Crisp on the outside and packed with warm, spiced apples inside, this large-format dessert gives you all the comfort of a traditional pie with half the fuss. Baking it in a rectangular pan means you'll get the ideal ratio of flaky homemade crust to tart Granny Smith filling in every single square. It's a brilliant way to serve a larger group without rolling multiple rounds of dough. You'll love how the turbinado sugar adds a satisfying crunch to the golden top crust.
Prep
1 hr 15 min
Cook
2 hr 0 min
Total
3 hr 15 min
Servings
12
Course
Dessert
Ingredients
4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for surface
½ cup granulated sugar
2 tsp. kosher salt
¾ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
¾ cup cold water
3½ lb. Granny Smith apples (7 large apples), peeled and chopped (about 10½ cups)
1 cup granulated sugar
3 Tbsp. cornstarch
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
1½ tsp. apple pie spice
¼ tsp. kosher salt
2 Tbsp. cold unsalted butter, cubed
1 large egg yolk
3 Tbsp. turbinado sugar
Instructions
1Preheat the oven to 375°F. Combine the flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor, pulsing five to eight times to mix. Add the butter and pulse about ten times until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Keep the processor running and pour the cold water in a slow, steady stream until a dough forms. Cold water prevents the butter from melting, ensuring a flaky crust. Divide the dough in half, shape each piece into a square, and wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes until firm.
2Lightly flour a work surface and roll one of the dough squares into a 15 by 12-inch rectangle, keeping it about 1/8 inch thick. Transfer the rolled dough to a 13 by 9 by 1-inch baking pan. Press the dough gently into the corners and let the excess hang over the edges. Place the pan in the refrigerator uncovered while you make the filling.
3Mix the chopped apples, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, apple pie spice, and salt in a large bowl until the apples are well coated. Spread this apple mixture evenly over the chilled bottom crust. Scatter the cubed butter evenly across the top of the filling.
4Roll the second dough square on a lightly floured surface into another 15 by 12-inch rectangle, about 1/8 inch thick. Drape this dough over the apple filling. Fold the overhanging edges under and crimp them to seal the pie. Place the pan in the freezer for 10 minutes. Chilling the assembled pie helps the crust hold its shape in the hot oven. Cut about 24 two-inch diagonal slits across the top crust. Whisk the egg yolk with one tablespoon of water, brush this wash over the crust, and sprinkle evenly with turbinado sugar.
5Bake the pie in the preheated oven for 55 to 65 minutes, until the filling is bubbly and the crust turns golden brown. Loosely tent the pie with aluminum foil if the top begins to brown too quickly. Remove from the oven and transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool for one hour before slicing into squares.
Notes
Storage: Keep leftover pie covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Make ahead: You can prepare the pie dough up to 2 days in advance and keep it tightly wrapped in the refrigerator.
Serving: This pie is fantastic warm or at room temperature, especially with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream.