Name: Apple Slab Pie Recipe with Flaky Homemade Crust
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 cups all-purpose flour; 1 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon granulated sugar; 1 3/4 cup unsalted butter, ice cold and cubed; 3/4 cup ice cold water; 1 egg; 3 lbs Granny Smith apples, peeled and cubed; 2 lbs Honeycrisp apples, peeled and cubed; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup brown sugar; 1/4 cup all-purpose flour; 2 tablespoon lemon juice; Zest of 1 lemon; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg; 3/4 cup powdered sugar; 2 tablespoon heavy cream

Jump to Recipe

When you think of classic Americana, there is just something about apples, pie crust, and a hint of cinnamon that comes to mind. This apple slab pie recipe with a flaky homemade crust is a step above a traditional apple pie. Instead of the round pie plate, this is made in a large casserole dish with the same basic ingredients just a little different look. Topped with a drizzle of glaze, it's a perfect dessert for any meal.

Apple Slab Pie Recipe

Most think of apple pie as a summertime dessert, but I grew up with it year-round. In fact, I recall one Christmas when my grandma was visiting and she spent hours in the kitchen peeling and slicing apples for multiple pies. Those pies were some of, if not the best, apple pies I have tasted, and I have tried for years to duplicate that beauty and flavor.

This apple recipe is a classic that will fit into any meal, barbecue, or event where dessert is needed. Not just for hot summer days with a scoop of ice cream on top, this pie is one you'll make year-round.

What is an Apple Slab Pie?

You've surely had apple pie before, but what is a "slab pie"? Well, it really is just the same but in a larger portion and different shape. Rather than putting the filling into a round pie plate, you are using a casserole dish or a baking sheet.

A traditional 9"x13" casserole dish is ideal for this recipe, but you can also use a deep-sided baking dish if you want a thin layer. Everything else about this recipe is pretty traditional to your favorite apple pie. Since everyone has a little different idea of what spices and apples to use, it may vary from time to time, but overall, it's just a large pie instead of round.

What is the Best Apple for Making Pie?

Traditionally, reaching for Granny Smith when making a pie was what I grew up thinking was the best. It is still delicious and ideal, but now I like to use a mixture of apples when baking. My favorite apple of all time is probably the Honeycrisp. It's just simply the perfect combination of sweet and tart with a crisp texture that softens beautifully when cooked.

Other options you can combine or use alone include Golden Delicious, Braeburn, Jonagold, and McIntosh. Since there are as many apple varieties as there are varieties of apple pie styles, you can use many other types in your pie if you want. The key is to use an apple that is crisp but softens without getting mushy. Another point is to find one that is sweet but has a hint of tart in the flavor.

If you want to up the flavor, you could whip up a batch of these Chai-spiced baked apples. They add a unique flavor to the pie that will be a new favorite.

What Goes on Top of Apple Slab Pie?

Apple pie is usually served with a scoop of ice cream on top. This recipe includes a simple glaze that is perfect for a light option. You can, of course, add ice cream on top if you prefer. Below are some other ideas that work well on top of apple pie.

Caramel or butterscotch syrup drizzled over the top.
Brush with melted butter and sprinkle the top with cinnamon sugar.
Top with whipped cream, cinnamon whipped cream or whipped topping like Cool Whip.
Dust with powdered sugar.
Serve with vanilla bean ice cream, caramel ice cream, butter pecan ice cream, or cinnamon ice cream.

Can I Use a Ready-Made Crust?

While my Granny would shake her head and tsk at me, I confess that a ready-made pie crust is a handy addition to your kitchen when you are making pie. It's nice to be able to skip that step of preparing the dough and simply unroll it into the pie plate or baking dish.

These days, most ready-made crust options are nearly as delicious as homemade. They are definitely affordable and easy to find, so you can absolutely choose to use prepared dough instead of making it from scratch. The results will be delicious and you can do this with zero guilt, but I have to admit, homemade is just a bit better, especially this recipe with all butter.

