Description
Classic Chicago-style bakery apple slices made with a buttery crust, spiced apple filling, and a sweet crumb topping, baked until golden and sliceable like traditional bakery bars.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 6 cups apples, peeled and thinly sliced
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar (for filling)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for topping)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a large baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in cold butter until crumbly.
- Add eggs and mix until a dough forms.
- Press two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- In another bowl, toss apple slices with sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch.
- Spread apple mixture evenly over the crust.
- Mix remaining dough with brown sugar, flour, and melted butter to create a crumb topping.
- Sprinkle crumb topping evenly over apples.
- Bake for 45–50 minutes until golden and set.
- Cool completely before slicing into bars.
Notes
- Use firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best texture.
- Let cool fully for clean bakery-style slices.
- Serve plain or dusted with powdered sugar.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American