brown sugar slab pie

make this brown sugar slab pie for Pi Day – or any day!

I’m obsessed with this brown sugar slab pie – what does it remind you of?

brown sugar slab pie on a white ceramic plate with vintage fork

I’m not much for pie – making or eating!

Longtime readers know that this is not the blog to turn to for traditional pies. I hate making and rolling out dough, and have never been a fan of traditional options like apple or pecan pie. When faced with an array of desserts, pie will almost always be the last thing I go for.

brown sugar slab pie on a vintage cooling rack

I can’t resist Pi Day!

Though not a real holiday, I’ll admit loving the challenge of coming up with my version of pie on 3/14 – also know as “Pi Day“. So over the years I’ve shared recipes for hand pies, ruffled pies, whoopie pies and moon pies. I’ve made apple pie muddy buddies, pie “fries”, Sprite pie and even pie crust cookies.

have you ever tried a slab pie?

Slab pie is an unfortunate name for your new favorite way to eat pie – particularly if you are “team crust” (raises hand). If you’ve never heard of it, slab pie is simply pie baked in a sheet pan, and cut into rectangles. It’s neater and easier to serve, and the ratio of flaky crust to filling is higher than traditional pie. I had always wanted to try it and Pi Day was the perfect opportunity!

brown sugar slab pie on a cooling rack

can you guess the inspiration for this brown sugar slab pie?

Longtime readers also know that I’m not much for fruit – and so I was thinking of alternatives to the typical fillings for my slab pie. Growing up, Pop Tarts were one of my absolute favorite snacks, with brown sugar cinnamon (frosted, of COURSE) being my #1.

brown sugar slab pie on a vintage cooling rack

You guys – you simply MUST MAKE THIS giant Pop Tart brown sugar slab pie!

what ingredients do you need?

This brown sugar pie has a ridiculously easy ingredient list – here’s what you need:

unsalted butter
refrigerated pie crusts
dark brown sugar
ground cinnamon
flour
confectioner’s sugar
milk
light corn syrup
vanilla extract

how do you make it?

These pie bars couldn’t be easier to make. Start by unrolling 2 of the pie crusts onto a piece of parchment paper that is the size of a baking sheet (about 12 x 17 inches), overlapping them so that they are the total length of the parchment paper.

two round pie crusts on a sheet of parchment paper

Use a rolling pin to roll them into one smooth crust that is also the width of your baking sheet. You can take any excess dough to patch in where needed.

Trim the dough into a neat rectangle and roll the dough, still on the parchment paper, onto your rolling pin. Unroll onto your baking sheet (watch the video, below, to see this in action!).

pie crust rolled onto a rolling pin

To make the brown sugar filling, mix melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and flour in a small bowl. The flour may seem like an odd ingredient but it stiffens the filling and gives it that same texture as a classic Pop Tart filling!

brown sugar filling in a glass bowl

Pour the filling onto your crust and spread it out evenly, leaving a one-inch border on all four sides.

brown sugar filling on a rectangular crust set into a sheet pan

Make the top crust just like you did the bottom crust except this time you’ll place it onto the filling parchment side up. Remove and discard the parchment paper and use your fingers to seal the edges. Crimp the edges with a fork and poke holes all over the center with a toothpick.

Brush softened butter all over the top of the pie and bake till golden brown. Cool completely in the pan.

brown sugar slab pie in a sheet pan

brown sugar slab pie in a sheet pan

While the pie is cooling, make the glaze by whisking confectioner’s sugar, milk, corn syrup, vanilla and cinnamon. And yes I know that corn syrup is the devil’s work BUT it is also the key to a glaze that is shiny and hard (you can see it in action in my black and white cookies and lavender lemon shortbread bars). Feel free to omit it if you prefer – the glaze will be just as delicious, just a little softer.

brown sugar glaze in a glass bowl with whisk

Pour the glaze over the center and spread evenly, leaving a small border of crust exposed (for that classic “PT” look!).

brown sugar slab pie on a cooling rack

Let the glaze harden and then cut into bars!

