Meet my Easy Apple Slice made from scratch. This simple recipe uses canned apples to make a layered dessert that looks amazing and tastes even better. All the flavours of apple pie, with half the fuss.
A simple Apple Slice that tastes like apple pie. Umm yes please!
I’m going to show you how to make a buttery coconut crust (from scratch), and a tart apple cinnamon filling. Finished with sour cream and a sprinkling of cinnamon sugar, this slice is then baked to perfection.
You can enjoy it warm straight from the oven as the perfect cosy dessert, or let it chill and slice it into bite-sized pieces for morning or afternoon tea.
Easy, tasty and perfect for feeding a crowd ❤️
why you will love this recipe
- It’s easy to make (no electric mixer needed)
- You only need a handful of pantry staples
- It uses canned apples for ease
- It tastes like a buttery, cinnamon apple pie
recipe testing
I wanted to call these Apple Pie Bars because that’s exactly what they taste like. But unlike pie, they’re super easy to make. And with a one-year-old at my feet, easy is what I’m all about right now.
Just like my favourite Apple Cake, this slice takes the magic of apples and cinnamon and makes something altogether delightful. Honestly, I’m smitten.
I use the same buttery crust from our popular Coconut Jam Slice. It’s soft, sweet and melts-in-your-mouth. Then we add a layer of canned apples. I tested this recipe with fresh apples, but found canned apples worked better.
You need to par-cook fresh apples to get the same result and it’s just too much fuss when canned apples work perfectly, every time. After all, we’re going for quick and easy today.
To bump up the flavour, we add a touch of cinnamon, nutmeg and fresh lemon zest to the apples. Hello apple pie filling! The final touch, is a hefty layer of sour cream (full fat only please) and a generous sprinkling of cinnamon sugar.
She’s perfection.
how to make it
This Apple Slice is quick and easy to make. You don’t even need an electric mixer. Let’s break it down into the three individual elements, starting with that buttery crust.
the coconut crust
This easy, soft, shortbread crust is made using just five ingredients. You will need:
- Plain or all purpose flour
- Icing sugar or powdered sugar
- Desiccated coconut
- Salt
- Unsalted butter
To make the crust, add flour, sugar, coconut and salt to a large mixing bowl. Melt butter and pour over dry ingredients. Stir until a crumbly dough forms. Place dough in prepared pan and use the back of a dessert spoon to press down to form one even layer. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
The apple filling
This apple filling uses canned apples to mimic the flavours and textures of real apple pie. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Canned apples
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Lemon zest
To prepare apple filling, add apples, cinnamon, nutmeg and fresh lemon zest to a large mixing bowl. Stir until apples are coated. Pour apples over crust and spread out into one even layer.
The sour cream layer
The final layer, but perhaps the most delicious is the sour cream topping. You will need:
- Sour cream
- Cinnamon
- Caster sugar or granulated sugar
Spread sour cream out into one even layer over the apples. Mix together cinnamon and sugar. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar over the top. Bake for 20-22 minutes.
how do I serve it?
Great question. You have two options for serving this Apple Slice and both are equally delicious, trust me.
- Dig in while it’s warm. Give everyone a fork and dive right in. It’ll be warm and gooey and taste like apple pie.
- Chill the slice. Then cut it into small squares to serve. A little more dignified.
frequently asked questions
This recipe has been designed for canned apples. We tested it with fresh apples and found canned apples worked better.
I haven’t tested this recipe with an alternative, because sour cream works so well. But if you don’t have access to sour cream, you could perhaps try a mix of thickened or heavy cream and creme fraiche.
Keep the slice in an airtight container in the fridge. But I recommend bringing it back to room temperature when serving.
more apple recipes we love
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Let’s Bake
Apple Slice
An easy Apple and Sour Cream Slice made from scratch.
Ingredients
Shortbread crust
- 140 grams (1 cup) plain flour or all purpose flour
- 65 grams (1/2 cup) icing sugar or powdered sugar
- 75 grams (3/4 cup) desiccated coconut
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 115 grams (1/2 cup or 1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
Apple filling
- 600 grams (2 and 1/2 cups) canned apple slices
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- Zest of 1/2 lemon, optional
Sour cream layer
- 240 ml (1 cup) full fat sour cream
- 1 tablespoon caster sugar or granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180 C (350 F) standard / 160 C (320 F) fan-forced. Grease and line an 8-inch square pan with baking or parchment paper, ensuring two sides overhang (this will make it easier to remove the slice later).
- Shortbread crust
In a large mixing bowl, add flour, sugar, coconut and salt. Stir together. Add melted butter and stir until combined. Mixture should resemble wet sand. - Place mixture into prepared baking pan. Press down using the back of a dessert spoon to form one even layer. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until crust is just golden on the edges. Remove from oven.
- Apple filling
In a large mixing bowl, add apples, cinnamon, nutmeg and lemon zest. Stir to combine. Pour apples over crust (it’s ok if the crust is still hot) and spread out to form one even layer. - Sour cream layer
Dollop spoonfuls of sour cream over apples. Spread out to form one even layer. Combine sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar all over the top. - Bake for 20-22 minutes or until slice no longer wobbles in the middle. Either enjoy warm straight from the pan OR let slice chill in the fridge for at least two hours. Then carefully slice into small squares to serve.
Notes
Coconut: If you don’t want to use coconut, you can add 35 grams (1/4 cup) extra plain flour to the crust instead.
Sour cream: I haven’t tested this recipe with an alternative, because sour cream works so well. But if you don’t have access to sour cream, you could perhaps try a mix of thickened or heavy cream and creme fraiche.
Storage: Keep leftover Apple Slice in the fridge.
Nutrition Information
Jody says
Will this crust hold up to a pastry cream? Also, would i need to cook it longer since it would need to be fully cooked before adding the pastry cream. How long? Thanks.
Jessica Holmes says
Yes it would! I’d check it around the 16 minute mark.
Sewuese says
I enjoyed this great and lovely recipe, great job
Jessica Holmes says
So glad you liked it!
Linda says
Hi, can you replace the coconut with something else please?
Jessica Holmes says
Hi Linda, yes you can use a little extra flour. See the recipe notes for more advice.
Josh says
This really did taste like apple pie! Amazing!
★★★★★
Jessica Holmes says
Yes! Love that!