Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Slice
A Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Slice is a delightful, sweet treat featuring a buttery, flaky crust, a layer of sweet, spiced apples, and a crumble topping. This dessert is perfect for fall or anytime you’re craving a warm, comforting slice of apple goodness!
Ingredients:
For the Crust:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cut into cubes
- 1 large egg
- 2-3 tablespoons cold water (if needed)
For the Apple Filling:
- 4-5 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well), peeled, cored, and sliced thin
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Pinch of salt
For the Streusel Topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Crust:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold butter with a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add the egg and stir to combine. If the dough seems too dry, add cold water, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it a couple of times to bring it together. Form it into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to chill.
2. Make the Apple Filling:
- While the dough chills, prepare the apple filling. In a large bowl, toss the apple slices with sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt. Set aside to allow the flavors to meld.
3. Make the Streusel Topping:
- In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, oats, and cinnamon. Add the cold butter and cut it into the dry ingredients using a pastry cutter or your fingers until it forms a crumbly mixture. Set aside.
4. Assemble the Apple Slice:
- Once the dough has chilled, roll it out on a lightly floured surface to fit into a 9×13-inch baking dish, pressing it into the edges.
- Spoon the apple filling evenly over the crust.
- Sprinkle the streusel topping over the apples, covering them completely.
5. Bake:
- Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the crust is golden and the apples are tender. The topping should be golden and crispy.
- Remove from the oven and allow the apple slice to cool for about 20 minutes before slicing.
6. Serve:
Serve warm, possibly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for extra indulgence!
Tips:
- Apple Variety: For the best flavor, use a mix of tart apples like Granny Smith and sweeter varieties like Honeycrisp.
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the crust and filling ahead of time and assemble the apple slice the day you plan to bake it.
- Freezing: These can also be frozen before baking. Just assemble everything, cover it well, and freeze. When ready to bake, thaw it in the fridge overnight, then bake as directed.
Enjoy this delicious, warm apple slice with a crisp crust and sweet, spiced apple filling, just like you’d find in a Chicago bakery! 🍏🍰
