Apple Slab Pie with Chai Spices and Lemon Drizzle

I’m officially declaring November “Pie Month”. I have so many pies I want to share with you that I decided to pump them out this month in preparation for Thanksgiving. Get ready for the sweet flakiness my friends — it’s going to be so good! Let’s get a head start with this Apple Slab Pie with Chai Spices.

A few weeks ago, a friend and I took a day trip over to Bayfield, WI for their annual Apple Fest. It’s one of my favorite fall traditions — gorgeous leaves, mulled wine, Lake Superior beauty, and apple EVERYTHING. It’s the fall-iest thing. I love it so much, even in the rain (which is good, because most of the time it’s rainy). Just look at these luscious apples!

While I was there, I stocked up on apples for baking, obviously. Cortlands are my absolute favorite apple to bake with, especially for pie. They are crisp and a perfect blend of sweet and tart. If you can get your hands on some, you’ll be well on your way to the best apple pie of your life. They’re also great eating apples, so you can enjoy a snack while you bake. In the off-season, when Cortlands are hard to come by, I usually opt for Granny Smith. Really, any crisp, tart apple will do. That tartness is important, because it complements the sweetness of the sugar and makes for a much more complex flavor than a sweet apple would give.

Give it a Chai

While I love a simple apple pie — apples, sugar, and cinnamon — I opted for a Chai Spice mixture in place of the cinnamon this time around. I’m currently obsessed with Chai flavors (check out these Chai Snickerdoodles for another example), so I thought, why not add it to apple pie? (Also, you’re welcome for the pun).

The blend of ginger, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, cardamom, allspice, and a touch of black pepper really adds another dimension to this pie. If you’re worried about the black pepper being too strong — don’t. It blends so well into the other flavors that you don’t realize it’s there. It just adds another layer to the complexity of the pie. Also, the Chai Spice mix in this recipe makes more than you’ll need. The leftovers will be great in your other baking (like the Chai Snickerdoodles I mentioned before), or in your coffee, tea, oatmeal, etc. Just sprinkle it on everything!

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Also, can we talk about what a great thing slab pie is? It’s all of the best things in a pie — flaky crust and sweet fruity filling — but in a half sheet pan instead of a measly little pie pan. In other words, MORE PIE. And if you’re a crust fan like me, you get more of that crisp flaky goodness than in a traditional pie, with just the right amount of filling. If you haven’t tried a slab pie yet, my friends, it’s time. And if you’re not an apple fan, pears would be amazing in this recipe as well, or try my Plum Slab Pie. Whatever fruit you use, I know you’ll love slab pie.

Happy Holidays Indeed

With the holidays coming up and parties and family gatherings galore, a slab pie is a great way to feed a crowd. This recipe will make 24 good-sized pieces (more if you cut them small – like for your holiday cookie tray maybe?). Add a scoop of your favorite vanilla ice cream, and dessert is served! Be prepared for everyone to tell you what a domestic god/goddess you are.

Ok friends, I think this has been a good start to Pie Month. Stay tuned for more of my favorites. In the meantime, bake yourself a slab of pie. You deserve it.

Happy Baking!