egg wash)
- Coarse sugar (for sprinkling, optional)
🌱 Optional Additions
- Chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch
- Raisins or dried cranberries for a tart-sweet bite
- Maple syrup or caramel drizzle on top
- Add a pinch of cloves or cardamom for spiced depth
- Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream
💡 Tips for Success
- Keep the butter and water cold for a flaky crust.
- Slice apples uniformly thin to ensure even baking.
- Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for better flavor.
- Don’t overfill the crust — the filling should be packed but not overflowing.
- Allow the pie to cool before slicing — this helps the filling set.
📝 Instructions
1. Make the Crust:
- In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, and salt.
- Cut in the butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add ice water, stirring just until the dough comes together.
- Divide into two discs (one slightly larger), wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for 1 hour.
2. Prepare the Filling:
- In a large bowl, toss sliced apples with sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and flour. Set aside.
3. Assemble the Slab Pie:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Roll out the larger dough disc to fit a 10×15-inch sheet pan (or jelly roll pan) with some overhang.
- Lay the dough in the pan and press into corners.
- Spread apple filling evenly over the crust.
- Roll out the second disc and place over the apples. Seal and crimp the edges. Cut slits in the top for steam to escape.
- Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse sugar.
4. Bake:
- Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbling.
- Let cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing into squares.
📖 Description
Apple slab pie is a hearty, rustic dessert that offers all the comforting flavors of classic apple pie in a form that’s perfect for sharing. The crust is buttery and flaky, while the filling is juicy, sweet-tart, and warmly spiced. Each square offers a satisfying balance of fruit and pastry in every bite.
🔍 Nutritional Information (Approx. per slice, based on 16 servings)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~280–320 kcal |
| Fat | 15–18 g |
| Carbs | 35–40 g |
| Sugars | ~18–22 g |
| Fiber | 2–3 g |
| Protein | ~3 g |
| Vitamins | Rich in vitamin C (from apples) |
Note: Nutrition may vary based on apple variety and any added toppings.
🏁 Conclusion
Apple slab pie is a celebration of tradition, flavor, and togetherness. Whether you’re baking for a fall feast, holiday gathering, or a casual Sunday dinner, this pie delivers comfort and crowd-pleasing appeal with every warm, cinnamon-scented slice.
🌟 Recommendation
Serve slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or a dusting of powdered sugar for a bakery-style finish. It’s also delicious chilled the next day — perfect for breakfast with coffee or tea!
🍎 Embracing Healthful Indulgence
Though indulgent, this pie is rooted in wholesome ingredients: fresh apples, real butter, and warm spices. It’s a reminder that dessert can be both nostalgic and nourishing — not only for the body but for the spirit. Share generously, and savor slowly.