Apple Slab Pie Recipe

Apple Slab Pie Recipe: The Crowd-Pleasing Dessert You’ll Want to Make All Year Long

When it comes to classic desserts that warm your heart and fill your home with the smell of baked apples and cinnamon, nothing beats an old-fashioned Apple Slab Pie. This easy, rustic recipe takes everything you love about traditional apple pie and transforms it into a large, rectangular version that’s perfect for feeding a crowd. Flaky, buttery crust, tender cinnamon-spiced apples, and a sweet glaze on top — every bite tastes like fall in dessert form. It’s ideal for holidays, potlucks, or cozy weekends when you want something comforting, simple, and delicious.

Why You’ll Love This Apple Slab Pie Recipe

Apple slab pie has all the charm of a homemade pie but with half the fuss. Instead of worrying about shaping the perfect round crust, you’ll bake it in a sheet pan — making it easier to assemble, cut, and serve. It’s great for gatherings, picnics, or when you want to impress guests without spending hours in the kitchen. Plus, the filling-to-crust ratio is just right — every square delivers a perfect balance of crisp pastry and gooey, spiced apple filling.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Crust:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 6–8 tablespoons ice water

For the Filling:

• 6 cups peeled, cored, and thinly sliced apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix)
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2–3 tablespoons milk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Step-by-Step Instructions for Apple Slab Pie

Step 1: Make the Pie Dough In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized bits of butter. Slowly drizzle in ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing gently until the dough just comes together. Divide the dough in half, shape each portion into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 30 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare the Apple Filling While the dough chills, peel and slice the apples thinly. Place them in a large bowl and toss with granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Mix until the apples are evenly coated. The flour helps thicken the juices as the pie bakes, creating a luscious filling that’s not too runny.

Step 3: Roll Out the Dough Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly flour your surface and roll out one disc of dough into a rectangle slightly larger than your 10×15-inch jelly roll pan. Gently transfer the dough to the pan, pressing it into the corners and up the sides. Trim any excess.

Step 4: Add the Apple Filling Spread the apple mixture evenly over the crust. The apples will mound slightly in the center, but they’ll bake down perfectly.

Step 5: Add the Top Crust Roll out the second disc of dough to fit the top. Place it over the apples, trim any excess edges, and crimp the sides with a fork to seal. Cut several small slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape while baking.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection Brush the top lightly with milk or an egg wash for a golden color. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges. If the edges brown too quickly, cover them with foil.

Step 7: Cool and Glaze Let the pie cool completely on a wire rack. Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to make the glaze, then drizzle it over the cooled pie. Cut into squares and serve — it’s just as perfect warm with ice cream as it is cold the next day.

Tips for the Best Apple Slab Pie

• Choose the Right Apples: Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for balanced flavor and texture. Granny Smith adds tartness, while Honeycrisp or Fuji provide sweetness and juiciness.
• Keep the Butter Cold: Cold butter creates those irresistible flaky layers in your crust.
• Don’t Skip the Lemon Juice: It enhances the apple flavor and keeps the filling bright and fresh.
• Make Ahead Friendly: You can prepare the dough and filling a day in advance — just assemble and bake when ready.
• Add a Crumb Topping: For extra crunch, sprinkle a simple streusel topping made from butter, sugar, and flour over the crust before baking.

Why Apple Slab Pie is Perfect for Crowds

This recipe is tailor-made for feeding groups. Unlike a standard pie that serves 6–8, this slab version can easily serve 12–16 people. It’s easy to slice into neat squares for buffets, bake sales, or gatherings. Plus, it’s transport-friendly — no worrying about delicate edges or cracked crusts. It’s the ultimate dessert for sharing and celebrating.

Fun Variations of Apple Slab Pie

1. Caramel Apple Slab Pie
Drizzle caramel sauce over the apple filling before adding the top crust. It adds a rich, buttery sweetness that’s absolutely decadent.

2. Apple Cranberry Slab Pie
Add ½ cup of dried cranberries to the apple filling for a tart twist and festive color. Perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

3. Apple-Pear Slab Pie
Combine 3 cups of apples with 3 cups of ripe pears for a softer, more fragrant filling that feels elegant and unique.

4. Maple Glazed Apple Pie
Swap the milk in the glaze for pure maple syrup for a fall-inspired topping that pairs beautifully with cinnamon-spiced apples.

5. Dutch-Style Apple Slab Pie
Skip the top crust and use a buttery crumble topping made from brown sugar, flour, oats, and butter. It adds amazing crunch and sweetness.

Serving Suggestions

Apple slab pie is delicious all on its own, but you can elevate it with a few simple touches:

• Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a classic pairing.
• Add a dollop of whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel for extra indulgence.
• Sprinkle a touch of cinnamon sugar over the glaze for a bakery-style finish.
• Pair with a mug of hot apple cider or coffee for the perfect cozy treat.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

• Room Temperature: Store the baked pie (covered) at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• Refrigerate: For longer storage, keep it in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• Freeze: You can freeze baked slab pie for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and warm in the oven before serving.
• Make-Ahead Dough: Prepare and refrigerate pie dough up to 3 days in advance or freeze it for up to a month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use store-bought pie crust?
Yes! Using two packages of refrigerated pie crusts makes this recipe even easier. Just roll them to fit your sheet pan.

Can I use canned apple pie filling?
While fresh apples give the best texture, canned filling can be used in a pinch. Just reduce the sugar slightly since the filling is already sweetened.

Can I make this pie gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute your favorite gluten-free flour blend in the crust, and the recipe works beautifully.

Can I add nuts?
Definitely. Chopped pecans or walnuts add crunch and flavor — sprinkle them over the filling before adding the top crust.

Why This Apple Slab Pie Always Impresses

This recipe is a true crowd-pleaser because it’s as easy as it is beautiful. The large slab format makes it feel rustic and homey, while the flaky crust and gooey apple filling taste like something straight out of a bakery. It’s the kind of dessert that brings people together — warm, cozy, and made to share. Whether you’re serving it for a family gathering, a holiday feast, or a cozy Sunday afternoon, this pie never disappoints.

Pro Tip: Add a Finishing Touch Before baking, sprinkle the top crust with coarse sugar for a sparkling, golden finish. It adds a subtle crunch and makes your pie look bakery-perfect.

Conclusion

Apple Slab Pie is the ultimate dessert for any season — comforting in the fall, festive during the holidays, and nostalgic any time of year. With a buttery crust, tender apples, and a sweet vanilla glaze, it’s everything you love about homemade pie, made simple. Whether you bake it for your family or share it at a gathering, this easy apple slab pie recipe is guaranteed to win hearts and taste buds alike. Serve it warm, share it generously, and enjoy the smiles it brings — because few things taste more like home than a slice of fresh, golden apple pie.