There’s nothing quite as comforting as the warm aroma of freshly baked apples, cinnamon, and buttery pastry filling your kitchen. This Apple Slab Pie is a perfect dessert for family gatherings, holidays, or cozy weekends. It combines the familiar flavor of traditional apple pie with the convenience of serving a crowd. Made in a rectangular sheet pan, it’s easy to cut into neat slices — perfect for parties or potlucks.
🍎 Ingredients
For the crust:
- 2 sheets of puff pastry (thawed if frozen)
- 1 egg (beaten, for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon water
For the filling:
- 6–7 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work best), peeled, cored, and sliced
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for thickening)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (cut into small cubes)
🥣 Instructions
1.
Prepare the pastry
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet (around 9×13 inches) with parchment paper.
Roll out one sheet of puff pastry and gently place it onto the prepared pan, pressing slightly into the corners. This will form your base crust.
2.
Make the filling
In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, both sugars, lemon juice, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and vanilla. Toss until every apple slice is well coated.
Let the mixture rest for about 10 minutes — this helps the apples release some of their juices and blend flavors beautifully.
3.
Assemble the pie
Spoon the apple mixture evenly over the puff pastry crust. Dot the top with small butter cubes.
Lay the second puff pastry sheet over the filling. Trim and fold the edges to seal the pie. You can use a fork or your fingers to crimp the edges for a rustic look.
4.
Brush and vent
Mix the beaten egg with a tablespoon of water and brush it gently over the top crust.
Use a sharp knife to make several small slits across the surface — this allows steam to escape during baking.
5.
Bake
Bake in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and flaky.
If the edges brown too quickly, cover them lightly with aluminum foil during the last few minutes.
6.
Cool and serve
Let the slab pie cool for at least 15–20 minutes before slicing. This helps the filling set and prevents it from spilling out.
Serve warm, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an irresistible finish.
🍏 Tips for the Perfect Apple Slab Pie
- Use a mix of apples: Combining tart and sweet varieties adds balance and depth of flavor.
- Chill your pastry: Cold dough creates flakier layers. If it softens, pop it in the fridge for 10 minutes before baking.
- Don’t skip the vent slits: Steam needs to escape to avoid a soggy crust.
- Add texture: Sprinkle a little coarse sugar on top before baking for a nice crunch.
🍽️ Serving Ideas
This slab pie pairs beautifully with:
- Fresh whipped cream
- Vanilla or cinnamon ice cream
- Warm caramel drizzle
- Dusting of powdered sugar for a classic finish
It’s also delicious served at room temperature — making it a great make-ahead dessert for picnics or gatherings.
🌟 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Feeds a crowd: Perfect for holidays, potlucks, or brunch tables.
- Simple ingredients: Everything you need is likely already in your pantry.
- Quick and impressive: Puff pastry gives a bakery-style crust with minimal effort.
- Versatile: Swap apples for pears or add cranberries for a festive twist.