Description
Flaky, glazed, and packed with warm cinnamon apples, these Chicago Style Bakery Apple Slices are a cozy dessert bar that tastes like it came from a neighborhood bakery case. This easy recipe is perfect for holiday desserts, brunch ideas, potluck food ideas, sweet breakfast treats, and make-ahead dessert trays when you want buttery pastry, tender apple filling, and a simple vanilla glaze in every slice.
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
2 large egg yolks
1/2 cup milk
7 cups peeled and thinly sliced apples
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 to 3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
Instructions
1. Whisk the flour, granulated sugar, and salt in a large bowl.
2. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture looks crumbly with pea-sized pieces.
3. Whisk the egg yolks with milk, then stir into the flour mixture until a dough forms.
4. Divide the dough into two rectangles, wrap, and chill for 30 minutes.
5. Add apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, cornstarch, and 1 teaspoon vanilla to a saucepan.
6. Cook over medium heat until the apples slightly soften and the juices thicken, then cool for 10 to 15 minutes.
7. Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
8. Roll the larger dough portion into a rectangle and press it into the bottom of the pan.
9. Spread the cooled apple filling evenly over the bottom crust.
10. Roll the second dough portion and place it over the apples, then cut small steam vents in the top.
11. Bake for 38 to 45 minutes, until golden and lightly bubbling.
12. Cool for at least 1 hour.
13. Whisk powdered sugar, remaining 1 teaspoon vanilla, and heavy cream or milk into a thick glaze.
14. Spread or drizzle the glaze over the cooled pastry and let it set before slicing.
Notes
Chill the dough before rolling so the butter stays cold and the pastry bakes flaky.
Cook the apple filling until thickened before adding it to the pan so the bottom crust does not turn soggy.
Let the baked pastry cool before glazing and slicing for cleaner bakery-style squares.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 286
- Sugar: 27 g
- Sodium: 93 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Keywords: Chicago Style Bakery Apple Slices, apple slices, apple dessert bars, bakery apple slices, easy apple dessert, glazed apple pastry