Here’s a detailed, unique article about Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Slices, including a step-by-step guide on how to make them:

Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Slices: A Beloved Midwestern Treat

There’s something undeniably comforting about Midwestern baking. The cozy aroma of baked apples, the tender flakiness of pastry, and the perfect balance of sweet and tart come together in one iconic treat: Chicago-style bakery apple slices. These delightful desserts are not quite pies and not quite turnovers—they’re thick, buttery slices filled with cinnamon-spiced apples and topped with a delicate crumb or glaze. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a sweet snack with coffee, these apple slices bring the nostalgia of Chicago bakeries right to your kitchen.

Ingredients

To make Chicago-style apple slices, you’ll need:

For the Dough:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• 2–3 tablespoons cold water

For the Apple Filling:

• 4–5 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (to thicken the filling slightly)

For the Topping (optional crumb or glaze):

• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• Optional: 1 cup powdered sugar + 2 tablespoons milk for a simple glaze

Step-by-Step Method

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

1. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt.
2. Add the cold cubed butter. Using a pastry cutter, fork, or your fingers, mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Beat the egg with cold water and gradually add it to the mixture, kneading lightly until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overwork the dough.
4. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling makes it easier to roll and ensures flakiness.

Step 2: Make the Apple Filling

1. In a medium bowl, toss the apple slices with sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, vanilla, and flour.
2. Make sure each slice is coated evenly. This mixture should be juicy but not overly wet.

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