by Holly
Apple Dumplings, you can’t ask for a better dessert on a crisp fall day! This melt-in-your-mouth recipe combines tender pastry with apples baked in a deliciously spiced, buttery sauce.
Served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a slab of extra sharp cheddar cheese, homemade apple dumplings will give everyone warm fuzzy feelings.
What is an Apple Dumpling?
If you’ve never had apple pie dumplings, then you’re in for a special treat. Whole apples are peeled, topped with cinnamon sugar and wrapped in flaky pastry dough and then baked in a spiced sauce until bubbling and syrupy.
- Apples: Use Granny Smith apples for the best results. This firm tart variety is the reliable go-to apple (and the same apples I prefer to use in apple pie or dutch apple pie). They soften and mellow as they bake without getting mushy. Other great options are Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Jonagolds.
- Pastry Dough: If you’re rushed for time, go ahead and use premade pie dough. But for the best flavor, a flaky homemade pie crust is ideal.
TIP: You can create an elegant presentation by cutting leaf and stem shapes out of some of the pastry dough and gently pressing on top of each dumpling for a pretty decoration.
Cut leaves out with a knife or cookie cutter (I made my leaves using a “Christmas light bulb” cookie cutter).
How to Make Apple Dumplings
Prep your apples by coring them and peeling (the peels develop a chewy consistency as they bake). To make this dessert
- Fill each apple core the cinnamon butter mixture in the recipe below.
- Wrap in pie pastry and place in baking pan. Poke a couple of holes in the pastry to allow steam to escape.
- Pour spiced sauce over dumplings and bake until golden brown and bubbling.
Do not overbake or the dumplings may burst.
Serve warm with ice cream or dollops of crème fraiche.
How to Make Apple Pie Spice
Don’t have any apple pie spice in your cupboard? Not a problem, as long as you have cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice or cloves. Cardamom can also be used if you have it.
The following is just one suggested recipe, but go ahead and tailor to your taste or what you have on hand. Apple spice mix will keep in a tightly covered glass jar in your pantry for up to a year.
- 4 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice OR clove
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom
How to Store Them
Leftover or make-ahead apple dumplings can be stored in the fridge for 4-5 days. Tightly cover with cling wrap and store in plastic or glass.
Reheat in a preheated 350°F oven for 10 – 15 minutes in a foil-covered pan. The foil will prevent the pastry from burning. Apple dumplings can also be reheated in the microwave but the crust will be soft instead of crisp.
Apple Dumplings
Prep Time 20 minutes
Servings 6 apple dumplings
Ingredients
- 6 large Granny smith apples peeled and cored
- 1 recipe double pie crust
- ½ cup butter divided
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 egg beaten
Sauce
- 2 cups apple juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ teaspoon apple pie spice
- 2 tablespoons sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a 9x13 dish.
- Divide dough into 6 pieces. Roll each into a 7" circle (or large enough to wrap your apples).
- In a small bowl mix 6 tablespoons butter, brown sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Divide over each core.
- Wrap pastry around each apple using a little bit of beaten egg to seal at the top. Pinch the sides to seal and place in prepared pan.
- Combine juice, sugar, vanilla extract, apple pie spice and remaining butter. Bring to a boil and let simmer 3-4 minutes.
- Pour over dumplings and bake about 45 minutes or until apples are soft and pastry is golden.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition Information
(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)
Amazing Apples
- Apple Cobbler – completely from scratch!
- Apple Pie Bites – perfect fall bite
- Baked Apples – surprisingly simple to make
- Apple Cheesecake Pie – two favorites combined!
- The Best Apple Crumb Pie Ever! – light crumb topping!
