Welcome to Love With Recipes, where every dish tells a story of love and tradition 🍏🥧. Today, we are sharing a cherished family recipe passed down from my grandmother, Babcia, who would make this delightful dessert for us when we were little. The Apple Squares, or Babcia’s Apple Pie, is not only a sweet treat but also a nostalgic journey to simpler times. As this pie sits, its flavors meld beautifully, making it even more delicious the next day. So, let’s dive into the comforting warmth of Babcia’s kitchen and create this scrumptious dessert together.
Apple Squares (Babcia’s Apple Pie)
Description
My grandmother used to make this for us when we were little. It’s sweet and the flavor gets better as the pie sits.
Recipe Category
Pie
Keywords
- Dessert
- Apple
- Fruit
- Polish
- European
- Low Protein
- For Large Groups
- < 4 Hours
Nutrition Information (per serving)
- Calories: 194.6
- Fat: 8.3g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 39.8mg
- Sodium: 103.1mg
- Carbohydrate: 28.4g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Sugar: 14.7g
- Protein: 2.4g
Servings
32
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 1 1/4 cups butter
- 4 cups flour
- 1 cup icing sugar
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 eggs + 1 egg yolk
- 1 cup sour cream
For the Filling
- 6 cooking apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
- 3 cups sugar
- 3/4 cup icing sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
| Step | Time |
|---|---|
| Preheat oven | 5 minutes |
| Prepare filling | 10 minutes |
| Prepare dough | 20 minutes |
| Baking | 1 hour |
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Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) 🕒.
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Prepare the Filling: In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the sliced cooking apples, 3 cups of sugar, 3/4 cup of icing sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Set this aside to allow the flavors to meld 🍏🍂.
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Mix Dry Ingredients for Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine 4 cups of flour, 1 cup of icing sugar, and 4 teaspoons of baking powder. Stir well to ensure an even distribution of the baking powder throughout the flour mixture 🍚🧁.
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Cut in the Butter: Using a pastry cutter or two knives, cut 1 1/4 cups of cold butter into the dry mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. This step is crucial for achieving a tender, flaky crust 🧈🔪.
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Add Wet Ingredients: Add 2 eggs, 1 egg yolk, and 1 cup of sour cream to the flour-butter mixture. Using your hands or a sturdy spoon, knead the dough until it comes together into a smooth ball. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Be patient and gentle; overworking the dough can make it tough 🍳🥣.
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Divide and Roll Out Dough: Divide the dough into two equal portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion into a rectangle approximately 8 x 12 inches in size. This will fit perfectly into an 8×12 inch baking pan. Ensure the dough is even in thickness to ensure uniform baking 🍞📏.
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Prepare the Pan: Butter an 8×12 inch baking pan thoroughly to prevent sticking. Place one rolled-out rectangle of dough into the pan, pressing it gently to fit the bottom and up the sides slightly 🧈📐.
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First Bake: Bake this bottom crust in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, or until it is just beginning to set but not brown. This initial baking ensures the crust will not become soggy when the filling is added ⏳🔥.
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Add the Filling: Remove the pan from the oven and pour the prepared apple filling over the partially baked crust, spreading it out evenly 🍏🍥.
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Top with Second Crust: Carefully place the second rolled-out rectangle of dough over the apple filling. Press the edges gently to seal the top and bottom crusts together 🥧🤲.
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Second Bake: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 45 minutes, or until the top crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. The aroma of baked apples and cinnamon will fill your kitchen, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere 🍏🔥.
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Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool completely before attempting to remove the pie from the pan. This cooling period helps the pie set, making it easier to slice. Once cooled, sprinkle the top generously with icing sugar for a sweet finish ✨❄️.
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Enjoy: Cut into squares and serve. Babcia’s Apple Squares are perfect as a dessert for large gatherings or a sweet treat with a cup of tea or coffee ☕🍎.
This delightful recipe not only brings back fond memories but also offers a delicious way to enjoy the comforting flavors of apples and cinnamon. Enjoy making and sharing Babcia’s Apple Squares with your loved ones!
