Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Slices

These Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Slices bring back the comforting flavors of a traditional Midwestern bakery. A rich, flaky crust hugs a cinnamon-spiced apple filling, topped off with a sweet glaze. It’s a nostalgic, crowd-pleasing dessert that feels like a warm hug in every slice.

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🍎 Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Slices

🧾 Ingredients

For the Crust:

Ingredient	Quantity
All-purpose flour	3 cups
Granulated sugar	1 tablespoon
Salt	1 teaspoon
Cold unsalted butter	1 cup, cubed
Large eggs	2
Cold water	5–6 tablespoons

For the Apple Filling:

Ingredient	Quantity
Thinly sliced apples	8 cups (6–8 apples)
Granulated sugar	¾ cup
Light brown sugar	¼ cup, packed
All-purpose flour	2 tablespoons
Ground cinnamon	1 teaspoon
Ground nutmeg	¼ teaspoon
Lemon juice	1 tablespoon
Melted butter	1 tablespoon

For the Glaze:

Ingredient	Quantity
Powdered sugar	1 cup
Milk	2–3 tablespoons
Vanilla extract	½ teaspoon

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Make the Crust
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt. Add cold, cubed butter and cut it in using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In another bowl, beat the eggs and mix with 5 tablespoons of cold water. Gradually stir this into the flour mixture until dough begins to form. Add more water, a teaspoon at a time, if needed. Divide into two balls, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

2. Prep Oven & Pan
Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.

3. Make the Apple Filling
In a mixing bowl, toss the apple slices with both sugars, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice until well coated.

4. Assemble the Apple Slices
Roll out one dough ball into a rectangle and press it into the bottom and sides of your pan. Spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust and drizzle melted butter on top. Roll out the second dough ball and lay it over the apples. Seal the edges and cut a few small slits into the top to let steam escape.

5. Bake
Place in the oven and bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is golden and the apples are tender. If needed, cover the edges with foil to prevent over-browning.

6. Make the Glaze
While the dessert cools, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Add more milk, a teaspoon at a time, to reach your preferred consistency.

7. Finish & Serve
Once slightly cooled, drizzle glaze over the top and let set for 10 minutes. Cut into bars and serve warm or at room temperature.

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🍏 Tips for Perfect Apple Slices

• Mix Your Apples: Combine tart and sweet varieties like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp for a deeper flavor.
• Keep Dough Cold: A cold crust bakes up flakier. Try not to let the butter melt while prepping.
• Avoid a Soggy Bottom: For crispier results, you can pre-bake the bottom crust for about 10 minutes before adding the apples.