Delectable Apple Slice Squares: A Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Perfection

Apple slice squares are a comforting and delightful treat, perfect for a cozy afternoon or a festive gathering. Their simple yet satisfying flavor, combined with a tender, buttery crust and sweet, spiced apple filling, makes them a crowd-pleaser. This recipe provides a detailed, step-by-step guide to creating these delectable squares, ensuring baking success even for novice bakers.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

* **Easy to Make:** This recipe is straightforward and doesn’t require any fancy equipment or complicated techniques.
* **Delicious Flavor:** The combination of cinnamon-spiced apples and a buttery crust is simply irresistible.
* **Perfect for Any Occasion:** These squares are great for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or a snack.
* **Freezer-Friendly:** You can easily freeze these squares for later enjoyment.
* **Customizable:** Feel free to add your own twist to the recipe, such as nuts, dried cranberries, or a streusel topping.

Ingredients You’ll Need

**For the Crust:**

* 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
* 1/2 cup granulated sugar
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 6-8 tablespoons ice water

**For the Apple Filling:**

* 6 medium apples (such as Honeycrisp, Gala, or Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
* 1/2 cup granulated sugar
* 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
* 2 tablespoons lemon juice
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice (optional)
* 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

**Optional Toppings:**

* Turbinado sugar (for sprinkling)
* Powdered sugar (for dusting)
* Caramel sauce (for drizzling)
* Whipped cream or ice cream (for serving)

Equipment You’ll Need

* 9×13 inch baking pan
* Mixing bowls
* Pastry blender or food processor
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Paring knife or apple peeler
* Rolling pin (optional)
* Plastic wrap

Step-by-Step Instructions

### Part 1: Making the Crust

1. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. This ensures even distribution of the ingredients.

2. **Cut in the Butter:** Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. The butter should be in small pieces, about the size of peas. If using a food processor, pulse the mixture until it reaches the same coarse crumb consistency. Be careful not to over-process, as this can result in a tough crust.

3. **Add Ice Water:** Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing lightly after each addition. Continue adding water until the dough just comes together and forms a ball. Be careful not to add too much water, as this can make the crust tough. The dough should be slightly shaggy but not sticky.

4. **Divide and Chill:** Divide the dough in half. Flatten each half into a disk, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours. This allows the gluten to relax and the butter to firm up, resulting in a tender and flaky crust. Chilling the dough is a crucial step and should not be skipped.

### Part 2: Preparing the Apple Filling

1. **Prepare the Apples:** While the dough is chilling, peel, core, and thinly slice the apples. Aim for slices that are about 1/4 inch thick. This ensures that they cook evenly.

2. **Combine Filling Ingredients:** In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced apples, sugar, flour, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice (if using). Toss gently to coat the apples evenly. The lemon juice helps to prevent the apples from browning and adds a touch of brightness to the filling. The flour helps to thicken the filling as it bakes.

### Part 3: Assembling and Baking the Squares

1. **Preheat Oven:** Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This temperature allows the crust to bake properly and the apples to become tender.

2. **Prepare Baking Pan:** Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray. You can also line the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides, for easy removal of the squares. This makes cleanup a breeze.

3. **Roll Out First Layer of Crust:** On a lightly floured surface, roll out one of the disks of dough into a rectangle slightly larger than the baking pan. Carefully transfer the dough to the prepared baking pan and press it into the bottom and up the sides of the pan. Trim off any excess dough.

4. **Add Apple Filling:** Pour the apple filling evenly over the crust in the pan. Spread the filling out to ensure it reaches all corners of the pan.

5. **Dot with Butter:** Dot the top of the apple filling with the small pieces of butter. This adds richness and flavor to the filling.

6. **Roll Out Second Layer of Crust:** Roll out the remaining disk of dough into a rectangle slightly larger than the baking pan. Carefully transfer the dough over the apple filling. Trim off any excess dough. You can crimp the edges of the top crust to seal it to the bottom crust, or simply press them together.

7. **Cut Slits in Top Crust:** Cut several slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape during baking. This helps to prevent the crust from becoming soggy.

8. **Optional Topping:** Sprinkle the top crust with turbinado sugar for a crunchy and sweet finish. This is an optional step, but it adds a nice texture and flavor.

9. **Bake:** Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the apples are tender. If the crust starts to brown too quickly, you can tent the pan with aluminum foil for the last 15-20 minutes of baking.

10. **Cool and Cut:** Let the squares cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. This allows the filling to set and makes it easier to cut clean slices. If you lined the pan with parchment paper, you can lift the squares out of the pan using the overhang.

### Part 4: Serving and Storing

1. **Serving Suggestions:** Serve the apple slice squares warm or at room temperature. Dust with powdered sugar, drizzle with caramel sauce, or top with whipped cream or ice cream for an extra special treat.

2. **Storing:** Store leftover apple slice squares in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

3. **Freezing:** To freeze, cut the cooled squares into individual portions and wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped squares in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.

Tips for Success

* **Use Cold Butter:** Cold butter is essential for creating a flaky crust. Make sure the butter is very cold before you start, and work quickly to keep it from melting.
* **Don’t Overmix the Dough:** Overmixing the dough will develop the gluten and result in a tough crust. Mix the dough just until it comes together, and avoid kneading it.
* **Chill the Dough:** Chilling the dough allows the gluten to relax and the butter to firm up, resulting in a tender and flaky crust. Don’t skip this step!
* **Use a Variety of Apples:** Using a combination of sweet and tart apples will create a more complex and flavorful filling.
* **Don’t Overfill the Pan:** Overfilling the pan can cause the filling to spill over during baking. Use the amount of filling specified in the recipe.
* **Let the Squares Cool Completely:** Letting the squares cool completely before cutting them will allow the filling to set and make it easier to cut clean slices.
* **Adjust Sweetness to Taste:** You can adjust the amount of sugar in the filling to suit your personal preference. If you prefer a sweeter filling, add more sugar. If you prefer a less sweet filling, reduce the amount of sugar.
* **Add a Streusel Topping:** For an extra touch of sweetness and crunch, add a streusel topping to the squares before baking. To make a streusel topping, combine 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup packed brown sugar, 1/4 cup cold butter (cut into small pieces), and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Mix with a fork or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over the apple filling before baking.

## Variations

* **Caramel Apple Slice Squares:** Drizzle caramel sauce over the apple filling before baking for a decadent caramel apple flavor.
* **Cranberry Apple Slice Squares:** Add 1/2 cup of dried cranberries to the apple filling for a festive and flavorful twist.
* **Nutty Apple Slice Squares:** Add 1/2 cup of chopped nuts (such as walnuts or pecans) to the apple filling or sprinkle them over the top crust before baking for added crunch and flavor.
* **Gingerbread Apple Slice Squares:** Add 1 teaspoon of ground ginger to the apple filling for a warm and spicy gingerbread flavor.
* **Vegan Apple Slice Squares:** Use vegan butter and plant-based milk to make a vegan version of this recipe.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate, per serving)

* Calories: 350-450
* Fat: 15-25g
* Saturated Fat: 8-15g
* Cholesterol: 50-75mg
* Sodium: 150-250mg
* Carbohydrates: 50-60g
* Fiber: 3-5g
* Sugar: 25-35g
* Protein: 3-5g

*Note: Nutritional information can vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes.*

## Conclusion

These apple slice squares are a delightful and easy-to-make treat that is perfect for any occasion. With their tender, buttery crust and sweet, spiced apple filling, they are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake a batch of these delectable squares. Enjoy!