Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Slices – A Must-Try Classic

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Sure! Here’s a big, warm, nostalgic recipe for Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Slices — the kind of old-school dessert that brings back memories of Midwest bakeries and grandma’s kitchen. This recipe is filled with everything: history, ingredients, method, conclusion, and even a note for the apple slice lovers. 🍎🥧

🍏 Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Slices – A Must-Try Classic 😋

💌 Introduction

If you’ve ever walked into a classic Chicago bakery, you’ve likely seen those golden, glossy, thick-cut apple slices peeking out from behind the glass – nestled between flaky, buttery pastry layers, dripping with sugary glaze, and filled with tender, cinnamon-spiced apples. These aren’t your average apple pie bars – they’re apple slices the Chicago way.

Popular throughout the Midwest, especially in Polish and Italian neighborhoods of Chicago, these apple slices are sold in big trays, cut into rectangles, and often eaten cold or room temp. Today, we’re bringing that bakery magic right into your home. 🏡💕

📜 A Bit of History

Chicago-Style Apple Slices have roots in the Eastern European baking traditions brought over by immigrants who settled in the Windy City during the 19th and 20th centuries. The dessert is a cross between an apple pie and a slab pie, baked in a sheet pan for maximum servings – perfect for big families, church gatherings, school bake sales, or Sunday dinners.

Originally made by Polish, German, and Italian-American bakeries, these apple slices became a staple treat — and a symbol of Chicago’s warm, working-class neighborhoods.

🍎 Ingredients

For the Pastry Dough (Top & Bottom Crust):

  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold & cubed
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup cold water
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

For the Apple Filling:

  • 8-10 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup light brown sugar
  • 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch or flour (for thickening)
  • Optional: 1 tbsp butter, dotted over filling before top crust

For the Glaze:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1-2 tbsp milk
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract

👩‍🍳 Instructions & Method

1. Make the Pastry Dough

  • In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and sugar.
  • Cut in the butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  • In a small bowl, whisk egg yolks, vanilla, vinegar, and cold water. Add to the flour mixture.
  • Mix gently until dough forms. Divide in two, shape into rectangles, wrap in plastic, and chill for 1 hour.

2. Prepare the Apple Filling

  • In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice, sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch.
  • Let sit for 10-15 minutes while juices begin to release.

3. Assemble the Apple Slices

  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • Roll out one portion of dough into a large rectangle to fit a 13×9-inch baking pan (or larger sheet pan).
  • Place dough into the greased pan, pressing slightly up the sides.
  • Pour in apple filling and spread evenly. Dot with butter if using.
  • Roll out second dough piece and place over the apples. Pinch edges or fold under.
  • Prick top with fork or cut small slits for steam to escape.
  • Bake for 45-55 minutes, until golden brown and bubbling.

4. Glaze the Top

  • While still slightly warm, whisk powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk into a thick but pourable glaze.
  • Drizzle glaze generously over the entire top.
  • Let cool completely before cutting into big bakery-style slices.

💕 Apple Slice Lovers Say…

“It reminds me of Sundays at my Polish grandmother’s house in Bridgeport!” – 💬 Anna T.

“We used to grab these from the corner bakery after mass. Now I make them for my kids. Still the best.” – 💬 Mike R.

“These apple slices taste like home.” – 💬 Carla G.

🔁 Variations for the Adventurous

  • Add raisins or chopped walnuts to the filling for extra texture.
  • Make a crumb topping instead of top crust for a hybrid version.
  • Use pear and apple mix for a twist on the classic.
  • Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.

🧁 Conclusion

Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Slices are more than a dessert — they’re a nostalgic trip back to community bakeries, shared meals, and the comforting hum of family life. Whether you’re from Chicago or not, this recipe brings that warmth and flavor into your kitchen.

It’s a treat for kids, husbands, grandmas, and guests alike — and once you make it, it’ll become a forever favorite in your home too. 💝

🥧 TL;DR Recipe Summary:

Step What to Do
1. Dough Make and chill a rich, flaky pastry
2. Apples Slice and mix with sugar, spice, lemon
3. Assemble Bottom crust → apple filling → top crust
4. Bake Golden brown at 375°F for ~50 mins
5. Glaze Drizzle sweet glaze over the top

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