🍰 Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Slices
Serves 8–10 | Prep: 20 min | Bake: 35–40 min | Total: ~60 min
🛒 Ingredients
For the Apple Layer:
6 cups (about 4–5 medium) peeled, cored & sliced apples
Best varieties: Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix for sweet-tart balance
½ cup (100g) brown sugar, packed
1 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg (optional but delicious)
1 tbsp lemon juice (prevents browning, brightens flavor)
1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Crumble Topping:
½ cup (1 stick / 113g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
½ cup (100g) brown sugar
¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
1 cup (90g) old-fashioned oats
¾ cup (95g) all-purpose flour
½ tsp cinnamon
Pinch of salt
🍯 Optional Finish: Drizzle with caramel sauce or serve with vanilla ice cream!
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Prep & Preheat
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Lightly grease a 9x9-inch or 8x12-inch baking dish (or pie plate).
2️⃣ Toss the Apples
In a large bowl, combine:
Apple slices
Brown sugar
Flour
Cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, vanilla
Toss gently until apples are evenly coated.
Spread into the prepared pan.
3️⃣ Make the Crumble Topping
In a bowl, mix:
Flour
Oats
Brown & granulated sugars
Cinnamon
Salt
Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter, fork, or fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4️⃣ Top & Bake
Sprinkle crumble mixture evenly over the apples.
Don’t press down — let it bake naturally for perfect texture.
5️⃣ Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake 35–40 minutes, until:
Topping is golden brown and crisp
Apples are tender when pierced with a knife
Juices are bubbling around the edges
🔥 Pro Tip: Place a baking sheet underneath to catch any drips!
6️⃣ Cool & Serve
Let cool 15–20 minutes — allows filling to thicken slightly.
Serve warm with:
A scoop of vanilla ice cream
A drizzle of caramel or honey
A dollop of whipped cream or Greek yogurt
🍽️ Serving Idea: Great for brunch, holiday dinners, or as a cozy weeknight treat.
🌈 Variations & Pro Hacks
🌰 Nutty Crunch: Fold ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts into the topping
🌾 Gluten-Free? Swap flour for GF 1:1 blend and use certified GF oats
🌱 Vegan Option: Use plant-based butter and coconut sugar
🧊 Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble unbaked, cover, refrigerate overnight. Bake as directed (+5 mins)
❄️ Freeze It! Cool completely, wrap tightly, freeze up to 3 months. Reheat at 350°F until warmed through
🍯 Maple Twist: Replace brown sugar with maple syrup in the apple layer (reduce lemon juice slightly)
🧠 Why This Tastes Like a Bakery Classic
The magic is in the contrast:
Soft, juicy apples below
Crispy, buttery crumble on top
Deep cinnamon-sugar warmth throughout
And because we skip the crust, every bite is loaded with fruit and flavor — no dry edges or soggy bottoms.
❤️ Final Thought: More Than a Dessert — It’s a Memory in Every Bite
These Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Slices aren’t trying to be fancy. They’re here to do one thing — bring comfort, joy, and the unmistakable scent of home-baked apples to your kitchen.
They’re the kind of dessert that makes someone close their eyes after the first bite and say, “Mmm… this tastes like childhood.”
So tie on your apron, peel those apples, and let the house fill with warmth and spice.
Because sometimes, happiness comes in a pan — golden, gooey, and shared with love. 💛