Envision this: a plate of warm, golden-brown dumplings filled with luscious, sweet cherries that burst with flavor in every bite.
There’s something about the comforting aroma of toasted bread crumbs and melted butter that makes this dish irresistible and easy to prepare.
As the dough transforms into soft pillows enveloping the juicy cherries, it feels as if magic is happening in your kitchen.
Let’s bring this delightful Eastern European treat to life!
Kitchen Tools Required
- 1 large mixing bowl
- 1 rolling pin
- 1 pot
- 1 slotted spoon
- 1 plate
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 cup water
- 2 cups cherries pitted
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon butter melted
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar for garnish
Cook & Prep Time
To efficiently manage your time while preparing and cooking cherry dumplings, you can follow this timeline:
- Reading Time: 5 minutes
- Review the recipe to understand the steps and gather all necessary ingredients and equipment.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- 0-5 minutes: Combine flour and salt in a large mixing bowl.
- 5-10 minutes: Add the egg and water to the flour mixture and mix until a dough forms.
- 10-15 minutes: Knead the dough on a floured surface until smooth.
- 15-45 minutes: Cover the dough and let it rest for 30 minutes. During this time, you can prepare the cherries by pitting them if necessary and gathering other ingredients like sugar, butter, and bread crumbs.
- Rolling and Filling: 15 minutes
- 45-50 minutes: Roll out the dough to about 1/8 inch thick using a rolling pin.
- 50-55 minutes: Cut the dough into 3-inch squares.
- 55-60 minutes: Place cherries in the center of each square, sprinkle with sugar, and fold into triangles, sealing the edges.
- Cooking Time: 10 minutes
- 60-70 minutes: Bring a pot of water to a boil, gently drop in the dumplings, and cook until they float to the surface.
- Finishing Touches: 10 minutes
- 70-75 minutes: Use a slotted spoon to remove the dumplings and place them on a plate.
- 75-80 minutes: Melt the butter in a small pan and toast the bread crumbs until golden.
- 80-85 minutes: Drizzle the melted butter and toasted bread crumbs over the dumplings and sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.
Adjust the timing as needed based on your pace and any additional garnishes you might want to add.
Recipe Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt.
Add the egg and water to the flour and mix until a dough forms.
Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth.
Cover the dough and let it rest for 30 minutes.
Roll out the dough to about 1/8 inch thick using a rolling pin.
Cut the dough into 3-inch squares.
Place a few cherries in the center of each square and sprinkle with sugar.
Fold the squares into triangles and press the edges to seal.
Bring a pot of water to a boil and gently drop the dumplings in.
Cook the dumplings for about 10 minutes or until they float to the surface.
Use a slotted spoon to remove the dumplings and place them on a plate.
Melt the butter in a small pan and toast the bread crumbs until golden.
Drizzle the melted butter and toasted bread crumbs over the dumplings.
Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.
Serving Tips
- Vanilla Ice Cream: Serve the warm cherry dumplings with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful contrast of temperatures and flavors.
- Whipped Cream: Top the dumplings with a dollop of whipped cream to add a light and creamy texture.
- Fresh Mint Leaves: Garnish with fresh mint leaves for a pop of color and a revitalizing hint of flavor.
- Chocolate Sauce: Drizzle some chocolate sauce over the dumplings to complement the cherry filling with a rich, chocolaty taste.
- Crushed Nuts: Sprinkle crushed almonds or hazelnuts over the dumplings for an added crunch and nutty flavor.
Storage
Store cherry dumplings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Reheat gently before serving.
For longer storage, freeze uncooked dumplings and boil directly from frozen.
Freezing
To freeze cherry dumplings, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet.
Freeze until solid.
Then transfer to an airtight container.
Thaw before reheating to maintain texture.
Reheating
To reheat cherry dumplings, steam them gently or use a microwave with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
Avoid overcooking to prevent the dough from becoming tough.
Final Thoughts
Cherry dumplings are a delightful Eastern European dessert that combines the sweet and tart flavors of cherries with a tender dough.
The key to perfecting this dish is to guarantee the dough is well-kneaded and rested, which prevents it from breaking during cooking.
Additionally, sealing the edges tightly is essential to keep the cherry filling intact.
Adjust the sugar in the filling according to the sweetness of your cherries.
Enjoy these cherry dumplings warm for the best flavor. They’re a delicious treat that’s sure to impress your family and friends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Frozen Cherries Instead of Fresh Ones?
You can use frozen cherries. Thaw them completely and drain excess moisture. Adjust sugar if needed, as frozen cherries can be sweeter. Verify they’re pitted. Follow the recipe’s steps precisely for dough preparation and sealing.
What Can I Substitute for All-Purpose Flour in This Recipe?
You can substitute all-purpose flour with an equal amount of whole wheat flour for a denser texture. For a gluten-free option, use 1:1 gluten-free flour. Make certain to mix thoroughly and adjust water if needed.
How Can I Make These Dumplings Gluten-Free?
You can make these dumplings gluten-free by substituting 2 cups of all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Verify the blend includes xanthan gum. Knead and rest the dough as instructed for ideal texture.
Is There a Vegan Version of This Cherry Dumplings Recipe?
To make a vegan version, replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 2.5 tablespoons water), and use plant-based butter. Follow the original steps, ensuring dough consistency and sealing remain precise.
Can I Add Other Fruits to the Cherry Filling?
You can substitute or combine cherries with fruits like blueberries or apples. Adjust sugar based on fruit sweetness. Maintain the 3-inch square dough size, seal tightly, and follow the same cooking process for consistent results.
Cherry Dumplings
Equipment
- 1 large mixing bowl
- 1 Rolling Pin
- 1 pot
- 1 slotted spoon
- 1 plate
Ingredients
- 2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 cup water
- 2 cup cherries pitted
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon butter melted
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar for garnish
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt.
- Add the egg and water to the flour and mix until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth.
- Cover the dough and let it rest for 30 minutes.
- Roll out the dough to about 1/8 inch thick using a rolling pin.
- Cut the dough into 3-inch squares.
- Place a few cherries in the center of each square and sprinkle with sugar.
- Fold the squares into triangles and press the edges to seal.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil and gently drop the dumplings in.
- Cook the dumplings for about 10 minutes or until they float to the surface.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the dumplings and place them on a plate.
- Melt the butter in a small pan and toast the bread crumbs until golden.
- Drizzle the melted butter and toasted bread crumbs over the dumplings.
- Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
