Homemade Apple Slices – A Cozy Fall Family Recipe
When the air turns crisp and my little fall loving heart gets that twang to go visit all the apple orchards and wear all the flannel, there’s nothing quite as comforting as a warm apple dessert fresh from the oven. Our family has been making apple slices for generations, and it’s one of those recipes that feels like fall heaven baked into every bite. I specifically remember sitting around my grandma’s kitchen table, talking about the first day of school and eating apple slices. Somehow, my memory of that situation is that school couldn’t be that bad if it was also apple slice season. With a tender, flaky crust, juicy cinnamon apples, and a sweet frosting drizzled on top, this dessert is perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, forgetting it’s back to school season, or simply enjoying on a cozy autumn evening.
Why Apple Slices Are a Must-Make Fall Dessert
Unlike traditional apple pie, apple slices are baked in a large cookie sheet, which makes them perfect for serving a crowd (or when you just want to sneak a bite and can’t commit to a full piece of pie, you know?). They cut neatly into bars, so you can enjoy them as a handheld treat or plated with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The combination of the flaky crust, spiced apples, and simple glaze is a timeless favorite.
Choosing the Best Apples for Fall Baking
The secret to great apple slices (and most apple desserts) lies in choosing the right apples. Not all apples bake the same—some become mushy, while others hold their shape beautifully. For this recipe, you’ll want apples that are firm, slightly tart, and full of flavor. Of course, no apple is as good as the apples that come right of the tree in your yard – who cares if those get mushy they are unequivocally the best. So if you’ve got your own apples to use up, skip this section because you’ve already got gold. But if you’re setting out for the orchard and want to not be overwhelmed by the rows of trees and varieties, keep reading.
Here are some of the best apples to use for baking in the fall:
- Granny Smith – Tart and firm, they balance out the sweetness of the filling.
- Honeycrisp – Sweet-tart with a crisp texture, they bake beautifully without losing shape.
- Jonathan or Jonagold – A classic Midwest favorite for pies and slices with a great apple flavor.
- Braeburn – Balanced flavor and holds up well in baking.
For the best results, use a combination of tart and sweet apples. This gives your apple slices depth of flavor without being overly sugary.
Tips for the Perfect Pie Crust
A good crust is the foundation of these apple slices. This recipe uses a homemade pastry dough made with shortening, which creates a tender, flaky texture. Here are a few tips to get it just right:
- Keep everything cold – Cold shortening and milk mixture make for a flakier crust.
- Don’t overwork the dough – Mix just until the flour is combined. Overworking makes it tough. Don’t sleep on a good pastry cutter either!
- Roll evenly – Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface, working from the center outwards to keep it even. Lightly floured being key – too much flour will also make it tough. Wondering how to know if it’s even? These rolling pin rings are also a life saver for me!
- Fit the pan snugly – Since this recipe uses a cookie sheet, make sure your dough fits neatly into the pan without being too thin in the corners.
Family Recipe for Apple Slices
Ingredients
Crust:
- 2 ½ cups flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup + 1 tablespoon shortening
- 1 egg yolk
- ⅔ cup milk
Filling:
- ⅔ cup crushed cornflakes
- 5 cups sliced apples
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
Frosting:
- 1 cup powdered sugar (mixed with milk until smooth)
Step by Step Instructions
- Make the crust – Mix flour, sugar, salt, and shortening until crumbly. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and milk. Combine and form into dough.
- Roll out half the dough – Roll to fit the bottom of a large cookie sheet pan.
- Layer the filling – Sprinkle with crushed cornflakes, then spread evenly with sliced apples. Mix sugar and cinnamon together and sprinkle over apples.
- Top with remaining dough – Roll out the second half of the dough and carefully place over the apples. Brush with whipped egg white for shine.
- Bake – Bake at 375°F for 40–45 minutes, until golden brown.
- Glaze – While still warm, drizzle with powdered sugar frosting. Let cool before slicing into bars.
A Tradition Worth Sharing
Apple slices are more than just a dessert in our family—they’re a tradition. Whether we’re serving them warm after church on Sunday or with a cup of coffee (maybe with some maple cold foam) when someone stops over during field work, they never last long. If you’re looking for a cozy, crowd pleasing treat that brings all the Midwest vibes to add to your fall baking lineup, this is it.
Apple Slices
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 2 ½ cups flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup + 1 tablespoon shortening
- 1 egg yolk
- 2/3 cup milk
For the Filling:
- ⅔ cup crushed cornflakes
- 5 cups sliced apples Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Jonathan work best
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar mixed with a splash of milk until smooth
Instructions
- Prepare the dough – Mix flour, sugar, salt, and shortening until crumbly. Stir in egg yolk and milk mixture to form dough.
- Roll bottom crust – Divide dough in half. Roll one half to fit a large cookie sheet pan.
- Layer filling – Sprinkle with crushed cornflakes. Spread sliced apples evenly on top. Mix sugar and cinnamon together and sprinkle over apples.
- Add top crust – Roll out remaining dough and place over apples. Brush with whipped egg white for a golden finish.
- Bake – Bake at 375°F for 40–45 minutes, until crust is golden brown.
- Glaze – While hot, drizzle with powdered sugar glaze. Cool before slicing into bars.
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