Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Slices

Discovering new culinary delights from the comfort of your own home has become a modern-day adventure, fueled by the vast expanse of the internet. One such discovery that caught my eye is the tantalizing Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Slices. Although I’ve yet to set foot in the windy city myself, the mere sight of these delectable treats, with their gooey apple filling ensconced in flaky pie crust and adorned with a generous sugary glaze, sparked an irresistible craving. So, let’s embark on a journey through this recipe, where we’ll craft our own version of these heavenly apple slices, infusing them with a touch of uniqueness and originality.

Ingredients:

For the Pie Dough:

• 4 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 1/4 cups of chilled unsalted butter (2 1/2 sticks)
• 1/2 cup of ice water, plus extra as needed

For the Filling:

• 4 cups of apple pie filling (canned or homemade)

For the Glaze:

• 1 cup of powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons of softened unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons of whole milk

Directions:

Preparing the Pie Dough:

1. Begin by combining the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and salt in a large bowl, stirring until well incorporated.
2. Grate the chilled unsalted butter over the flour mixture using a cheese grater, ensuring it remains firm. Alternatively, you can cube or slice the butter and incorporate it using a pastry blender or two forks.
3. Create a well in the center of the flour mixture and add the ice water. Using a fork, swiftly toss the mixture to combine.
4. Gradually add cold water, 2 tablespoons at a time, stirring after each addition until the dough becomes moist and easily holds together. Avoid adding excess water; the dough should not be sticky, and small butter pieces should be visible.
5. On a lightly floured surface, gently knead the dough just until it comes together. Divide it in half and flatten each half into a 1-inch thick rectangle.
6. Wrap each rectangle in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Assembling and Baking:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F and prepare a 9×13-inch jelly roll pan.
2. Roll out one rectangle of dough on a lightly floured surface to roughly the size of the jelly roll pan and press it into the bottom of the pan.
3. Spread the apple pie filling evenly over the dough.
4. Roll out the remaining rectangle of dough to match the size of the pan and place it on top of the apple filling. Pinch the edges of the dough together, but don’t worry about sealing them completely.
5. Create a few vents in the top crust to allow steam to escape, then bake for approximately 40 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through, until the crust is golden brown. Once baked, transfer the pie to a wire rack to cool.

Making the Glaze and Serving:

1. Once the pie has cooled, prepare the glaze by beating together the powdered sugar, softened butter, vanilla extract, and whole milk until smooth.
2. Spread the glaze evenly over the top of the crust and allow it to set and harden.
3. Finally, slice the pie into squares and serve, indulging in the delightful blend of flaky crust, gooey apple filling, and sugary glaze.

Conclusion:
With each bite of these homemade Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Slices, you’ll be transported to a realm of sweet indulgence, where the flavors dance on your palate and warm your soul. While the origins of this recipe may lie in the bustling bakeries of Chicago, your rendition brings a touch of personal flair and creativity to the table. So, savor each moment of this culinary adventure, relishing in the joy of creating something truly extraordinary in your own kitchen.

image source : Easy Daily Recipes