Description
This Apple Slab Pie is a rustic and delicious dessert featuring a flaky, tender homemade crust filled with a generous amount of spiced apple filling. Baked in a large jelly roll pan, it offers a practical way to serve many guests with its 24 generous slices. The pie’s golden crust topped with a sugar dust and egg wash adds a delightful sweetness and crunch, making it a perfect autumn treat for gatherings or family dinners.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Pie Crust
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 1/4 cup shortening
- 1/2 cup cold butter, cut into small cubes
- 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
Apple Pie Filling
- 10-12 cups apples (about 4 pounds), peeled and chopped
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Crust Dust
- 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
- 2 Tbsp. sugar
Egg Wash
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 Tbsp. water
Instructions
- Prepare Dough: In a large bowl, mix 4 cups flour and 2 teaspoons salt. Cut in 1 ¼ cup shortening and ½ cup cold butter cubes until the mixture resembles small peas.
- Mix Liquids: Combine ¾ cup milk and 1 Tbsp. lemon juice in a small bowl. Add 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil to this mixture.
- Form Dough: Add the liquid mixture to the flour mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms. You may need to use your hands to bring it all together.
- Chill Dough: Divide dough into two equal portions, flatten into discs, wrap with plastic, and refrigerate for about 30 minutes while preparing the filling.
- Prepare Filling: Peel and chop 10-12 cups of apples. In a large bowl, toss apples with ⅔ cup sugar, ¼ cup flour, 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon nutmeg until well coated.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Place a pizza stone on the rack if available to preheat.
- Roll Bottom Crust: On a lightly floured surface, roll one dough disc into a rustic 13×18-inch rectangle about ⅛ inch thick.
- Assemble Bottom Crust: Place the rolled dough into a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan, allowing excess to hang over edges.
- Add Crust Dust: Sprinkle a mixture of 2 Tbsp. flour and 2 Tbsp. sugar evenly over the bottom crust.
- Add Filling: Pour the apple filling evenly over the crust dust layer.
- Roll Top Crust: Roll out the second dough disc to the same size as the bottom crust.
- Cover Filling: Place the top crust over the apples.
- Seal Edges: Fold the overhang of the top and bottom crusts back and tuck into the pan. Pinch or crimp edges with fingers or a fork to seal.
- Vent Pie: Cut slits into the top crust to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Apply Egg Wash: Brush the top crust lightly with a beaten egg mixed with 1 Tbsp. water, then sprinkle with sugar.
- Bake: Bake pie at 400°F for 30 minutes.
- Cover and Continue Baking: Loosely cover the pie with foil and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes until the top is golden and the filling is bubbling.
- Cool: Let the pie cool for at least 2 hours before slicing to allow the filling to set.
Notes
- Storage: Store leftover pie covered with plastic wrap in the pan for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
- Baking Sheets: Use light-colored baking sheets if substituting pans. Dark sheets may require adjusting baking time to prevent burning.
