Name: Delicious Apple Slab Pie Recipe
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 4 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (470 grams); 1 ½ tbsp sugar; 1 ½ tsp table salt; 3 sticks unsalted butter, cubed and kept very cold (12 oz or 340 grams); ¾ cup very cold water; 4 pounds apples, peeled, cored and chopped into approximately ½-inch chunks (about 10 cups); Squeeze of lemon juice; ¾ cup sugar; 3 tbsp cornstarch; 1 rounded tsp ground cinnamon; ¼ tsp ground nutmeg; ¼ tsp ground allspice; ⅛ tsp table salt; 2 tbsp heavy cream or 1 egg beaten with 1 tbsp water

Jump to Recipe· 4.6 from 32 reviews

If you’re looking for a show-stopping dessert that brings all those cozy fall vibes and makes your kitchen smell like heaven, you’ve got to try this Delicious Apple Slab Pie Recipe. It’s one of those fantastic recipes that’s surprisingly easy but totally impressive—perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or simply treating yourself on a weekend afternoon. The flaky, buttery crust paired with tender, spiced apples baked in a giant sheet pan is honestly one of the best ways to enjoy apple pie, especially if you want something a little different and shareable. Stick with me here, and I’ll walk you through every step to nail it perfectly!

🧡

Why This Recipe Works

Perfect Balance of Flavors: The blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice highlights the natural sweetness of the apples without overpowering them.
Buttery, Flaky Crust: The cold butter technique ensures a tender, flaky crust that holds up beautifully to the juicy filling.
Easy Slab Format: Baking in a sheet pan means less fuss with individual pies and plenty of servings for a crowd.
Make-Ahead Friendly: The dough can chill beforehand and the pie can be assembled a day ahead, making this a stress-free option for entertaining.

Apple Slab Pie, apple slab pie recipe, fall dessert ideas, easy apple pie, sheet pan apple pie - This image shows a close-up of a square slice of apple pie lifted with a spatula above a white marbled surface. The slice has three main layers: a golden-brown, flaky crust on top with uneven edges and a slightly crispy texture, a thick middle layer filled with chunky cooked apple pieces in a light brown syrupy sauce, and a golden base crust that looks firm but soft. The background shows the rest of the pie still in a baking tray with the same golden crust, and the lighting highlights the pie’s warm colors and textures. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Delicious Apple Slab Pie Recipe uses classic, approachable ingredients that come together to give you a tender, spiced apple pie in slab form. The crust ingredients are simple but all critical to achieving that perfect texture, and the apple filling’s spices add cozy warmth that’s just irresistible. When shopping, pick firm apples that are good for baking—Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady all work great depending on how sweet or tart you like your pie.

Apple Slab Pie, apple slab pie recipe, fall dessert ideas, easy apple pie, sheet pan apple pie - Flat lay of a large simple white ceramic bowl filled with peeled, cored, and chopped fresh apples in half-inch chunks, a small white bowl of granulated sugar, a small white bowl of cornstarch, a small white bowl containing a spice mix of ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground allspice, and table salt, a few cubes of cold unsalted butter arranged neatly on a plain white ceramic plate, a small white bowl of all-purpose flour, a small white bowl of sugar, a small white bowl of table salt, a whole lemon cut in half nearby with some lemon juice visible on a small white bowl, a few whole brown eggs with clean uncracked shells resting on a white ceramic plate, a small white bowl of heavy cream, and a small white bowl of very cold water, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

All-purpose flour: The base of your flaky crust; using a good-quality flour helps with texture.
Sugar: Used both in the crust for a slight sweetness and to sweeten the filling to taste.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
Unsalted butter: The secret to that flaky, tender crust—make sure it’s very cold!
Very cold water: Helps bring the dough together without melting the butter.
Apples: Peeled, cored, and chopped; a mix of tart and sweet apples works best.
Lemon juice: Prevents the apples from browning and adds a fresh brightness.
Cornstarch: Thickens the juicy apple filling so it’s not runny.
Ground spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice): Bring that classic warm apple pie flavor.
Heavy cream or egg wash: Gives the crust a beautiful golden-brown finish.

📝

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love making this apple slab pie exactly as written, but it’s also super forgiving and easy to customize to what you love. Whether you want to try a different spice mix or swap out apples based on what’s fresh, a few tweaks can make it your own—and that’s part of the fun!

Spice Variation: Sometimes I add a pinch of ground ginger or cardamom for an unexpected twist—my friends always ask what’s different about the pie!
Dietary Modifications: You can swap regular sugar for coconut sugar or maple syrup if you want to try a less refined sweetness, and the crust can easily be made gluten-free with a 1:1 flour blend.
Extra Texture: Adding chopped toasted pecans or walnuts to the filling before topping really ups the crunch quotient.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Delicious Apple Slab Pie Recipe

Step 1: Get the Crust Just Right

Start by measuring out your flour, sugar, and salt into a big bowl. Toss in your super cold, cubed butter and rub it into the flour using your fingers—this is my favorite part because you can really feel the texture changing as the butter breaks down just enough to get those pea-sized lumps that create flakiness. Stir in the cold water slowly until the dough just starts to come together into a soft ball. Don’t overwork it! This is key for a tender crust. Pop the dough into the fridge for at least 2 hours—you’ll want it as cold as possible to roll out beautifully later.

