Apple Slab

Saying that my husband is a huge fan of apple pie is an understatement. I kind of get intimidated at the thought of making a "real" pie in general...but making one for someone who has an obsession with apple pie is terrifying. "Easy as pie"...?? Really?! Not so much - for me, anyway. Then, I found this recipe from King Arthur Flour and found it was an easier version of a family favorite. I took it a step further and made it even easier.

Apple Slab

5 Large or 6-7 Medium Granny Smith Apples

2/3 cup Cinnamon Sugar {2/3 cup Sugar + 1 teaspoon Cinnamon}

Pie Crust {I used a Betty Crocker mix for my pie crust and it worked great!}

If you want to be all domestic and bake a crust from scratch, here is a great recipe:

3/4 cup Butter

2 cups Flour

Dash of Salt

4 Tablespoons Ice Water

1. Cut the butter into 8-12 pieces and place in bowl.
2. Add the flour and salt and use a pastry blender to mix the butter with the flour until it’s the size of small peas. {If you don’t have a pastry blender, you can use two forks or your fingers.}
3.  Using your fingers, mix in the ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time.
4. Mix just until it holds together, only a few seconds.

Now that you'd made some dough {no matter how you do it}, here is how you make Apple Slab:

1. Peel apples and cut into slices, making sure to keep them all a uniform size & thickness. This will help them to cook evenly.
2. Split your dough 60/40. Sprinkle a little flour on a cool, dry surface and place the larger section of dough on it. Rub a little flour onto the rolling pin so it won’t stick and roll the dough into a 11x15" rectangle {or close to it}. If the dough sticks, sprinkle on a little more flour. The dough should be about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick.
3. Carefully fold dough in fourths and unfold in the pan, lightly pressing into the corners and up the sides. If you tear the dough, don't worry, you can press it back together or patch with another piece of dough. It's getting covered up with deliciousness, so it's okay for it not to be beautiful.
4. Sprinkle some breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes on the dough to help absorb some of the apple juice when cooking.
5. Place apples in the pan, trying to keep it even. They don't have to be perfect.
6. Sprinkle the 2/3 cup cinnamon sugar over the apples. You could also mix the apples and cinnamon sugar mixture before, then dump it all in at once. Either way works fine.
7. Roll out the other half of the dough and place on top of the apples. If dough is too sticky, place in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes.
8. Seal the edges together and cut some slits in the top for the steam to escape.
9. Brush top with melted butter and sprinkle with a little more sugar.
10. Bake at 350º for an hour or until golden brown.

Now to top this beauty with even MORE goodness!

Cinnamon Sugar Icing

1 cup Confectioner's Sugar

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

1-2 Tablespoons Milk

1/4-1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon

1. Mix sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Add in vanilla, and milk and mix well. Should be an icing consistency, so if it's too thick, add a little more milk. Too thin, add a little more sugar.
2. Drizzle icing over apple slab until it's covered.
3. Enjoy!

Here's another look for you to drool over...

Linking to these parties!