Best Brunch Slab Pie Recipes

SLAB APPLE PIE WITH LATTICE CRUST

Steps:

• Peel, core and cut the apples into 1/4-inch slices. Toss the slices in a bowl with the lemon juice and zest to keep them from browning. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Sprinkle this over the apples and toss until the fruit is evenly coated.
• Melt the butter in a large, heavy-bottomed pot. Add the apple mixture and saute for 5 minutes. Add the cream and vanilla and continue to cook the apples, stirring often, until the juices thicken and the apples are just tender, 5 to 10 minutes more (see Cook's Note). Set aside to cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• Roll out one-third of the tripled pie dough into a large (about 14-by-19-inch) rectangle. Wrap the dough loosely around the rolling pin and transfer it to a half-sheet pan, gently pressing it into the edges and corners of the pan. Prick the bottom of the dough all over with a fork, then refrigerate.
• Roll the remaining two batches of dough into one large, rough 1/4-inch-thick rectangle. Slice into lattice strips. (You can cut them all even thickness or alternate between thick and thin strips. I cut 1 1/4-inch strips and 1/2-inch strips.) Gather any dough scraps, wrap them in plastic wrap and refrigerate.
• Build the lattice on a sheet of parchment set on the back side of a half-sheet pan sprinkled with flour. Start by laying strips crosswise about 1/2 inch apart. Gently fold every other strip halfway over. Place a strip lengthwise on the parchment and fold the shorter strips back over. Fold up the opposite strips you just used and place another strip lengthwise; fold the short strips back over. Repeat on both sides until you have a basket weave pattern. Roll out any remaining dough scraps and use cookie cutters to cut leaf or flower shapes. Place the lattice and sheet pan in the freezer while the filling cools.
• Assembly: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spoon the cooled filling onto the bottom crust in an even layer. Slide the chilled lattice top onto the bottom crust, using the parchment to help. With a sharp knife, cut the lattice flush with the edges of the pan. Use egg wash to adhere any cut-outs to the top of the pie. Brush egg wash over the crust and sprinkle with sanding sugar.
• Bake until the filling is bubbling in the center and the top and bottom crusts are golden brown, 45 to 50 minutes.
• In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment, pulse together the flour, salt, sugar and butter until the mixture resembles cornmeal with some pea-size pieces of butter remaining.
• In a small bowl, stir together the ice water and the lemon juice. Slowly add the liquid to the flour mixture, pulsing, until the dough just comes together. Squeeze a small piece of dough between your thumb and index finger to make sure it holds its shape.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently turn it over each a few times so that any dry bits are incorporated. Form into a disk or rectangle, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.
• Adapted from "Pie It Forward: Pies, Tarts, Tortes, Galettes, and Other Pastries Reinvented" by Gesine Bullock-Prado © Stewart, Tabori & Chang 2012. Provided courtesy of Gesine Bullock-Prado. All rights reserved.

APPLE SLAB PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C.) In a large bowl, combine flour sugar, salt and baking powder. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Mix egg yolk and water together and mix into flour until it forms a ball. Roll out to fit the bottom of a 10x15 inch pan.
• In a large bowl, combine apples, lemon juice, 2 tablespoons flour, sugar and cinnamon. Pour filling into pie crust and dot with 2 tablespoons butter.
• In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 2/3 cup brown sugar and 2/3 cup butter. Cut in the butter until crumbly, then sprinkle over apples.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 60 minutes, or until topping is golden brown.

EASY THREE-BERRY CRUMBLE SLAB PIE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Lightly dust an 11x15-inch half-sheet pan with flour. Carefully place the 2 pie crusts into the bottom of the sheet pan, gently stretching and trimming the crusts to fit the bottom and up the sides of the pan.
• Combine berries, sugar, arrowroot powder, and salt in a large bowl; stir well.
• Combine oats, flour, brown sugar, apple pie spice, and salt in a medium bowl. Use a pastry knife to cut butter into the oat mixture until butter is evenly distributed throughout and the crumble topping mixture resembles small, uneven pieces.
• Pour berry mixture evenly onto the crust and add crumble mixture on top.
• Bake in the preheated oven until brown and bubbly, 45 to 55 minutes. Remove and allow to cool for 30 to 45 minutes