Homemade Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Squares Recipe: Buttery Bliss

Sweet memories of midwest bakeries come alive with these delectable Chicago-style bakery apple squares that melt in your mouth.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this classic dessert with simple ingredients and pure comfort.

Crisp apples and a buttery crust create a harmonious blend of flavors that dance across your palate.

Layers of tender fruit nestled between golden pastry promise a delightful treat for any occasion.

The aroma of cinnamon and freshly baked dough will draw everyone to the kitchen.

Each square tells a story of traditional baking passed down through loving hands.

You’ll want to savor every single bite of this irresistible midwestern delight.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 263 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients Needed to Bake Chicago-Style Apple Squares

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the foundational structure for a tender, flaky pastry that melts in your mouth.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness and helps create a golden-brown crust with delightful caramelization.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the dessert.
• Unsalted Butter: Creates those dreamy, melt-in-your-mouth layers with its rich, creamy texture.
• Ice Water: Helps bind the dough together without developing tough gluten, ensuring a delicate crust.

• Apple Pie Filling: Delivers a luscious, spiced apple experience with perfectly cooked, tender fruit chunks.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates a smooth, silky topping that adds a sweet finishing touch.
• Butter: Provides rich, creamy depth to the glaze.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces a warm, aromatic flavor that complements the apple filling.
• Milk: Helps achieve the perfect glaze consistency, making it spreadable and glossy.

What You’ll Need to Make Chicago Apple Squares Like a Bakery

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining dry ingredients and preparing dough.
• Cheese grater: Perfect for grating chilled butter directly into flour mixture.
• Pastry cutter: Alternative tool for blending butter into dry ingredients.
• Rolling pin: Crucial for rolling out dough into smooth, even rectangles.
• 9×13-inch jelly roll pan: Specific pan needed for baking the apple squares.
• Plastic wrap: Used to cover and refrigerate dough while resting.
• Wire rack: Helps cool the baked pastry evenly after removing from oven.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Necessary for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Knife: Useful for cutting vents in top crust and creating clean edges.

How to Bake Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Squares at Home

Buttery Apple Comfort Squares

• Dough Foundation Preparation

Mix dry ingredients in a spacious mixing bowl. Grate cold butter into delicate shreds, blending softly until crumbly. Splash in icy water, working mixture until it forms a cohesive texture without becoming overly sticky.

• Dough Resting Period

Tenderly shape dough on a flour-dusted surface. Divide into two equal portions. Gently flatten each section into rectangular shapes. Wrap carefully in plastic wrap and nestle in refrigerator for a relaxed 30-minute chill.

• Layering Magic

Unfold first dough rectangle into a generously sized baking pan. Spread apple filling across surface with smooth, even strokes. Drape second dough rectangle over filling, creating a cozy blanket. Lovingly pinch edges together and create delicate steam vents.

• Baking Transformation

Slide pan into preheated oven at 400°F. Bake until surface turns a golden, sun-kissed hue, approximately 40 minutes. Allow square to rest and cool on wire rack.

• Finishing Touch

Whip together powdered sugar, soft butter, vanilla, and milk into a silky glaze. Generously spread across cooled pastry, letting it set into a delightful sweet finish.

Apple Square Tips, Tricks & Simple Variations

• Butter Blending Brilliance: Use frozen butter for extra flaky pastry. Grate it while still rock-hard to create tiny, delicate butter pieces that melt perfectly into the dough, ensuring a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Apple Filling Freedom: Swap store-bought filling with fresh chopped apples mixed with cinnamon, brown sugar, and a splash of lemon juice. Granny Smith or Honeycrisp varieties work best, offering a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness.
• Crust Creativity: Experiment with the top crust by creating intricate lattice designs or cutting decorative shapes like leaves or stars. These artistic touches transform a simple dessert into a stunning centerpiece.
• Glaze Game Changer: For a flavor twist, add a pinch of ground cinnamon or orange zest to the glaze. Alternatively, drizzle melted caramel or sprinkle chopped nuts on top for extra crunch and depth of flavor.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the dough and filling a day in advance, storing them separately in the refrigerator. This strategy saves time and allows flavors to develop, making your baking process smoother and more enjoyable.

Serving Up Those Iconic Chicago-Style Apple Squares

• Sweet Morning Companion: Pair these warm apple squares with a steaming cup of freshly brewed coffee for a delightful breakfast treat that melts in your mouth.
• Weekend Brunch Star: Slice the squares into smaller portions and arrange on a beautiful platter alongside scrambled eggs and crispy bacon for an impressive weekend gathering.
• Cozy Dessert Delight: Serve slightly warmed with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, allowing the creamy glaze to mingle with the cold, smooth ice cream for a heavenly contrast.
• Afternoon Tea Perfection: Cut into elegant bite-sized pieces and serve on a decorative plate during afternoon tea, complementing light conversation and relaxed moments with friends.

Keep Chicago Apple Squares Fresh After Baking

• Smart Refrigeration Strategies: Store these apple squares in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days, maintaining optimal freshness and delectable taste.
• Freezing Magic: Wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. These delightful treats will stay delicious for 2-3 months when frozen properly.
• Room Temperature Timing: Keep squares at room temperature for 1-2 days maximum if serving soon, ensuring the glaze doesn't become too soft or runny.
• Reheating Wisdom: Warm chilled squares in a preheated 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore their crisp edges and revive the warm, comforting flavors. Avoid microwave heating to prevent soggy texture.

Homemade Chicago-Style Bakery Apple Squares Recipe

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4.7 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Homemade chicago-style bakery apple squares combine buttery pastry with sweet cinnamon-spiced apples for a classic Midwestern dessert. Generous layers of caramelized fruit nestled between flaky crusts promise comfort in each delightful bite you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ¼ cups (2 ½ sticks / 280 g) unsalted butter, chilled
• 4 cups apple pie filling (canned or homemade)
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• ½ cup (120 mL) ice water, plus more as needed
• 2 tbsps unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) whole milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Dough Preparation: Combine flour, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl, then grate chilled butter over dry ingredients, stirring gently to create a crumbly mixture.
2. Dough Consolidation: Add ice water gradually, kneading until the dough forms a cohesive mass, then divide into two equal rectangles and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
3. Crust Layering: Roll out one dough rectangle and carefully line a 9×13-inch baking pan, ensuring complete bottom coverage with the pastry.
4. Filling Distribution: Spread apple pie filling evenly across the bottom crust, maintaining a consistent layer from edge to edge.
5. Top Crust Formation: Roll out the second dough rectangle, drape over the filling, and seal edges by crimping and pinching, then create strategic ventilation slits across the surface.
6. Baking Process: Place the pan in a preheated 400°F oven and bake for 40 minutes, or until the pastry achieves a rich golden-brown color and crisp texture.
7. Finishing Touch: Allow the baked squares to cool completely on a wire rack, then prepare a smooth glaze by whisking powdered sugar, softened butter, vanilla extract, and milk until well combined.
8. Glaze Application: Once cooled, generously spread the glaze over the pastry surface, allowing it to set naturally before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Butter Chilling Technique: Freeze butter for 15-20 minutes before grating to achieve ultra-flaky pastry texture and easier handling.
• Dough Resting Importance: Refrigerating dough allows gluten to relax, preventing tough crust and ensuring tender, delicate pastry layers.
• Apple Filling Tip: Pat apple slices dry with paper towels to prevent excess moisture and maintain crisp bottom crust integrity.
• Glaze Consistency Trick: Add milk gradually to control thickness, ensuring smooth drizzle that sets perfectly without running off the pastry.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 263
• Sugar: 16 g
• Sodium: 162 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg