Apple Slices Recipe {Chicago Bakery Style Apple Squares} (2024)

FAQs

How do you prepare apple slices? ›

Whisk 2 tablespoons honey into 1 cup water and soak your apple slices in the mixture for 1–3 minutes. Drain and give them a quick rinse with fresh water (or skip the rinse if you don't mind the honey flavor). Bake those slices into an apple pancake and no one will be worrying about their color.

It's best if you slice apples about 1/4 – 1/2 inch thick. Any thicker, and they won't cook through by the time your crust does. Any thinner, and they'll dissolve and leave you with a soggy bottom crust.

To thinly slice an apple, remove the stem and cut in half from stem top to bottom. Then, take one half and cut slices as thinly as you can. A sharp knife is helpful for this job, and you can also cut the apple half in half again to have less fruit to work with.

As a natural preservative, salt can also keep your apples from turning brown too quickly. The layer of salt will help slow down the oxidation process considerably. Once you've cut your apple slices, spread them out on a plate. Sprinkle kosher salt over the exposed apply flesh.

If the recipe calls for 6 cups of sliced apples, you'll likely need about 8 medium-sized apples, or about 2 pounds of medium-sized apples.

If you're slicing apples in the morning to be eaten at lunch, this is the easiest method. No pre-soaking or rinsing required here — you can prep while you're half asleep. Simply slice the apples and store them submerged in tap water in a lidded container or sealed baggie at room temperature.

Just add a pinch of salt to a bowl of water; add your apple slices and let sit for about 5 minutes before draining. Since salt is a natural preservative, it'll protect the apple from oxidation. You can rinse the apples off with fresh water before eating, if desired.

Lemon Juice: Lemon juice is effective at preventing browning due to its acidic nature. Simply squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the apple slices or mix them in a bowl with a few tablespoons of lemon juice. This will provide a protective layer that slows down the oxidation process.

What do you soak apple slices in? ›

Here's the short version: The best way to prevent browning is to soak the cut fruit in a saltwater solution (half a teaspoon of kosher salt per cup of water) for 10 minutes, then drain and store until ready to use. The mild salt flavor can be rinsed off with tap water before serving.

Slice your apples into wedges that you and your guests can easily grab. You can also skewer the wedges to make dipping and handling easier.

Here's the short version: The best way to prevent browning is to soak the cut fruit in a saltwater solution (half a teaspoon of kosher salt per cup of water) for 10 minutes, then drain and store until ready to use.

Just soak cut apples in lemon-lime soda, like 7-Up or Sprite, for about 10 minutes. Drain them and they're ready to use. Since the flavor is neutral, the fruit needs no additional rinsing. Apples soaked in the lemon-lime soda will look good for a couple days.

Arrange apple slices in a single layer on dehydrator trays, ensuring there is space between pieces to allow airflow. Dehydrate at 135F/57C for 6-12 hours, until dry (see note 1).