Ingredients for Crust

All-purpose flour
Salt
Granulated sugar
Unsalted butter
Ice water

Ingredients for Apple Pie Filling

Granny Smith apples
Honeycrisp apples
Granulated sugar
Brown sugar
All-purpose flour
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Lemon juice & zest
Vanilla extract
Egg

Ingredients for Glaze

Powdered sugar
Heavy cream

How to Make Dough for Apple Slab Pie

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and sugar.

Add the cubed butter to the bowl and use a pastry blender or forks to combine into the flour mixture until it creates small crumbles similar to the size of peas.

Slowly mix in the ice water until the dough just begins to form. Don't add too much water but just enough to make the dough come together into clumps.

Form the dough into a ball, then divide in half.

Wrap each half in plastic wrap and chill for at least 30-minutes but up to 5 days before use.

How to Make an Apple Slab Pie

Preheat the oven to 375°F.

Lightly dust a clean surface with flour then turn out 1 ball of dough and roll out into a thin rectangular shape large enough to cover the casserole dish chosen.

Repeat with the second ball of dough.

Place one of the crusts into the bottom of your baking dish and press down and up the sides.

In a large bowl, combine the chopped apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla.

Stir to combine and coat the apples evenly.

Pour the apple mixture into the prepared pie crust and baking dish.

Cover the apples with the second pie crust and crimp around the edges to seal.

In a small bowl whisk the egg with 2 tablespoons water and then brush over the top of the crust.

Place onto the middle rack of the oven, uncovered, and bake for 45-50 minutes or until the crust is golden and bubbling.

While the pie is baking, mix together the powdered sugar and cream to create a simple glaze.

Once the pie is done cooking, allow it to cool slightly before drizzling on the simple glaze.

Serve with additional glaze, caramel syrup drizzle, whipped cream, or ice cream.

Chef's Tip

Chopping enough apples to make this pie can be tedious. I admit that while I am proud of my good knife cuts, I can also be a bit lazy when making something in a hurry. That's why I love my vegetable chopper. I can core the apples then add to the chopper and cut dozens of apples in just 2-3 minutes.

More Delicious Dessert Recipes

Dessert is probably my favorite part of any meal. Having plenty of options to choose from is important in my house, so while I love this pie recipe, you might want something different. Below are a few more of my favorite pies that are perfect for your menu.

📖 Recipe

Yield: 12

Apple Slab Pie Recipe with Flaky Homemade Crust

You are going to fall in love with this apple slab pie recipe with a flaky homemade pie crust that is easy to make and a classic Americana style dessert!

Prep Time 1 hour

Cook Time 45 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes

Ingredients

Pie Crust Ingredients

4 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 ¾ cup unsalted butter, ice cold and cubed
¾ cup ice cold water
1 egg

Apple Pie Filling Ingredients

3 lbs Granny Smith apples, peeled and cubed
2 lbs Honeycrisp apples, peeled and cubed
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar
¼ cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoon lemon juice
Zest of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg

Simple Glaze Ingredients

¾ cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoon heavy cream

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Lightly dust a clean surface with flour then turn out 1 ball of dough and roll out into a thin rectangular shape large enough to cover the casserole dish chosen.
Repeat with the second ball of dough.
Place one of the crusts into the bottom of your baking dish and press down and up the sides.
In a large bowl, combine the chopped apples, granulates sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla.
Stir to combine and coat the apples evenly.
Pour the apple mixture into the prepared pie crust and baking dish.
Cover the apples with the second pie crust and crimp around the edges to seal.
In a small bowl whisk the egg with 2 tablespoons water and then brush over the top of the crust.
Place onto the middle rack of the oven, uncovered, and bake for 45-50 minutes or until the crust is golden and bubbling.
While the pie is baking, mix together the powdered sugar and cream to create a simple glaze.
Once the pie is done cooking, allow it to cool slightly before drizzling on the simple glaze.
Serve with additional glaze, caramel syrup drizzle, whipped cream, or ice cream.

Notes

Serve fresh from the oven with ice cream or whipped cream on top.