Irresistible Apple Slab Pie Recipe

Sweet Countryside Apple Slab Pie Recipe: Homemade Joy

When summer’s bounty meets a classic apple slab pie recipe, magic happens in the kitchen.

Sweet, juicy apples nestled between flaky, buttery pastry create a dessert that sings of comfort and tradition.

Generous slices of ripe fruit mingle with warm spices, promising a delightful treat for any gathering.

The rustic charm of this pie makes it perfect for potlucks, picnics, or lazy weekend afternoons.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of tender apples and crisp crust that melts in your mouth.

Serve this crowd-pleasing dessert warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an irresistible finale that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 1 hour

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 46 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 9

Ingredients That Go Into Apple Slab Pie

For the Crust Foundation:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides sturdy structure and smooth texture for the perfect pie base, choose unbleached flour for best flavor.
  • Sugar: Adds subtle sweetness and helps with golden browning of the crust.
  • Table Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the richness of butter.
  • Unsalted Butter: Creates flaky, tender layers with rich, creamy taste, ensure it's ice-cold for optimal pastry texture.
  • Cold Water: Binds ingredients without overworking the dough, keeping crust tender and light.
For the Apple Filling Flavor:
  • Apples: Select firm, tart varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that hold shape and provide balanced sweetness, peel and chunk for perfect bite.
  • Lemon Juice: Prevents browning and adds bright, zesty undertone to the filling.
  • Sugar: Balances apple tartness and creates glossy, caramelized texture.
  • Cornstarch: Thickens juices and prevents soggy bottom, creating perfect filling consistency.
  • Ground Cinnamon: Warm, aromatic spice that defines classic apple pie flavor.
  • Ground Nutmeg: Adds depth and subtle warmth to the spice profile.
  • Ground Allspice: Provides complex, slightly peppery undertone to complement apples.
  • Table Salt: Enhances and rounds out all the sweet and spicy flavors.
For the Finishing Touch:
  • Heavy Cream or Beaten Egg: Creates golden, glossy surface and helps achieve beautiful, shiny crust.

Baking Tools for Apple Slab Pie Success

  • Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining crust ingredients and mixing apple filling.
  • Pastry cutter or fork: Perfect for cutting butter into flour until crumbly.
  • Rolling pin: Needed to roll out pie crust evenly and smoothly.
  • 9×13 inch baking pan: Ideal for creating a slab-style pie with plenty of servings.
  • Sharp knife: Great for slicing apples and trimming pie crust edges.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
  • Cooling rack: Helps pie cool evenly after baking, preventing soggy bottom.

How to Assemble a Golden Apple Slab Pie

  • Pastry Foundation

Blend dry ingredients with chilled butter until crumbly, creating a delicate texture. Add just enough cold water to help the mixture come together. Separate the dough into two portions and let them rest in the refrigerator to develop flavor and prevent shrinking.

  • Fruit Filling Preparation

Select ripe, crisp apples and slice them into delicate wedges. Toss with a splash of citrus and warm spices, allowing the flavors to mingle and develop a rich, aromatic character. The cornstarch will help create a luxurious, glossy sauce that binds the fruit together.

  • Assembly and Baking

Roll out the chilled dough and drape it into a large baking sheet. Spread the spiced apple mixture across the pastry, leaving a small border. Cover with the second layer of dough, sealing the edges carefully. Bake in a hot oven until the crust turns golden brown and the filling bubbles with excitement. Let the pie cool and settle before serving, allowing the flavors to harmonize.

Tips to Get That Perfect Apple Filling

  • Freeze butter for 15 minutes before cutting into flour mixture to ensure extra flaky, tender crust that crumbles perfectly.
  • Mix Granny Smith with Honeycrisp apples for balanced sweetness and tartness, creating complex flavor layers that dance on your taste buds.
  • Prepare entire pie up to two days before baking, storing covered in refrigerator to save time during busy holiday gatherings.
  • Drizzle warm caramel sauce or sprinkle cinnamon-sugar topping right after cooling for an elevated dessert experience that wows guests.

Serving Suggestions for Apple Slab Pie

  • Rustic Dessert Centerpiece: Showcase this golden-brown apple slab pie as the star of your dining table, letting its buttery crust and caramelized apple filling draw everyone's attention.
  • Cozy Autumn Companion: Serve warm slices alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, creating a comforting dessert that captures the essence of fall's sweet flavors.
  • Brunch Delight Pairing: Cut into neat squares and serve with freshly brewed coffee or spiced chai tea, making it a perfect weekend morning treat that brings family and friends together.
  • Picnic Perfect Slice: Pack individual portions in parchment paper for an easy-to-carry dessert that travels well and adds a homemade touch to outdoor gatherings or potlucks.

