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

By: Author Kelly

Posted on - Last updated:

Categories Desserts, Recipes

Recipe Print

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 are the best apples for baking apple squares? ›

For baking, you want apples that hold their shape and have a good balance of sweet and tart flavors.
  • Granny Smith: Known for their tartness and firmness, they hold up well under heat, making them ideal for pies and tarts.
  • Honeycrisp: This apple is sweet with a touch of acidity and retains its firm texture when baked.
May 11, 2024

How do you make apple slices better? ›

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.

Can I cut apples the night before for apple pie? ›

For this reason, I like to slice them immediately before I plan on using them, However, if you want to slice your apples ahead of time, I recommend tossing them in lemon juice and keeping them in a closed container in the refrigerator to keep them from oxidizing.

What 4 apples are best used for baking? ›

Which apples bake best? For the best pies, crisps, and other baked treats, apples need to be firm enough to hold their own during the cooking process. We call these apples “baking apples” and to namedrop, they include Braeburn, Cortland, Honey Gold, Jonathan, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Haralson, and Newtown Pippin.

What apples should not be used for apple pie? ›

There are a few apples that don't make the cut. While great for snacking, Gala, Fuji and Red Delicious are the most common apples that won't hold up in the oven and will give you a watery-mushy pie, tart or cake.

Why put lemon juice on apple slices? ›

The longer the enzyme is exposed, the browner each slice will become. Lemon juice contains citric acid, which is a natural anti-oxidant. Therefore, when you apply lemon juice to apple slices, it helps to prevent the oxidation process.

What does milk do to apple slices? ›

The milk and water covered apple slices will brown as these liquids don't have any acidity to prevent the process of oxidation. You can take the apple slice experiment one step further with your students. Eventually, the apple slice, with the lemon juice, will fully absorb the lemon juice and start to brown.

What does vinegar do to apple slices? ›

If you want your apple slices to stay fresh looking for longer, one trick is adding some lemon juice or vinegar before placing the sliced fruit in an airtight container. The acid helps prevent the apples from oxidizing and turning brown.

How do restaurants keep apples from turning brown? ›

Answer. Sliced apples will undergo browning within a few minutes of being cut. Packaged apples found at McDonalds or in your local produce section are usually treated with a solution of calcium ascorbate (a blend of calcium and vitamin C) or citric acid (found in citrus fruit) to maintain freshness and color.

What liquid will keep apples from turning brown? ›

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.

Do sliced apples need to be refrigerated? ›

A fresh, whole apple is safe to store at room temperature for about one week, but once you cut it, it must be refrigerated, unless it is cooked into a pie. Then you can store it at room temperature for up to two days.

Why are my apples mushy in my pie? ›

When apples are cooked, this pectin breaks down, and the apples turn mushy. However, there are ways to control this pectin breakdown, helping you to ensure that your apple slices are tender, but still hold their shape in the pie. The easiest first step is to pick the right apple.

What is the best kind of apples to use for apple pie? ›

For whatever reason, Granny Smith apples have long been considered the favorite for apple pies. This is likely because they are extremely firm, and do not mush under almost any amount of cooking.

How many apples do I need for 10 cups of sliced apples? ›

According to this equivalent list, 10 cups of sliced apples requires 10 medium apples. To be on the safe side, buy one additional apple. You don't want to run short—after all, it's always better to have too many ingredients than too few!

What type of apple is most popular for baking pies? ›

Granny Smith

This is Ree's favorite type of apple for making apple pie. The green-skinned beauties are notably tart, crisp, and sturdy so they won't turn to mush when baked in a pie. They were first discovered in Australia by Marie Ann "Granny" Smith in the 1800's, but these days they're easy to find year-round.

What kind of apples are best for baking bread? ›

The best apple to use when making apple bread is one with a balance of sweet and tart flavors that won't break down in the baking process. Granny Smith apples are a great go-to as they embody both these traits, as well as Piñata® apples, which can withstand the heat in the kitchen.

What are the best apples for baking apple cake? ›

According to New England Today, the best apples for baking are firm-tart apples, and firm-sweet apples. Firm-tart apples are apples like Granny Smith, Esopus Spitzenburg, Northern Spy, Ida Red, and Pink Pearl. Firm-sweet apples are Ginger Gold, Golden Delicious, Jazz, Jonagold, and Pink Lady.

What are the best apples to use for apple pie or 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.

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