Crispy Apple Slices Recipe

Simple Apple Slices Recipe: Fresh & Sweet Snack Magic

Baking golden, perfectly spiced apple slices emerges as a delightful autumn tradition that warms every kitchen.

Crisp, sweet apples become the star of this simple yet irresistible treat.

Seasonal spices dance with the natural sugars, creating a mouthwatering aroma that fills your home.

Each slice promises a tender, caramelized experience that connects you to cherished memories.

The recipe balances rustic charm with elegant simplicity, making it perfect for cozy afternoons or weekend gatherings.

Drizzled with a touch of honey or sprinkled with cinnamon, these apple slices offer a comforting embrace of flavor.

Dive into this delectable recipe and let the magic of baked apples transport you to a world of pure culinary bliss.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 280 kcal

Servings: 9

Apple Slices Ingredient List

For Base Ingredients:
  • Flour: Provides sturdy foundation for the pastry, choose unbleached all-purpose flour for best texture.
  • Baking Powder: Helps dough rise and become light, ensure it's fresh for maximum lift.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor, balances sweetness of the filling.
  • Lard: Creates flaky, tender crust, can substitute with cold butter for different flavor profile.
  • Water: Binds ingredients together, use cold water for optimal dough consistency.
For Filling Ingredients:
  • Apple Dessert Filling: Delivers sweet, tangy core of the dessert, select high-quality pre-made filling or prepare homemade version.
For Glaze Ingredients:
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, glossy topping, sift to remove lumps.
  • Butter: Adds richness and smooth consistency, use unsalted for better control of sweetness.
  • Vanilla: Provides depth of flavor, choose pure extract for best taste.
  • Milk: Adjusts glaze thickness, use whole milk for creamier result.
For Binding Ingredients:
  • Egg Yolks: Enriches dough, adds golden color and tender texture.
  • Lemon Juice: Provides subtle brightness, helps tenderize dough and prevent oxidation of apples.

Tools You’ll Need for Apple Slices

  • Large bowl: Essential for mixing dry ingredients and creating the dough.
  • Pastry cutter or fingertips: Perfect for cutting lard into flour mixture.
  • Measuring cup: Helps combine wet ingredients accurately.
  • Fork: Useful for blending the dough gently.
  • 9×13-inch jelly roll pan: Necessary for baking the apple slices.
  • Wire rack: Helps cool the baked dessert properly.
  • Offset spatula: Ideal for spreading glaze evenly.
  • Whisk: Helps create smooth glaze by mixing ingredients.

Instructions for Fresh & Apple Slices

  • Dough Preparation

Mix flour blend with butter until crumbly. Create a soft mixture using cold water, egg yolks, and lemon juice. Gently combine ingredients without overmixing.

  • Crust Foundation

Spread first dough layer into baking pan, pressing edges slightly upward. Ensure even coverage across entire surface.

  • Apple Filling

Distribute apple mixture smoothly across initial dough layer. Keep filling consistent and well-spread.

  • Top Crust Placement

Carefully cover apple layer with remaining dough. Seal edges by pinching and create small steam vents using knife.

  • Baking Process

Cook in preheated oven until golden brown. Allow pastry to develop rich color and crispy texture.

  • Finishing Touch

Drizzle smooth glaze over cooled dessert. Let sweet topping set before cutting into delightful squares.

Apple Slice Tips and Seasoning Ideas

  • Swap out lard for cold butter or vegetable shortening to create a flakier, more traditional pastry texture that melts in your mouth.
  • Try different apple varieties like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Braeburn to bring unique flavor profiles and varying levels of sweetness to your dessert.
  • Enhance the apple filling by adding ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or a pinch of cardamom to create a warm, aromatic twist that elevates the classic recipe.
  • Control the glaze consistency by adding milk or powdered sugar gradually, ensuring a smooth, drizzle-worthy topping that sets beautifully on the apple slices.
  • Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and store in the freezer for up to one month, allowing you to enjoy this delectable treat whenever a sweet craving strikes.