How fun would this be to serve for breakfast? This is a real crowd pleaser and something just a little different.

brown sugar slab pie on a white ceramic plate with vintage fork

Let me know if you try it – what was your favorite Pop Tart?

brown sugar slab pie on a white ceramic plate

brown sugar slab pie on a vintage cooling rack

Brown Sugar Slab Pie

sherisilver
Slab pie > regular pie, and this brown sugar slab pie is the best of them all!
5 from 4 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Servings 12
Calories 435 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the pie:

  • 1/2 cup + 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 2 packages (4 crusts) refrigerated pie crusts
  • 2 cups dark brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons flour

For the glaze:

  • 2 cups confectioner's sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk, plus extra if needed
  • 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions
 

Prepare the pie crust:

  • Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees. Melt 1/2 cup of the butter and set aside. Have a sheet pan at the ready.
  • Unroll 2 of the pie crusts onto a piece of parchment paper that is the size of a sheet pan (about 12 x 17 inches), overlapping them so that they are the total length of the parchment paper. Use a rolling pin to roll them into one smooth crust that is also the width of your baking sheet. You can take any excess dough to patch in where needed.
  • Use a pizza cutter or small knife to trim the dough into a neat rectangle. Roll the dough and parchment paper onto your rolling pin and unroll, crust side up, onto your baking sheet.

Make the brown sugar filling:

  • Use a fork to mix the melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and flour in a small bowl. Pour onto your crust and use the fork to spread out evenly, leaving a one-inch border on all four sides. Smooth the filling and place the pan in the fridge while you prepare the top crust.
  • Make the top crust by rolling and trimming the remaining two pie crusts as you did the first two. Roll onto your rolling pin and gently unroll - with the parchment side up - onto your filled crust. Remove and discard the parchment paper.
  • Use your fingers to seal the edges of the pie, then go around the edges again with a fork to crimp. Poke holes all over the center of the pie with a toothpick.
  • Brush the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter all over the top of the pie and bake for 20 - 25 minutes, or till golden brown. Cool completely in the pan.

Make the glaze:

  • Whisk all of the ingredients in a small bowl till thick but pourable. Add more milk if needed, a little at a time.
  • Pour the glaze over the center of the cooled pie, and use a small angled spatula to spread evenly, leaving a small border around the edges. Let the glaze set before cutting into squares to serve.

Notes

You can store the slices covered, at room temperature, for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 435kcalCarbohydrates: 75gProtein: 2gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 131mgPotassium: 91mgFiber: 1gSugar: 58gVitamin A: 246IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 56mgIron: 1mg
Keywords brown sugar, hand pie, pi day, pie, pop tart, slab pie
did you make this recipe?tag @sherisilver on instagram!

brown sugar slab pie on a white ceramic plate with vintage fork

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Sheri Silver

About the author

Sheri Silver

Sheri Silver is a New York-based food photographer and recipe developer who has been cooking and baking for over 30 years. She works with brands, authors and restaurants to create recipes that are as beautiful as they are foolproof - and every recipe on this blog has been made, tweaked and eaten in her own kitchen.

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4 Comments

  1. Peggy on March 9, 2023 at 7:53 pm

    This looks incredibly delicious!
    You have invoked fond memories of my dad surprising me with strawberry Pop Tarts in the 1960s! Who could not love a recipe that reminds us of “one of life’s greatest “treasures”!

    • sherisilver on March 9, 2023 at 9:59 pm

      Thank you! I’m so glad this brought back happy memories – who couldn’t love a Pop Tart??!!

  2. Annie+Diamond on March 12, 2023 at 9:17 pm

    5 stars
    Brown sugar slab pie! Are you kidding me? This looks so delicious! I have a weakness for this kind of thing! If it was not 9:15 on Sunday night…I’d be in the kitchen making it!

    • sherisilver on March 13, 2023 at 2:32 pm

      Is it any wonder you and I are friends? 😉

5 from 4 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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Welcome to my little corner of the web where you’ll find easy, delicious recipes, the best kitchen hacks and simple tips for turning your home into a clean haven that is free of toxins. So glad you’re here!