Ahhh, Chicago-style bakery apple slices 🍎🥧 — flaky crust, tender cinnamon apples, and that iconic sweet glaze on top. These are the rectangular apple slices you see in Chicago bakeries, not a traditional pie.
Here’s the authentic-style version.
Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Slices
Ingredients
Crust
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup cold butter, cubed
- 6–8 tbsp ice water
(You can substitute 2 store-bought pie crusts if preferred)
Apple Filling
- 6–7 Granny Smith apples, peeled and thinly sliced
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
Instructions
1. Make the crust
- Mix flour, sugar, and salt.
- Cut in butter until crumbly.
- Add ice water until dough comes together.
- Divide dough in half, wrap, chill 1 hour.
2. Prepare the apples
- Toss apples with sugars, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and vanilla.
- Let sit 10 minutes.
3. Assemble
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Roll one dough half into a rectangle and place in a parchment-lined 9×13 pan, letting edges hang over.
- Add apple filling evenly.
- Roll second dough half and place on top.
- Trim and crimp edges.
- Cut small slits on top for steam.
4. Bake
- Bake 45–55 minutes until crust is golden and filling bubbles.
- Cool completely (important!).
5. Glaze
- Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until thick but pourable.
- Drizzle generously over cooled pastry.
6. Slice
- Cut into rectangular slices like a bakery.
Bakery-Style Tips
- Granny Smith apples are essential for the tart balance.
- Let it cool fully before glazing or slicing.
- For extra authenticity, use a thick glaze, not icing-thin.
- These taste even better the next day.
Optional Chicago Bakery Variations
- Add a thin layer of apple butter under the apples
- Sprinkle coarse sugar on top crust before baking
- Use a touch of almond extract in the glaze
If you want, I can also give you:
- Old-school Chicago bakery shortcuts
- Apple slice with crumb topping
- Make-ahead / freezer instructions
Just say the word 🍎✨
