Okay, real talk — nothing pulls a family into the kitchen faster than the smell of warm apples and cinnamon floating through the house. And when I say this Apple Slab Pie hits different… I mean, it’s like your classic apple pie showed up in a bigger baking pan wearing a flannel and saying, “Hey y’all, everyone gets a slice today.”
Honestly, I’m a sucker for any dessert that can feed a whole party without making me panic about running out. You know that moment at Thanksgiving when your uncle slices his piece just a little too big? Yeah… slab pie saves the day.
Let’s jump into this cozy treat that tastes like fall, comfort, and a hug from your grandma — all baked into one giant pan.
Why I Love This Apple Slab Pie
You know how regular apple pie sometimes feels too small? This one is like the big sibling who actually shares. The crust stays flaky, the apples stay soft but not mushy, and it slices so clean you’d think it came from a bakery display case at Costco — except way better.
Plus, it works for potlucks, holidays, game nights, and honestly… Tuesdays.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s everything that goes into this big, cozy pan of apple happiness. I’ll break it down to keep it super easy.
Crust (you can make this or use store-bought pie crusts — no judgment here!)
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 ¾ cups cold unsalted butter, cubed
- ½ to ⅔ cup ice water
(If you’re like me and sometimes go “ehh, store-bought is fine,” two boxes of refrigerated pie crusts work great.)
Apple Filling
- 3.5–4 lbs apples (I love mixing Granny Smith + Honeycrisp, kinda like a sweet-tart power couple)
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- ⅔ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Assembly
- 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water (egg wash magic)
- 2 tablespoons coarse sugar for sprinkling
How to Make Apple Slab Pie (Step-by-Step but Chill)
I’ll walk you through it, but don’t worry — this is one of those recipes that looks fancy but isn’t stressful. Pinky promise.
1. Get That Crust Ready
If you’re making it from scratch:
Mix the flour and salt, toss in the cold butter, and cut it in until it kinda looks like little pebbles. Add the ice water slowly and stop once it comes together.
Chill it while you prep the apples.
If you’re using store-bought:
Honestly… pop those crusts out and take a breath. You just saved yourself 15 minutes.
2. Mix the Apple Filling
This part smells amazing.
In a big bowl, throw in your sliced apples, both sugars, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, lemon juice, and vanilla.
Give it a good mix — like coating potato wedges in seasoning, but sweeter.
3. Build the Slab Pie
Roll out your crust to fit a sheet pan (a 10×15 rimmed pan works great).
Lay the bottom crust in, pour in the apples, then top it with the second crust.
Pinch the edges, cut a few vents, and try not to overthink it. Rustic is cute.
Brush with egg wash and sprinkle coarse sugar on top.
That crunchy sugary top? Yeah… it makes the whole thing.
4. Bake It
Bake at 375°F until golden brown and bubbling. Your kitchen will smell like one of those fall candles people buy at Target, but, like, the real version.
Tips to Make It Even Quicker
- Store-bought crust? Totally fine. Honestly, nobody notices.
- Slice apples thin so they cook evenly — plus they stack nicer.
- Mix apple varieties. It gives the flavor some fun contrast.
- Want cleaner slices? Let it cool a bit before cutting. I know, patience is hard.
Serving Ideas
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or even a little caramel drizzle. My cousin pours warm caramel on his slice like he’s in a dessert commercial, and honestly… respect.
Final Thoughts
This Apple Slab Pie is one of those recipes that makes people smile before they even take a bite. It’s homey, it’s cozy, and it shows up big — literally. Whether you’re hosting family or just craving something sweet after dinner, this pie has your back.