How to Serve Apple Slices Creatively

  • Dessert Plating Paradise: Arrange slices on elegant white plates with a light dusting of powdered sugar for a stunning presentation.
  • Scoop Companion: Top each slice with a generous scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, allowing it to slightly melt and create a creamy contrast.
  • Coffee Corner Delight: Pair with a hot cappuccino or strong espresso to complement the sweet apple filling and enhance the overall flavor profile.
  • Seasonal Garnish Magic: Sprinkle some toasted chopped pecans or cinnamon sticks alongside the slice for an extra textural and aromatic dimension.

Storage Options for Apple Slices

  • Refrigeration Wisdom: Store leftover apple slices in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 4 days, maintaining their delightful texture and flavor profile.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire dessert 24 hours in advance, covering it tightly with plastic wrap to keep the crust crisp and filling fresh before serving.
  • Freezing Friendly: Wrap individual apple slice portions in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results.
  • Room Temperature Tips: Allow the glazed apple slices to sit at kitchen temperature for no longer than 2 hours to prevent potential bacterial growth and maintain optimal taste quality.
Print
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Crispy Apple Slices Recipe

Crispy Apple Slices Recipe


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4.6 from 31 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 9 1x

Description

Homemade apple slices combine classic American dessert comfort with simple ingredients from grandmother’s kitchen. Warm cinnamon notes and buttery pastry create a nostalgic experience for family gatherings and sweet memories.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 32 oz (907 g) apple dessert filling/topping
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup (170 g) lard (preferably non-hydrogenated, unprocessed)
  • ½ cup (120 ml) water
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsps (30 ml) melted or softened butter
  • 2 tbsps (30 ml) whole milk (more as needed for thinning)
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt (Diamond kosher salt recommended)
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Warm the oven to 400°F, creating an optimal baking environment for the pastry.
  2. Combine Dry Ingredients: Sift flour, sugar, and salt together in a large mixing bowl, ensuring a smooth, uniform base.
  3. Incorporate Fat: Work lard into the flour mixture using fingertips or a pastry cutter until the texture resembles coarse, sandy crumbs.
  4. Prepare Liquid Mixture: Whisk water, egg yolks, and lemon juice in a separate container to create a binding liquid.
  5. Form Dough: Fold the liquid into the flour mixture with a fork until a cohesive dough forms, then divide into two equal portions.
  6. Prepare Pan Base: Press one dough half into a 9×13-inch jelly roll pan, extending slightly up the sides to create a sturdy foundation.
  7. Layer Filling: Spread apple filling evenly across the dough, ensuring a consistent fruity layer.
  8. Create Top Crust: Roll out the remaining dough to match the pan’s dimensions and carefully drape over the apple filling.
  9. Seal and Ventilate: Pinch and press edges to seal, patch any gaps, and score several strategic slits across the top crust to allow steam escape.
  10. Bake and Cool: Bake for 40 minutes, rotating midway for even browning. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  11. Prepare Glaze: Whisk powdered sugar, melted butter, vanilla, and milk until smooth, adjusting consistency as needed.
  12. Finish and Serve: Apply glaze generously with an offset spatula, allow to set, then slice into 2- or 3-inch squares.

Notes

  • Precision Matters: Sift dry ingredients thoroughly to eliminate lumps and ensure a smooth, consistent dough texture.
  • Pastry Technique: Work lard into flour using fingertips or a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse, sandy crumbs for the perfect flaky crust.
  • Steam Escape Strategy: Create strategic slits on the top crust to prevent moisture buildup and avoid a soggy bottom.
  • Glaze Consistency Control: Adjust glaze thickness by adding milk gradually, achieving a spreadable, glossy finish that sets beautifully.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 9
  • Calories: 280
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 180 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 50 mg
Sophie Martin

Sophie Martin

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

  • Nutrition and Healthy Eating
  • Creating Balanced Recipes
  • Meal Planning
  • Food Safety
  • Teaching About Nutrition

Education

Stellenbosch University, South Africa

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition
  • Focus: Studying how food affects health, learning about balanced diets, and understanding the nutritional needs of different people.

South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town

  • Program: Professional Culinary Arts Diploma
  • Focus: Practical cooking skills, focusing on healthy meal preparation and understanding various cooking methods.

Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.

Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.

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