Imagine the aroma of warm cinnamon and baked apples wafting through your kitchen, evoking memories of cozy afternoons.
Apple dumplings aren’t only a heartwarming treat but also surprisingly simple to create.
The magic begins as the dough envelops each apple, transforming in the oven to a golden, flaky delight, bathed in a luscious sauce.
Let’s bring this comforting, homemade dessert to life and indulge in its sweet simplicity.
Kitchen Tools Required
- 1 Baking dish
- 1 Rolling pin
- 1 Mixing bowl
- 1 Small saucepan
- 1 Knife
- 1 Peeler
- 1 Measuring cup
- 1 Pastry brush
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2/3 cup shortening
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 6 small apples
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cook & Prep Time
To efficiently manage your time while preparing and cooking Apple Dumplings, follow this timeline:
- Reading & Preparation (5 minutes)
- Read through the entire recipe and gather all the necessary equipment and ingredients.
- Dough Preparation (10 minutes)
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a mixing bowl, combine flour and salt.
- Cut in shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Stir in cold water, a tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together.
- Dough Rolling & Apple Prep (10 minutes)
- Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to a 12×18 inch rectangle.
- Peel and core the apples.
- Filling & Assembling Dumplings (10 minutes)
- Place an apple on each square of dough.
- Mix granulated sugar and cinnamon together.
- Fill each apple with a teaspoon of the sugar-cinnamon mix.
- Fold the corners of the dough over the apples and seal the edges.
- Place the dumplings in a baking dish.
- Sauce Preparation (5 minutes)
- In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter, and water.
- Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Pour sauce over dumplings in the baking dish.
- Baking (40 minutes)
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes or until the apples are tender.
- Resting & Serving (10 minutes)
- Allow dumplings to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Feel free to adjust the timeline as needed to suit your pace and kitchen setup.
Recipe Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a mixing bowl, combine flour and salt.
Cut in shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Stir in cold water, a tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together.
Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to a 12×18 inch rectangle.
Peel and core the apples.
Place an apple on each square of dough.
Mix granulated sugar and cinnamon together.
Fill each apple with a teaspoon of the sugar-cinnamon mix.
Fold the corners of the dough over the apples and seal the edges.
Place the dumplings in a baking dish.
In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter, and water.
Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
Pour sauce over dumplings in the baking dish.
Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes or until the apples are tender.
Allow dumplings to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Serving Tips
- Vanilla Ice Cream: A scoop of vanilla ice cream adds a creamy, cold contrast to the warm apple dumplings.
- Whipped Cream: A dollop of whipped cream complements the sweetness of the dumplings with a light, airy texture.
- Caramel Sauce: Drizzling caramel sauce over the dumplings enhances their rich, buttery flavor.
- Powdered Sugar: A light dusting of powdered sugar adds a touch of elegance and extra sweetness.
- Chopped Nuts: Sprinkling chopped pecans or walnuts provides a crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
Storage
To store apple dumplings, allow them to cool completely.
Then cover them tightly with plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container.
Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Freezing
To freeze apple dumplings, guarantee they’re completely cooled.
Wrap each dumpling individually in plastic wrap.
Then, place them in an airtight container or freezer bag.
Thaw before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat apple dumplings, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Cover them with foil, and bake for 15 minutes.
Alternatively, microwave for 1-2 minutes until warm.
Guarantee even heating.
Final Thoughts
Apple Dumplings are a delightful dessert that combines the comforting flavors of baked apples and a flaky pastry crust.
The aroma of cinnamon and sugar wafting through the kitchen as they bake is truly irresistible.
For the best results, it’s important to guarantee the dough is properly chilled before rolling it out.
This helps prevent it from becoming sticky and difficult to handle.
When selecting apples for your dumplings, opt for firm varieties such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.
These varieties offer a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness, enhancing the overall flavor profile of the dessert.
Once baked, the apple dumplings are best enjoyed warm.
Consider serving them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra touch of indulgence.
The combination of warm, tender apples, flaky pastry, and creamy toppings creates a truly satisfying dessert experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use a Different Type of Flour for the Dough?
You can substitute all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a healthier option, but use 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons instead. Add an extra tablespoon of water if needed to achieve the right dough consistency.
Are There Alternative Fillings for the Apples Besides Sugar and Cinnamon?
You can fill the apples with a mixture of 1/4 cup chopped nuts, 1/4 cup raisins, and 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg. Adjust sweetness by adding 1 tablespoon honey. Guarantee a snug fit to prevent filling leakage.
How Can I Make the Dough Gluten-Free?
To make the dough gluten-free, replace 2 cups all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Add 1 teaspoon xanthan gum for structure. Confirm shortening is gluten-free. Follow remaining dough preparation steps as usual. Serve delicious dumplings!
What Can I Substitute for Shortening in the Dough?
You can substitute shortening with an equal amount of unsalted butter for a richer flavor. Alternatively, use coconut oil or lard for a similar texture. Make certain they’re cold before incorporating into the flour for best results.
Can I Add Nuts or Raisins to the Dumpling Filling?
Yes, you can add nuts or raisins! Mix 1/4 cup chopped nuts or raisins with the sugar-cinnamon filling. Make certain they’re evenly distributed in each apple. This adds texture and a delightful flavor contrast to your dumplings.
Apple Dumplings Homemade
Equipment
- 1 Baking dish
- 1 Rolling Pin
- 1 Mixing bowl
- 1 Small saucepan
- 1 Knife
- 1 peeler
- 1 measuring cup
- 1 pastry brush
Ingredients
- 2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2/3 cup shortening
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 6 small apples
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a mixing bowl, combine flour and salt.
- Cut in shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Stir in cold water, a tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together.
- Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to a 12×18 inch rectangle.
- Peel and core the apples.
- Place an apple on each square of dough.
- Mix granulated sugar and cinnamon together.
- Fill each apple with a teaspoon of the sugar-cinnamon mix.
- Fold the corners of the dough over the apples and seal the edges.
- Place the dumplings in a baking dish.
- In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter, and water.
- Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Pour sauce over dumplings in the baking dish.
- Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes or until the apples are tender.
- Allow dumplings to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