Ways to Keep Your Slab Pie Tasting Fresh

  • Smart Slicing Strategy: Cut the apple slab pie into neat rectangular pieces while still slightly warm to get clean, picture-perfect servings that showcase all delicious layers.
  • Refrigeration Magic: Store covered pie in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, keeping it fresh and maintaining its delectable texture by wrapping tightly with plastic wrap or placing in an airtight container.
  • Room Temperature Charm: Allow leftover pie to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to enhance flavor and soften the crust, making each bite more enjoyable.
  • Freezing Wisdom: Wrap individual slices or the entire slab pie in aluminum foil, then place in a freezer-safe bag for convenient storage up to 3 months – perfect for future dessert cravings or unexpected guests.
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Crispy Popcorn Chicken Recipe

Crispy Popcorn Chicken Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 10 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Savory popcorn chicken delights with crispy, bite-sized morsels of seasoned chicken. Crunchy exterior and juicy interior make this recipe a crowd-pleaser you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ lbs (680 g) chicken thighs, boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 2 cups (480 ml) buttermilk, reduced fat
  • 3 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 3 cups (270 g) potato chips, Kettle Brand® Sour Cream and Onion, crushed
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) butter, unsalted, melted
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp dried thyme
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
  • 2 tbsps parsley leaves, fresh, chopped

Instructions

  1. Marination Preparation: Whisk buttermilk, garlic, basil, oregano, thyme, cayenne, kosher salt, and black pepper in a large bowl to create a vibrant flavor infusion.
  2. Chicken Immersion: Submerge chicken chunks completely in the marinade, refrigerating for 30 minutes to allow deep flavor penetration and meat tenderization.
  3. Coating Creation: Pulverize potato chips into fine, uniform crumbs using a rolling pin or food processor, preparing a crispy exterior medium.
  4. Breading Process: Drain chicken pieces on paper towels, then meticulously coat each chunk in crushed potato chip crumbs, pressing firmly to ensure complete coverage.
  5. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C), positioning a wire rack sprayed with nonstick cooking spray over a rimmed baking sheet for optimal air circulation.
  6. Strategic Arrangement: Distribute breaded chicken pieces on the rack, maintaining spacing to promote even cooking and maximum crispiness.
  7. Flavor Enhancement: Drizzle melted unsalted butter over the coated chicken to promote golden browning and add rich depth of flavor.
  8. Baking Technique: Roast for 20-25 minutes, rotating the baking sheet midway to ensure uniform cooking and consistent crisp texture.
  9. Doneness Verification: Confirm chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) with a golden, crunchy exterior.
  10. Serving Finale: Rest chicken for 2-3 minutes, allowing juice redistribution, then garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately with preferred dipping sauce.

Notes

  • Marinate Strategically: Refrigerate chicken in buttermilk mixture exactly 30 minutes to maximize flavor absorption and meat tenderness without making texture mushy.
  • Crush Chips Carefully: Use consistent, fine crumb size when crushing potato chips to ensure even, crispy coating that adheres perfectly to chicken pieces.
  • Butter Boosts Browning: Drizzling melted butter before baking guarantees golden, extra-crispy exterior with rich, enhanced flavor profile.
  • Temperature Check Matters: Always confirm chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature to ensure safe consumption while maintaining juicy, tender meat texture.
  • Prep Time: 35 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 415
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 850 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 37 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 24 g
  • Cholesterol: 85 mg
Sophie Reynolds

Sophie Reynolds

Co-Founder, Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • Home Cooking Innovation & Comfort Recipes
  • Flavor Development & Ingredient Pairing
  • Seasonal Produce Integration
  • Recipe Testing & Instructional Clarity
  • Culinary Education & Community Workshops

Education

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO

  • Degree: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern culinary techniques, emphasizing sustainable cooking practices, kitchen professionalism, and real-world restaurant experience through externships.

Oregon State University

  • Degree: B.S. in Nutrition and Food Management
  • Focus: In-depth study of human nutrition, food safety, meal planning, and food-service operations, with a strong foundation in public health, dietetics, and community-based nutrition programs.

Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café. 

Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.

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