Here’s a detailed, step-by-step recipe for Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Slices — the same rich, sweet, cinnamon-filled apple dessert that Chicago bakeries are famous for. 🍎🥧
🍎 Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Slices
These are thin, buttery, crispy-crust apple slices with a sweet apple filling and a cinnamon sugar topping. They’re like a cross between an apple pie and a cookie!
Ingredients
For the Dough
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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1 tsp baking powder
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1/2 tsp salt
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2/3 cup (1 1/3 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
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1/2 cup granulated sugar
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1 large egg
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2 tbsp milk (plus more if needed)
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1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Apple Filling
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3 cups apples, peeled and diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work great)
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1/4 cup granulated sugar
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1/4 cup brown sugar
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1 tbsp lemon juice
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1 tsp ground cinnamon
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1/4 tsp nutmeg
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2 tbsp cornstarch
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1 tbsp butter
For the Topping
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1/4 cup granulated sugar
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1 tsp ground cinnamon
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1 tbsp melted butter
✅ Step-by-Step Directions
Step 1: Make the Dough
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In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
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Add cold cubed butter and cut it into the flour using a pastry cutter or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
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In a small bowl, whisk together egg, milk, and vanilla.
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Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms. If it’s too dry, add 1 tbsp milk at a time until it holds together.
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Divide dough into 2 equal portions, shape into disks, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.
Step 2: Prepare the Apple Filling
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In a bowl, mix apples, lemon juice, sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch.
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In a skillet, melt 1 tbsp butter over medium heat.
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Add apple mixture and cook 5–7 minutes until apples soften and mixture thickens.
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Remove from heat and cool slightly.
Step 3: Roll Out the Dough
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Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
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Roll out one dough disk on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8 inch thick.
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Cut into rectangles (about 3×4 inches each).
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Repeat with second dough disk.
Step 4: Assemble the Apple Slices
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Place rectangles on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
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Spoon a thin layer of apple filling onto each rectangle, leaving a small border.
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Fold edges slightly to form a raised border (optional).
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Brush the edges with melted butter.
Step 5: Add Cinnamon Sugar Topping
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Mix sugar + cinnamon.
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Sprinkle over the apple filling and edges.
Step 6: Bake
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Bake for 18–22 minutes, until crust is golden and apples are bubbly.
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Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.
🍏 Tips for Perfect Apple Slices
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Use firm apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp) so they hold shape.
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Don’t overfill — keep filling thin for that bakery-style crispiness.
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For extra shine, brush with apricot jam after baking.