Old Fashioned Apple Dumplings are a classic dessert where whole apples are wrapped in a flaky pastry, filled with cinnamon sugar, and baked in a sweet syrup. These individual dumplings are warm, buttery, and packed with comforting flavors like cinnamon, brown sugar, and apples. Serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate indulgence!
Old Fashioned Apple Dumplings
I absolutely love making old-fashioned apple dumplings because they remind me of fall and family gatherings. The aroma of apples, cinnamon, and buttery pastry fills the house as they bake, creating a cozy, nostalgic atmosphere. The apples become tender and juicy inside their pastry shell, and the syrup adds a sweet, caramel-like flavor. It’s an impressive yet simple dessert that looks stunning when served, but it’s actually easy to make with just a few ingredients.
Pair these apple dumplings with a warm mug of cider or alongside a decadent dessert like Luxurious Caramel Apple Cheesecake Recipe for a perfect autumn feast.
Why You’ll Love This Old Fashioned Apple Dumplings Recipe
- Nostalgic and Comforting: These apple dumplings are a true taste of home, filled with warm spices and sweet apples wrapped in flaky pastry.
- Perfect for Fall: This is the ultimate fall dessert, combining apples, cinnamon, and butter for a cozy treat.
- Impressive Yet Simple: Despite their stunning presentation, apple dumplings are easy to prepare and sure to wow your guests.
- Best Served Warm: Pair them with vanilla ice cream for the perfect contrast of warm dumpling and cold, creamy ice cream.
Main Ingredients for Old Fashioned Apple Dumplings
- Apples – Firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work best for baking, as they hold their shape and balance the sweetness of the filling.
- Pie Crust – You can use store-bought or homemade pie crust for wrapping the apples.
- Brown Sugar and Cinnamon – These form the sweet, spiced filling inside the apples.
- Butter – Adds richness to the filling and the syrup, giving the dumplings a buttery flavor.
- Vanilla – Enhances the sweetness and flavor of the syrup.
- Simple Syrup – A mixture of water, sugar, butter, and vanilla creates the syrup that the dumplings bake in.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Old Fashioned Apple Dumplings Recipe
Here’s how to make these cozy, sweet apple dumplings step by step:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Tip: Make sure your oven is fully preheated so the dumplings bake evenly and turn golden brown.
- Prepare the Apples: Peel and core 6 medium-sized apples, but leave them whole. If you don’t have an apple corer, you can use a small knife to carefully cut out the cores.
- Pro Tip: Granny Smith apples are a great choice for this recipe because their tartness balances the sweetness of the filling.
- Prepare the Filling: In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup of brown sugar with 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Fill the cavity of each apple with the cinnamon-sugar mixture, then add a small pat of butter (about 1/2 tablespoon) into the center of each apple.
- Tip: For an extra flavor boost, sprinkle a little nutmeg or cloves into the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Wrap the Apples in Pie Crust: Roll out your pie crust dough (either store-bought or homemade) and cut it into 6 squares, large enough to wrap around each apple. Place an apple in the center of each square and fold the dough around the apple, pinching the edges to seal.
- Pro Tip: If your dough feels too stiff, let it rest at room temperature for a few minutes to make it easier to handle.
- Place the Dumplings in the Baking Dish: Arrange the wrapped apples in your prepared baking dish, making sure they have enough space between them.
- Make the Syrup: In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of water, 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, 1/4 cup of butter, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved. Pour the syrup over the dumplings.
- Tip: The syrup helps to keep the dumplings moist as they bake and gives them a delicious, caramel-like coating.
- Bake the Dumplings: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the apples are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Pro Tip: If the tops of the dumplings are browning too quickly, you can loosely cover them with aluminum foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking.
- Serve: Let the dumplings cool slightly before serving. Spoon some of the syrup from the baking dish over the top of each dumpling, and serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
- Serving Idea: For an extra touch, drizzle with caramel sauce or sprinkle with chopped pecans.
Extra Tips and Variations
- Add a Crunch: You can add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the filling for a crunchy texture.
- Spice it Up: Try adding a pinch of allspice or cloves to the cinnamon-sugar mixture for a more complex flavor.
- How to Store: Leftover apple dumplings can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the oven to restore the crispness of the pastry.
- How to Freeze: You can freeze unbaked apple dumplings. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time.
Health Benefits of Old Fashioned Apple Dumplings
While apple dumplings are an indulgent dessert, they do offer some health benefits thanks to the apples. Apples are rich in fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants, which support overall health and digestion. To make this dessert a bit lighter, you can reduce the sugar or use whole wheat pastry dough.
- Rich in Fiber: Apples are a great source of dietary fiber, supporting digestive health.
- Vitamins and Antioxidants: Apples provide essential vitamins like vitamin C, and antioxidants that help reduce inflammation and support immune health.
- Customizable for Healthier Options: You can reduce the amount of sugar or use a lower-fat pie crust for a lighter version of this dessert.
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