Taste Chicago's Finest: Easy and Delicious Bakery Apple Slices Recipe

Photo byAngie Bright

Chicago's bakery scene has long been known for its sweet and savory treats, but one dessert that stands out for its comforting simplicity is the Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Slices. These apple slices aren't just any dessert; they're a nostalgic favorite with roots deep in Chicago's bakery traditions. With layers of flaky pie crust, sweet apple filling, and a buttery glaze, this dessert brings the essence of the Windy City's local bakeries straight to your kitchen.

This recipe for Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Slices keeps things classic, featuring a rich homemade crust and sweet, tender apple pie filling. The soft and gooey filling nestled between buttery layers of crust is topped off with a simple vanilla glaze that hardens just enough to create a perfect balance of textures. Whether you’re looking to impress at a gathering or simply enjoy a taste of Chicago’s bakery culture at home, this dessert has you covered.

Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Slices Recipe

Ingredients:

For the Pie Dough:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 cups unsalted butter, chilled (2 1/2 sticks)
• 1/2 cup ice water, plus more as needed

For the Filling:

• 4 cups apple pie filling (canned is fine)

For the Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 tablespoons whole milk

Preparation:

Make the Pie Dough:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Grate the chilled butter over the flour mixture in stages, mixing lightly between each addition. This technique keeps the butter cold and ensures the dough will turn out flaky. If the butter begins to soften too much, place it back in the freezer for a few minutes before continuing. Alternatively, you can use cubed butter and cut it into the flour mixture with a pastry blender or two forks until it resembles coarse crumbs.

Form a well in the center of the mixture and pour in 1/2 cup of ice water. Stir gently with a fork, adding more water—2 tablespoons at a time—until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overwork it. The dough should hold together but not be sticky.

Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead it gently. Divide the dough in half, shape each portion into a 1-inch thick rectangle, and wrap each in plastic wrap. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to relax and firm up before rolling it out.

Assemble the Apple Slices:
Preheat the oven to 400°F and grease a 9x13-inch jelly roll pan.

On a floured surface, roll out one half of the chilled dough into a rectangle large enough to fit the bottom of the prepared pan. Carefully transfer the dough into the pan, pressing it into the bottom and along the sides. Spread the apple pie filling evenly over the dough, ensuring an even layer of apples.

Roll out the second half of the dough to cover the apple filling. Lay the dough gently over the filling, and pinch the edges together to seal. Make a few small slits in the top crust with a knife to allow steam to escape during baking.

Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through to ensure even browning. The crust should be golden and crisp. Once done, remove the pan from the oven and allow the apple slices to cool on a wire rack.

Prepare the Glaze:
While the apple slices cool, make the glaze by beating together powdered sugar, softened butter, vanilla extract, and milk in a bowl until smooth. The glaze should be thick but spreadable.

Once the apple slices have cooled, spread the glaze evenly over the top crust. Allow the glaze to harden before slicing into squares. These Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Slices are now ready to serve and enjoy!

The Sweet Taste of Tradition

Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Slices are a beloved treat that evokes warm memories of family gatherings, visits to local bakeries, and the comforting aroma of freshly baked goods. The flaky, buttery crust combined with the soft apple filling and sweet glaze creates a timeless dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you're enjoying a piece on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, this classic dessert is sure to bring a taste of Chicago to your table.

Sources for recipe:

1. Serious Eats - Pie Crust Tips
2. The Kitchn - Apple Pie Filling
3. King Arthur Baking - Glaze Techniques