Easy Apple Pie Bars (Slab Pie Recipe)

Slab Apple Pie slices stacked on a plate.

4.85 from 13 votes

Easy Apple Pie Bars (Slab Pie Recipe)

Easy Apple Pie Bars (Slab Pie Recipe) is a traditional dessert from Transylvania, Romania, baked in a jelly roll pan, cut in squares, and dusted with powdered sugar. You will need a 9x13 pan.

Prep Time45

Cook Time50

Inactive Time30

Total Time2 5

Course: Pies

Cuisine: Romanian

Servings: servings

Calories: 180kcal

Author: Gabriela

Equipment

Ingredients

Pie Crust:

3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons lard/cold butter
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
a pinch of salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 large egg
2 tablespoons sour cream
Choose one option for the liquid:
1 tablespoon white vinegar + 5 tablespoons water
OR 1 tablespoon rum plus 5 tablespoons water
OR 6 tablespoons white wine

Apple filling:

2 pounds apples any type you like, coarsely grated(use a food processor if you have)
4-5 tablespoons granulated sugar
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons butter
Optional:
¼ cup raisins
¼ cup chopped walnuts
To finish: 2 tablespoons milk or 1 egg beaten
1-2 tablespoons of powdered sugar to sprinkle on top before serving

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Pie Crust:

In a bowl, combine flour, salt, sugar, and baking powder. Cut in lard/butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Incorporate the egg and the sour cream.
Add the liquid and incorporate. The recipe requires six tablespoons of liquid that can be: 1 tablespoon white vinegar + 5 tablespoons water, OR 1 tablespoon rum plus five tablespoons water, OR 1 tablespoon vinegar plus five tablespoon water. Use the combination of ingredients you have available.
Shape dough into a ball; chill for 30 minutes.
TIP: If you use a food processor, start the same, pulsing 1-2 times together flour, salt, sugar, and baking powder. Add lard/butter and pulse a few times until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Add the egg, sour cream, and liquid and pulse until a dough is formed. Shape it into a ball and chill for 30 minutes.

Apple Filling:

Meanwhile, grate the apples. You can peel them first, but it is not necessary if, the apples are organic and don't have the skin waxed.
In a large cooking pan, melt the butter and add the apples, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar. Mix and cook the apples for about 10 minutes until the juices are reduced. Set aside to cool.

Assemble The Pie:

Preheat oven to 350F/180C. Grease and flour the baking pan. Set aside.
On a floured surface, divide the dough into two parts.
Roll one piece of dough the size of the pan. Place it on the bottom of it.
Add the apple filling and spread evenly.
Roll the other half of the dough to the pan's size and cover the apples with it.
To finish, brush the surface of the pie with milk or an egg wash.
Use a fork to pinch the surface of the pie.
Bake at 350/180C for about 45-50 minutes or until the top crust is golden brown.
Remove from the oven, place the pan on a metal rack and let it cool for an hour.
The traditional Romanian way is to sprinkle powdered sugar on top. It is served cut in squares.

Nutrition