Introduction
Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Slices are a nostalgic Midwestern dessert known for their thick, soft crust, cinnamon-spiced apple filling, and sweet glaze on top. Unlike traditional pie, these are baked in a sheet pan and cut into squares—perfect for sharing and reminiscent of old-school neighborhood bakeries.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Classic bakery-style texture
- Perfect balance of crust and filling
- Great for feeding a crowd
- Delicious warm or cold
Ingredients (Makes 12–15 slices)
Crust & Topping
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup butter, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ tsp salt
Filling
- 5 cups apples, peeled and thinly sliced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work best)
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Optional Add-Ins
- Raisins
- Chopped walnuts or pecans
- Caramel drizzle
- Extra cinnamon sugar topping
Tips for Success
✔ Slice apples thinly so they soften evenly
✔ Chill dough briefly if it’s too soft to handle
✔ Don’t skip lemon juice—it brightens flavor
✔ Let bars cool fully before glazing
Instructions
1. Preheat Oven
Preheat to 350°F / 175°C and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
2. Make Dough
In a bowl, mix flour, butter, sugar, and salt until crumbly dough forms.
3. Press Base Layer
Press half the dough firmly into bottom of pan.
4. Prepare Filling
In another bowl, toss apples with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and cornstarch.
5. Assemble
Spread apple mixture evenly over crust. Crumble remaining dough over top.
6. Bake
Bake 40–45 minutes until top is lightly golden and apples are tender.
7. Cool & Glaze
Whisk glaze ingredients and drizzle over cooled bars. Slice into squares.
Flavor & Texture
- Soft, buttery crust
- Tender cinnamon apples
- Light sweetness
- Smooth vanilla glaze
Nutritional Information (Approx. per slice)
- Calories: 290
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fat: 13 g
- Protein: 3 g
Conclusion
Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Slices are a comforting classic that blends pie-like flavor with the convenience of a handheld dessert bar. They’re easy to make, perfect for sharing, and guaranteed to bring cozy bakery vibes to your kitchen.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream
- Pair with coffee or tea
- Dust with extra cinnamon sugar
- Pack for picnics or bake sales
Healthful Indulgence Tip
Use whole-wheat pastry flour and reduce sugar slightly for a more wholesome version while keeping the soft, bakery-style texture.