Heavenly Crumb-Topped Apple Slab Pie Recipe for Fall

Sweet autumn aromas waft through the kitchen when baking this classic crumb-topped apple slab pie recipe that captures the essence of seasonal comfort.

Golden, buttery pastry stretches across a generous baking sheet, promising delectable bites for everyone.

Crisp apples mingle with warm spices, creating a dessert that speaks directly to cozy gatherings.

Crunchy streusel crumbs crown the pie, adding irresistible texture and rich flavor to every slice.

The generous sheet pan format means more servings and less fuss compared to traditional round pies.

Generous layers of tender apples nestle beneath a blanket of cinnamon-kissed crumbs that crisp beautifully in the oven.

This pie delivers pure, rustic charm that will have you reaching for seconds before the first slice is finished.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 13

Crumb-Topped Apple Slab Pie Ingredients

• Refrigerated Pie Crusts: Convenient base that ensures a flaky, tender foundation for your slab pie, saving time without compromising homemade taste.

• Apples, Lemon Juice: Select firm, tart varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that hold shape during baking and provide bright, tangy contrast.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Create complex sweetness and help caramelize the apples for deep, rich flavor.
• Flour: Thickens the apple juices, preventing a soggy pie bottom.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Warm spices that elevate the apple's natural sweetness with cozy, aromatic notes.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.

• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Add sweetness and help create crispy, golden-brown topping.
• Rolled Oats: Provide delightful texture and nutty undertone to the crumble.
• Flour: Helps bind the topping ingredients together.
• Chilled Butter: Creates flaky, tender crumb with rich, luxurious mouthfeel.
• Salt: Cuts through sweetness and rounds out flavor.

• Powdered Sugar, Half and Half: Creates silky, smooth drizzle that adds elegant finish and extra touch of sweetness.

Tools for Making a Crumb-Topped Apple Slab Pie

• Jelly roll pan (15x10x1 inch): Essential for creating a large, rectangular slab pie.
• Mixing bowl: Perfect for combining topping ingredients and mixing apple filling.
• Pastry cutter: Helps cut cold butter into the crumb topping mixture.
• Small bowl: Used for whisking sugar mixture and coating apple slices.
• Whisk: Great for blending dry ingredients and creating the optional glaze.
• Rolling pin: Needed to roll out and shape pie crust.
• Sharp knife: Useful for slicing apples evenly.
• Toothpick: Helps check apple tenderness during baking.
• Foil: Used for tenting the pie to prevent over-browning.

How to Bake a Rustic Apple Slab Pie

• Pastry Foundation

Stretch the pie crust into a spacious rectangular shape covering the entire baking sheet, ensuring smooth edges and gentle pressing.

• Apple Preparation

Slice crisp apples into thin, uniform pieces and toss with a sweet-tangy sugar mixture that will create delicious caramelization during baking.

• Crumbly Topping Creation

Mix dry ingredients like oats, sugars, and flour, then incorporate cold butter pieces to form a delectable, textured sprinkle that will crown the pie.

• Pie Assembly

Layer apple slices evenly across the stretched crust, then generously scatter the crumbly topping for a delightful, rustic appearance.

• Baking Magic

Slide the pie into a hot oven, allowing golden edges and tender apples to develop while occasionally protecting from over-browning with a foil shield.

• Final Touch

After cooling, optionally drizzle a silky glaze across the surface, transforming the slab pie into an irresistible dessert ready for serving.

Tips for Crispy Crumb Topping and Juicy Apple Filling

• Sprinkle chopped pecans or sliced almonds into the crumb mixture for extra crunch and nutty depth.
• Add ground cardamom or ginger to the filling for a warm, aromatic twist that complements the classic cinnamon flavor.
• Swap regular flour with gluten-free flour blend and use plant-based butter to make this pie suitable for different dietary needs.

Serving Apple Slab Pie with Ice Cream or Cream

• Dessert Companion Delights: Perfect pairings to elevate your apple slab pie experience.
• Vanilla Ice Cream Scoop: Creamy, cold vanilla ice cream melts beautifully over warm pie slices, creating a heavenly contrast of temperatures and textures.
• Coffee or Tea Pairing: Robust dark roast coffee or spiced chai tea complements the sweet, cinnamon-rich apple flavors, balancing the dessert's richness.
• Caramel Drizzle Option: Warm caramel sauce adds an extra layer of decadence, enhancing the pie's natural sweetness and providing a luxurious finishing touch.

How to Store Apple Slab Pie for Later

• Slice and Store Magic: Cut the slab pie into neat squares for easy refrigeration and grab-and-go snacking. These treats stay fresh for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container.
• Cooling Corner: Allow the pie to cool completely at room temperature before covering. This prevents condensation from making the crumb topping soggy and maintains that delightful crispy texture.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Wrap individual slices or the entire slab pie tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Frozen apple pie keeps its delicious quality for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results.
• Make-Ahead Brilliance: Prepare the pie crust and crumb topping one day ahead. Store the crust in the pan and topping in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Assemble and bake just before serving to ensure maximum freshness and that perfect just-baked taste.

Rustic Apple Slab Pie

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4.8 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Hearty German-style crumb-topped apple slab pie delivers classic Midwestern comfort straight from baking traditions. Generous layers of spiced apples nestle beneath buttery crumbs, promising sweet satisfaction that connects family and memory.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 lbs apples (peeled, cored, and thinly sliced, crisp)
• ⅓ cup (70 g) granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup (75 g) light brown sugar (packed)
• 1.5 tbsps lemon juice (fresh)
• 3 tbsps all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 (14.1 oz/400 g) box refrigerated pie crusts (or homemade pie crust dough)
• ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter (chilled, diced into small cubes)
• ⅓ cup (70 g) granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup (75 g) light brown sugar (packed)
• 1 cup (97 g) quick oats
• ½ cup (70 g) all-purpose flour
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 cup (115 g) powdered sugar
• 2 tbsps half and half (or more as needed)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Dust work surface with flour and heat oven to 425°F. Unroll and layer refrigerated pie crusts, stretching to create a 17 by 12-inch rectangular shape.
2. Crust Placement: Carefully transfer dough into a jelly roll pan, pressing to cover completely and folding edges underneath for a refined finish.
3. Crumb Topping: Combine granulated and brown sugars, oats, flour, and salt. Cut in chilled butter until mixture resembles coarse, uneven crumbs.
4. Apple Filling: Whisk sugars, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a mixing bowl. Slice apples, toss with lemon juice, and coat thoroughly with spice mixture.
5. Assembly: Spread apple mixture evenly across crust, ensuring uniform coverage. Sprinkle crumb topping generously over the entire surface.
6. Baking: Place in preheated oven for 33-38 minutes, covering with foil during final 10 minutes to prevent over-browning. Test apple tenderness with a toothpick.
7. Finishing: Remove from oven and cool naturally. Optional: Whisk powdered sugar with half and half to create a smooth glaze. Drizzle over cooled pie and slice into elegant squares for serving.

Notes

• Optimize Apple Selection: Choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best texture and balanced sweetness that holds up during baking.
• Prevent Apple Browning: Toss sliced apples with lemon juice immediately to maintain fresh color and prevent oxidation.
• Ensure Crisp Crust: Avoid overworking pie dough to maintain flakiness and prevent tough, dense texture.
• Master Crumb Topping Technique: Cut cold butter into dry ingredients using a pastry cutter or frozen grated butter for perfect, uneven crumb consistency.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 25g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 30mg