Apple Slices Recipe {Chicago Bakery Style Apple Squares} (2024)

By: Author Kelly

Posted on - Last updated:

Categories Desserts, Recipes

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Chicago-style bakery apple slices. Apple filling between two crusts in a sheet pan, topped with vanilla glaze and cut into squares. These slices are very portable and travel well for your potluck or next get-together!

I grew up in the Chicago suburbs and as an adult I lived in the city. I love Chicago neighborhood bakeries. I have my favorite back home that I still stop in for something sweet when I visit my mom. And I had my favorites in the city, mostly on the north side.

One thing these bakeries had in common were big sheet pans of apple slices in their cases or sitting out on the counter. Often times, they were next to a big sheet pan of frosted fudge brownies, which I'm also crazy about. The bakery always hadApple Slicesand I loved them.

How can I describe them? Not apple pie, not a bar, and not slab pie either. Apple filling between two crusts with a thin glaze on top, and they are cut into squares like brownies. That's my best description and if you've seen or had these apple slices, you know exactly what I'm talking about.

Okay, let's talk my baking skills. Not the best and I debated about this post since my top crust was rather pathetic-looking. But it tasted perfect, the glaze camouflaged any imperfections ~ so no worries for me. Besides, there's no way my sheet pan of apple slices would look like it was from the bakery. But close, damn close.

I found a few recipes for these Chicago-style bakery apple slices that were pretty much the same, apparently adapted from a 1972 edition of theChicago Tribune. That would be the source I wanted and the recipe I chose to adapt.

Apple Slices Recipe {Chicago Bakery Style Apple Squares} (6)

I use lard for all my pie crusts and I highly recommend it. This recipe called for lard, no butter. Try and find a non-hydrogenated, unprocessed lard ~ that's the best to use. The other hydrogenated stuff isn't so good, just sayin'.

Apple Slices Recipe {Chicago Bakery Style Apple Squares} (7)

I used a quart jar of Amish apple dessert filling I had in the pantry. It was perfect for these apple slices. Use any pie filling you prefer, and I'll also put the apple filling directions from the recipe I used in the recipe notes, in case you want to make your own filling. And I used a smaller jelly roll pan, not a full or even half sheet size. You could double the recipe for a larger sheet pan.

Apple Slices Recipe {Chicago Bakery Style Apple Squares} (8)

The dough is a bit hard to work with, at least I thought so. I pressed the dough in the bottom of the pan with my fingers. I rolled the top sheet of dough on the back of a well-floured sheet pan and then transferred it. It still tore in the corners and my attempts to patch it were comical.

This isn't like working with a traditional pie dough. But I don't think it matters, it tasted great, was brown and crispy, and the vanilla-butter glaze on top covers any glaring goofs. Just patch the dough the best you can.

I used to get an apple slice for the car ride home from the bakery, they're very portable. I'd gobble it up right out of the bag, holding it with the little piece of white bakery tissue. So, off you go! Make theseApple Slicesand you'll have this iconic Chicago-style bakery treat at home. They disappear fast! ~ Kelly

You might also like these baked goodies:

  • Cherry Pie Bars
  • Blackberry Peach Cobbler
  • Lemon Squares
  • Apple Pie
  • Cherry Pie
  • Peach Pie
  • Blackberry Crisp (VIDEO)

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Apple Slices Recipe {Chicago Bakery Style Apple Squares} (11)

Apple Slices

Chicago-style bakery apple slices. Apple filling between two crusts in a sheet pan, topped with vanilla glaze and cut into squares.

4.70 from 40 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 24 squares

Calories: 166kcal

Author: Kelly

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt (I use Diamond kosher salt, even for baking)
  • ¾ cup lard (preferably non-hydrogenated, unprocessed)
  • ½ cup water
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 32 ounces apple dessert filling/topping

Glaze:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons melted or softened butter
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 tablespoons whole milk (more to thin, if necessary)

Instructions

  • Sift together flour, baking powder and salt in large bowl. Add lard and cut in with pastry cutter or fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a measuring cup, mix water, egg yolks and lemon juice together and pour over flour mixture. Blend gently with a fork until combined; mixture will be very moist.

  • Divide dough in half. Roll or pat one half of dough directly into 9" by 13" jelly roll pan, bringing dough slightly up the edges. I patted with my hands, you could also try a mini roller. Spread apple filling evenly over the dough. Roll remaining dough to fit the top, either on a well floured pastry board or the back of a sheet pan and then carefully flip it over the top. Press or pinch the edges together, don't worry if it doesn't seal completely, as long as top is completely covering apples. Patch where necessary. Cut several slits in top dough for steam vents.

  • Bake in 400º oven for 40 minutes, until crust is nicely browned, rotating pan halfway. Remove to rack to cool.

  • Make glaze. Combine sugar, softened butter, vanilla and milk until smooth, adding more milk if necessary for consistency. Spread glaze over top of crust with an offset spatula and let glaze set and harden. Cut into 2- or 3-inch squares and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

  • The recipe I adapted included the following directions to make the apple filling: Mix 1¼ cups sugar, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 1 teaspoon cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon salt in a saucepan; add 1¼ cups water. Cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes. Add 3 pounds peeled and pared cooking apples, cut into ¼"-thick slices; simmer for 10 minutes.
  • The dough is very moist and a little hard to work with. You may wrap it in waxed paper and chill for 6 hours or overnight, then roll out for the pan.
  • The recipe yields about 12 to 24 slices, depending on the size you cut them.