Step 2: Mix the Perfect Apple Filling

While the dough chills, peel and chop your apples into roughly ½-inch chunks and toss them with a good squeeze of lemon juice so they don’t brown. In a separate bowl, mix together the sugar, cornstarch, and warming spices. Sprinkle this over the apples and toss until everything is evenly coated. This mix thickens the juices and infuses that familiar apple pie warmth that really makes you hungry just thinking about it.

Step 3: Assemble Your Slab Pie Like a Pro

Preheat your oven to 375°F and line your sheet pan with parchment paper. Roll out the larger piece of dough on a floured surface into an 18×13-inch rectangle, then gently press it into the pan, letting the edges drape over. Chill the crust briefly while you roll the top crust to 16×11 inches. Pour your apple filling into the crust, then carefully lay the top crust over it. Trim and seal the edges firmly with your fingers. Brush the top with cream or egg wash for that gorgeous golden sheen, and don’t forget to cut plenty of 1-inch slits so all the steam can escape while baking.

Step 4: Bake and Then Practice Patience

Bake your slab pie for 40 to 45 minutes until the crust turns golden and you see the filling bubbling through the vents. This part is truly the hardest because your house smells so good! But trust me, letting it cool for at least 45 minutes is essential to keeping those apple juices in place when slicing. Cutting too soon will cause a gooey disaster on your plate, and you don’t want that.

💡

Pro Tips for Making Delicious Apple Slab Pie Recipe

Keep Everything Cold: Cold butter and water are non-negotiable for flaky, tender crust—chill your tools and ingredients when possible.
Don’t Overfill: It may look like your pan is overflowing, but apples shrink a lot while baking—this recipe has the perfect amount of filling.
Use Lots of Slits on Top: This prevents soggy crust by allowing steam to escape freely.
Patience Is Key: Let your pie cool completely to firm up the filling for neat, clean slices—it’s worth the wait!

How to Serve Delicious Apple Slab Pie Recipe

Apple Slab Pie, apple slab pie recipe, fall dessert ideas, easy apple pie, sheet pan apple pie - A white plate with a green rim holds a slice of apple pie topped with a scoop of cinnamon ice cream. The pie slice has several golden, flaky layers of crust on top and bottom, filled with soft, light brown cooked apple pieces surrounded by a glossy syrup. On the ice cream, dark brown caramel sauce slowly drips down the sides. In the background, part of the remaining pie sits on a baking tray on a white marbled surface, with a silver fork nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I love topping slices of this apple slab pie with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream—both add creaminess that balances the warm spices perfectly. A sprinkle of toasted chopped pecans or a drizzle of caramel sauce can also elevate the presentation and flavor, making each bite feel extra special.

Side Dishes

When I’m serving this for a crowd, simple is best: a hot cup of coffee, sharp cheddar cheese (I know it sounds strange but it’s a classic combo with apple pie!), or even a glass of spiced cider complements the pie beautifully. For a cozy brunch, try pairing it with scrambled eggs or a mild, creamy cheese spread to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ll cut the slab pie into neat rectangles and serve it on a wooden board with small bowls of toppings—think caramel sauce, chopped nuts, and ice cream. You can even garnish with fresh herbs like a little mint or thyme for a pop of color that makes your dessert table pop. It’s a crowd-pleaser and looks stunning with minimal effort.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually cover leftovers with foil or plastic wrap and keep the slab pie at room temperature for the day if possible, as it tastes best fresh. If you’re storing it longer, refrigerate to keep the apples from getting too mushy, but bring slices back to room temp before serving for the best flavor.

Freezing

Yes, you can freeze this pie, though I recommend freezing before baking for best texture. Assemble the pie as usual, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready, bake it straight from frozen, adding about 10–15 minutes to the cook time.

Reheating

Reheat slices in a 300°F oven for about 15–20 minutes to warm through without drying out the crust. A quick zap in the microwave works in a pinch, but you’ll lose some of the crispness that makes this slab pie so fantastic.

FAQs

Can I use a store-bought pie crust instead of making my own for this Delicious Apple Slab Pie Recipe?

Absolutely! Using store-bought crust is a great shortcut if you’re short on time. Just make sure it’s large enough to fit your sheet pan, and you might want to add a little extra egg wash for that golden finish. Keep in mind that homemade crust tends to be flakier and richer, which really elevates this recipe, but the filling and flavors will still shine.
What apples work best in this Delicious Apple Slab Pie Recipe?

Firm apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Lady hold their shape well during baking and provide a nice balance between tart and sweet. I usually mix a couple of types to get that perfect depth of flavor and texture—just avoid super soft or mealy varieties as they’ll turn mushy.
Can I make this Delicious Apple Slab Pie Recipe in a different size pan?

Yes! The recipe is quite forgiving. If your pan is a bit smaller or bigger than 10×15 inches, don’t worry. You might have some extra dough for a small tart or you may need to adjust the thickness of the crust and apples slightly, but overall it’ll still turn out wonderfully.
Why does the recipe recommend waiting to slice the pie?

Patience here really pays off! The filling needs time to set after baking. If you slice too soon, the juices are still hot and runny, making a mess on your plate. Allowing the pie to cool for at least 45 minutes firms up those juices so your slices hold together beautifully.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Delicious Apple Slab Pie Recipe is one of my all-time favorites because it’s perfect for feeding a crowd, feels like a warm hug in dessert form, and isn’t intimidating at all to make. Whether it’s a chilly fall day or a casual family dinner, this slab pie lights up the table and hearts. I hope you have as much fun making and eating it as I do—don’t forget to let that pie cool before slicing, and definitely save room for seconds!