Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Old-Fashioned Apple Dumplings Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4 from 42 reviews
  • Author: Kimberly
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Total Time: 65 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

These Old-Fashioned Apple Dumplings are a classic dessert featuring tender apples wrapped in a flaky cinnamon-tinged pastry, baked to golden perfection. Sweetened with brown sugar and warming spices, they’re perfect served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a comforting treat.

Ingredients

Dough

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup cold water (more if needed)

Filling and Topping

  • 2 large apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled and cored
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon butter (for dotting on top)
  • 1 cup water (for baking)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×9-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
  2. Prepare Apples: Peel and core the apples, then cut each into halves or quarters, depending on their size, making them ready for the filling.
  3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, baking powder, and ground cinnamon to evenly distribute the leavening and spices throughout the dough.
  4. Incorporate Butter: Add the cold cubed butter to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut and blend the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles pea-sized crumbs, which creates a flaky texture.
  5. Add Water: Gradually add the cold water, a tablespoon at a time, mixing gently until the dough just comes together into a soft ball. Add more water if needed, but avoid overworking to maintain tenderness.
  6. Roll and Cut Dough: On a floured surface, roll the dough into a square or circle about 1/8-inch thick, then cut into 4 squares large enough to completely wrap around each apple piece.
  7. Fill Apples: Place one apple piece in the center of each dough square. Sprinkle the inside of each apple with brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg for a spiced and sweet filling.
  8. Wrap Dumplings: Fold the dough over the apple pieces and pinch the edges tightly to seal, ensuring the filling stays inside during baking.
  9. Prepare for Baking: Place the wrapped apple dumplings in the greased baking dish. Dot the tops with small pieces of butter and sprinkle with any remaining brown sugar and cinnamon for extra flavor and glaze.
  10. Add Water: Pour 1 cup of water around (not over) the dumplings in the baking dish, providing steam to keep the pastry moist while baking.
  11. Bake Dumplings: Bake for 40-45 minutes until the dumplings are golden brown, with crusty edges and tender cooked apples inside.
  12. Cool and Serve: Allow the dumplings to cool for a few minutes before serving warm. They pair beautifully with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream as an optional topping.

Notes

  • Use tart apples like Granny Smith or slightly sweet ones like Honeycrisp for the best balance of flavor.
  • Keeping the butter cold is crucial for a flaky pastry texture.
  • Do not pour water directly over the dumplings; pour it gently around them to avoid sogginess.
  • You can add a splash of vanilla extract or lemon juice to the apples for extra depth of flavor.
  • Serve warm for the best taste and texture experience, optionally with ice cream or whipped cream.

Find it online: https://slsrecipes.com/old-fashioned-apple-dumplings-recipe-2/