Go Back
–+ servings
Apple Slab Pie with Bourbon Sauce
Print Recipe
No ratings yet

Apple Slab Pie with Bourbon Sauce

This apple slab pie is a big, flaky, buttery pie baked in a sheet pan, filled with cinnamon apples and served with warm bourbon caramel sauce.
Prep Time45 minutes
Cook Time55 minutes
Chilling Time1 hour
Total Time2 hours 40 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12 servings

Ingredients

Slab pie crust (one double crust)

  • 3 3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour 469 g
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 3/4 lb cold unsalted butter 3 sticks / 340 g, cubed
  • 1/2 cup ice water 118 ml
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Apple filling

  • 5 lb Granny Smith apples peeled, cored and sliced about 1/4 inch thick
  • 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 1/2 stick
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch stirred into 3 tablespoons cold water
  • 3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons finely grated lemon zest
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Topping

  • 1 large egg beaten with a pinch of fine sea salt
  • Turbinado sugar for sprinkling

Bourbon sauce

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter 1 stick
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 3 tablespoons bourbon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

  • Make the crust. Whisk the flour, sugar and salt. Cut in the cold butter with a pastry blender. Mix the ice water and vinegar and add a little at a time, just until the dough holds together. Smear and fold briefly so streaks of butter remain. Divide into two disks, one slightly larger, wrap and chill at least 1 hour.
  • Line the pan. Roll the larger disk to about 19 by 14 inches and fit it into the jelly roll pan, letting the edges hang over. Chill while you make the filling.
  • Cook the filling. Melt the butter in a large, wide pot over medium heat. Stir in the cinnamon, nutmeg and salt, then add the apples and brown sugar and toss to coat. Cook, stirring, 4 to 6 minutes, until the apples just start to soften. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook 1 to 2 minutes, until the juices thicken and turn glossy. Remove from the heat, stir in the lemon zest and let cool completely, then spread evenly in the lined pan.
  • Top and seal. Roll the smaller disk to 15 by 10 inches and lay it over the filling. Fold the bottom overhang over the top crust and pinch to seal. Chill 15 minutes in the freezer or 30 minutes in the fridge.
  • Bake. Set a rack in the lower third of the oven and heat to 375°F, with a parchment-lined sheet on the rack below to catch drips. Cut vents in the top, brush with egg wash and sprinkle with turbinado sugar. Bake 40 to 55 minutes, until deep golden, the juices bubble through the vents and the apples are tender.
  • Cool. Cool completely on a rack before slicing.
  • Make the bourbon sauce. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat and whisk in the brown sugar until smooth. Whisk in the cream and simmer 3 to 4 minutes, until slightly thickened. Off the heat, carefully whisk in the bourbon, vanilla and salt; it will bubble up. Return to low heat for 1 minute.
  • Serve. Slice the pie and spoon the warm bourbon sauce over the top. The sauce thickens as it cools.

Notes

Refrigerate covered up to 3 days. The assembled pie can be frozen before baking; unbaked dough keeps up to 1 month frozen. The bourbon sauce keeps refrigerated up to 1 week.