Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Slices

If you’ve ever wandered into an old-fashioned Midwestern bakery, chances are you’ve spotted a tray of Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Slices sitting proudly on the counter. These aren’t your typical apple pies or turnovers. Instead, they’re baked in a big rectangular pan, cut into generous squares, and finished with a simple glaze that makes them look as irresistible as they taste.

Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Slices are the kind of dessert that feels like a hug from your grandmother’s kitchen. Buttery, flaky pastry holds a luscious apple filling spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, while the drizzle of vanilla glaze adds just the right finishing touch. They’re perfect for potlucks, holiday gatherings, or just because you’re craving a slice of sweet nostalgia.

Much like comforting classics such as Lemon Cream Cake or the hearty Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings, this recipe proves that simple ingredients, combined with love, can create something truly memorable.

10 Irresistible Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Slices – Classic Midwestern Dessert Recipe

Ingredients

For the Crust:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

• 2 large eggs

• 5–6 tablespoons cold water

For the Apple Filling:

• 8 cups apples (about 6–8 medium apples), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced

• ¾ cup granulated sugar

• ¼ cup packed light brown sugar

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted

For the Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• 2–3 tablespoons milk

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions – Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Slices

Step 1 – Prepare the Crust

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Beat the eggs and add to the mixture along with cold water, one tablespoon at a time, until dough just comes together. Divide in half, wrap, and chill for at least 30 minutes.

Step 2 – Preheat Oven & Pan

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch pan.

Step 3 – Make the Apple Filling

Toss sliced apples with sugars, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice until evenly coated.

Step 4 – Assemble

Roll out one portion of dough and line the prepared pan. Pour in the apple mixture, spread evenly, and drizzle with melted butter. Roll out second portion of dough and place on top. Seal edges and cut a few slits for steam.

Step 5 – Bake

Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly. Cover edges with foil if browning too quickly.

Step 6 – Glaze

Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle over cooled apple slices.

Tips & Variations

• Apple Varieties: Use a mix of tart Granny Smith and sweet Honeycrisp for balance.

• Make Ahead: You can prepare the crust a day in advance and refrigerate.

• Prevent Sogginess: Blind-bake the bottom crust for 10 minutes before adding filling.

• Fun Twist: Swap apples for pears, or mix in cranberries for a festive version.

This versatility is what makes Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Slices just as exciting as recipes like Blueberry Sour Cream Pound Cake—classic flavors with room to play.

Storage

• Room Temperature: Best eaten the same day.

• Fridge: Store slices in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

• Freezer: Wrap tightly and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.

Time & Yield

• Prep Time: 45 minutes

• Cook Time: 45 minutes

• Custom Time: 40 minutes (chilling + glazing)

• Total Time: About 2 hours 10 minutes

• Servings: 12–15 slices

• Calories: ~320–350 kcal per slice

Tools Used

• Mixing bowls

• Pastry cutter or fork

• 9×13-inch baking pan

• Rolling pin

• Whisk

• Sharp knife

FAQs about Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Slices

1. Can I use store-bought crust?
Yes, though homemade crust gives the authentic bakery-style texture.

2. What kind of apples work best?
A mix of tart and sweet apples, like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp, ensures great flavor.

3. Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes—use plant-based butter and almond milk in the glaze.

4. How do I keep the top crust flaky?
Keep butter cold and don’t overwork the dough.

Final Thoughts

Few desserts bring back bakery nostalgia quite like Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Slices. They’re flaky, sweet, and comforting, perfect for holidays or just a cozy family treat. With their golden crust and spiced apple filling, they embody the heart of Midwestern baking.

For a complete comfort spread, serve these apple slices alongside Creamy Mushroom Soup for a cozy dinner, or finish with something light like Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad.

If you’d like even more creative ways to bake with apples, check out this trusted guide from AllRecipes for endless inspiration.

Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Slices aren’t just dessert—they’re a slice of tradition, a piece of nostalgia, and a reminder that homemade comfort food will always have a special place at the table.

Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Slices

Classic Midwestern bakery dessert with buttery crust, spiced apple filling, and sweet vanilla glaze. Perfect for gatherings or cozy family treats.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 45 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

40 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 350

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• For the Crust:
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter cold, cubed
• 2 large eggs
• 5 –6 tbsp cold water
• For the Apple Filling:
• 8 cups apples 6–8 medium, peeled, cored, sliced
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup light brown sugar packed
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter melted
• For the Glaze:
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 –3 tbsp milk
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

Equipment

• - Mixing bowls
• Pastry cutter or fork
• Rolling Pin
• - 9x13-inch baking pan
• - Whisk
• Sharp knife

Method

 

1. Prepare crust: Mix flour, sugar, salt. Cut in butter until crumbly. Add eggs + cold water, form dough. Chill 30 mins.
2. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease 9×13 pan.
3. Make filling: Toss apples with sugars, flour, spices, and lemon juice.
4. Roll half the dough, fit in pan. Add apple mixture. Drizzle with melted butter. Cover with second rolled dough. Seal edges, cut slits.
5. Bake 40–45 minutes until golden.
6. Mix glaze ingredients. Drizzle over cooled slices.
7. Slice, serve, and enjoy!

Notes

Mix apple types (Granny Smith + Honeycrisp) for best balance.

Chill crust dough for max flakiness.

Blind-bake bottom crust 10 minutes if you want extra crispiness.