Easy Holiday Baking: Apple Slab Pie

If you’re like many folks, the thought of baking a pie, especially during the holidays, can be a little intimidating, especially if you’re not a very experienced baker. Or maybe you love to bake, but don’t want all the fuss of making one from scratch.

Here’s a simple alternative; an apple slab pie. This recipe is a real time-saver, and it is oh-so-delicious. Tender apples, flaky crust, and the perfect hint of cinnamon, drizzled with a creamy vanilla glaze. A bonus: it makes your home smell perfect…just like the holidays should smell.

It’s exactly what you might picture: a big slab of pie crust with an apple filling, no top crust needed. Then,it’s baked to simple perfection. Easy as pie. (Sorry, I had to say it.) 😉

Here’s the recipe:

Mama Steph’s Apple Slab Pie

One box of premade pie crusts (or make your own from scratch, enough for a bottom and top crust for a regular pie)

8 cups apple slices (takes about 2.5 to 3 pounds of apples)

1 TBS ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground cloves

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

1 cup granulated sugar

1 1/2 TBS lemon juice

1/4 tsp salt

For drizzle:

1 cup powdered sugar

2 TBS milk

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Have ready a rectangular cookie sheet with a minimum one-half inch lip around all sides.

2. On a lightly floured surface, stack the two pie crusts, then roll out to appropriate size to fill your rectangular cookie sheet. (usually around 17″ x 11″; my favorite is a 14″x9″, as it bakes up thicker and moister)

3. Press pie crust dough into the bottom and up sides of sheet. Trim off any excess.

4. In a large bowl, drizzle lemon juice over apple slices, then sprinkle with the granulated sugar, spices and salt. Stir well to coat all slices.

5. Gently pour the apple slices into the crust, and spread evenly to cover entire crust.

6. Bake at 425 for 15 minutes, then turn, and bake for about 15 more, checking occasionally for browning. Various ovens will brown at different rates, so pull out when browned nicely.

7. Allow to cool on cooling rack.

For the drizzle:

In a small bowl, stir together powdered sugar, vanilla and milk, until smooth and shiny.

Drizzle over pie.

I hope that this recipe makes your holiday baking easier and more fun! The Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays can be stressful, so anything we can do to make it easier will make the whole season more enjoyable so you can focus on what really matters: The people you love.

What’s your favorite thing to bake during the holdays?