Nutrition

Calories: 166kcal Carbohydrates: 23g Protein: 1g Fat: 8g Saturated Fat: 2g Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g Monounsaturated Fat: 3g Trans Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 19mg Sodium: 85mg Potassium: 32mg Fiber: 1g Sugar: 10g Vitamin A: 62IU Vitamin C: 1mg Calcium: 12mg Iron: 1mg

Did you make this recipe? Please comment, rate it and share! And mention me on Instagram @thehungrybluebird or tag #thehungrybluebird so I can see!

*Adapted fromChicago Tribuneand Farm Bell Recipes

Apple Slices Recipe {Chicago Bakery Style Apple Squares} (2024)

FAQs

What is the best apple for apple slices? ›

Fuji has a sweet flavor and incredibly crisp texture that makes it perfect for slicing. It adds a great crunch to salads and sides. Gala has thin skin and tender flesh that allows it to add a tang to salads without leaving stringy skin behind. Honeycrisp is an all-star apple.

How do you make apple slices taste better? ›

9 Things to Pair with an Apple
  1. Sharp Cheddar Cheese.
  2. Almond Butter + Orange Marmalade.
  3. Plain Yogurt + Honey + Cinnamon.
  4. Cream Cheese + Sweet Pickle Relish.
  5. Ricotta + Lemon Zest + Chopped Pistachios.
  6. Balsamic Vinegar + Brown Sugar + Ground Pepper.
  7. Berry Vinaigrette + Walnuts.
  8. Arugula + Bacon.
Sep 10, 2020

How to make dried apple slices for crafts? ›

Instructions for Oven-Dried Apples

Place apple slices on a parchment lined baking sheet, making sure they don't overlap. Insert the baking sheet in the oven. Allow apples to dry anywhere from 3-6 hours. Dehydration time will depend on the size of the apples and moisture content.

How do you prepare apple slices? ›

Apple Treatment Method: Lemon-Lime Soda

I soaked the slices in soda for five minutes, then rinsed in a colander under running tap water. Surprisingly, this worked much better than using lemon water. The slices on the plate looked fresh for nearly three hours, and in the bag for nearly six hours.

Is lemon or lime better for apple slices? ›

“Commercially, apple slices are treated with ascorbic acid [to prevent browning],” Watkins says. Any type of citrus juice—lemon, lime, or orange juice—will work here; pineapple juice will do the trick too. These fruit juices contain citric acid, which slows the chemical reaction and prevents browning.

What apples don't turn brown when sliced? ›

Opal apples aren't the only ones resistant to browning. There also is the Arctic apple produced by the Canadian company Specialty Fruits, Inc. — but they're genetically modified. Specialty Fruits uses gene silencing to produce an apple resistant to browning.

What enhances the flavor of apples? ›

A staple in apple cuisine, cinnamon adds warmth and sweetness. Pinch's Organic Saigon Cinnamon is a top pick for its intense aroma and flavor. Also consider Ceylon “True” Organic Cinnamon Powder – a classic choice for apples, cinnamon adds warmth and sweetness. Ideal for apple pies and crumbles.

How do you soak apple slices to prevent browning? ›

Here's the short version: The best way to prevent browning is to soak the cut fruit in a saltwater solution (half a teaspoon of kosher salt per cup of water) for 10 minutes, then drain and store until ready to use. The mild salt flavor can be rinsed off with tap water before serving.

How long do homemade dried apple slices last? ›

When dehydrated properly, apples can last about six months in small-batch airtight containers, and they can be frozen for up to an entire year—just enough time for the next harvest to roll around. Best of all, they can be rehydrated easily for like-fresh use.

How do you dehydrate apple slices without a dehydrator? ›

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 185 degrees F and set up cooling racks on two large baking sheets.
  2. Wash apples and pat dry with a paper towel. ...
  3. Bake in oven for 1 hour before flipping slices over. ...
  4. Store Oven-Dried Apples in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Sep 8, 2020

Why are my dehydrated apples not crispy? ›

Tip: The apples will get crispier as they cool off so don't overbake them expecting them to come out crispy right out of the oven. If they are not as crisp as you'd like, bake them a little longer or turn off the oven and leave the apples in there until the oven cools off.

Can you pre cut apple slices? ›

This is a really easy way to prep sliced apples and store them in containers in the fridge. You'll need lukewarm water and salt. Once the salt is dissolved, add sliced apples and let sit for about 5 minutes. Rinse with cold water, pat dry, and store in airtight containers for up to 5 days.

What kind of apples does McDonald's use for apple slices? ›

“With the current sliced apple products sold at McDonald's, they use a lot of Gala and Empire apples, which we grow a lot of here in New York,” Gregg said. Todd Fryhover, president of the Washington Apple Commission (WAC), said the apples would have to come from U.S. growers.

Which apple makes the best apple crisp? ›

When it comes to finding the best apple for your crisp, go with a crisp, tart variety that stands up well to baking, like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. Or, go for it – try mixing the two together if you've got both on hand. Golden Delicious is another great choice for crisp hausarbeit schreiben lassen kosten.

Which apples are best for eating raw? ›

The Best Apples to Eat Raw
  • Honeycrisp.
  • Braeburn.
  • Fuji.
  • Gala.
  • Golden Delicious.
  • McIntosh.
  • Empire.

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