Picture a warm, buttery aroma wafting through your kitchen as you prepare Cracker Barrel’s delightful apple dumplings.
There’s something about this comforting dessert that evokes nostalgia and warmth.
With just a few simple steps, you’ll create a cozy treat that feels both indulgent and inviting.
Watch as the apples transform, enveloped in a golden crust, and let the sweet cinnamon aroma fill the air.
Let’s bring this delicious dish to life!
Kitchen Tools Required
- 1 Baking pan
- 1 Medium saucepan
- 1 Spoon
- 1 Peeler
- 1 Knife
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Mixing bowl
- 1 Pastry brush
Ingredients
- 2 Apples, peeled and cored
- 1 Package refrigerated pie crusts (2 crusts)
- 1 Cup water
- 1 Cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 Cup brown sugar
- 1/4 Cup butter
- 1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 Teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 Teaspoon salt
Cook & Prep Time
To efficiently manage your time while preparing and cooking the Cracker Barrel Apple Dumpling Recipe, follow this timeline:
- Reading & Gathering Ingredients (10 minutes):
- Read through the entire recipe to familiarize yourself with the steps.
- Gather all the necessary ingredients and equipment listed.
- Prepping the Apples and Pie Crusts (10 minutes):
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Peel and core the apples.
- Roll out the refrigerated pie crusts and cut each into quadrants.
- Preparing the Filling (5 minutes):
- In a mixing bowl, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
- Stuff the center of each apple with the sugar mixture.
- Wrapping the Apples (5 minutes):
- Wrap each apple with the pie crust, pinching the dough to seal.
- Place the wrapped apples in a baking pan.
- Preparing the Sauce (5 minutes):
- In a saucepan, combine water, butter, and vanilla and bring to a boil.
- Pouring Sauce and Baking (35 minutes):
- Pour the boiling mixture evenly over the wrapped apples.
- Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes until the crust is golden brown.
- Resting and Serving (5 minutes):
- Remove from the oven and let the dumplings rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Feel free to adjust the timeline as needed to suit your pace and kitchen setup.
Recipe Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Roll out the pie crusts and cut each into quadrants.
Place an apple in the center of each pie crust quadrant.
In a mixing bowl, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
Stuff the center of each apple with the sugar mixture.
Wrap each apple with the pie crust, pinching the dough to seal.
Place the wrapped apples in a baking pan.
In a saucepan, combine water, butter, and vanilla and bring to a boil.
Pour the boiling mixture evenly over the wrapped apples.
Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes until the crust is golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let the dumplings rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Serving Tips
- Vanilla Ice Cream: Serve the apple dumplings warm with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream for a classic and indulgent dessert combination.
- Caramel Sauce: Drizzle warm caramel sauce over the dumplings for an added layer of sweetness and richness.
- Whipped Cream: Top the dumplings with a dollop of freshly whipped cream to balance the warm, spiced flavors with a light and airy texture.
- Chopped Nuts: Sprinkle some toasted pecans or walnuts on top for a crunchy contrast to the soft apple and flaky crust.
- Powdered Sugar: Dust the dumplings with powdered sugar for a simple and elegant presentation that adds a hint of extra sweetness.
Storage
Store leftover apple dumplings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes to preserve texture and flavor.
Freezing
To freeze Cracker Barrel Apple Dumplings, wrap each cooled dumpling individually in plastic wrap.
Place them in an airtight container.
Store them in the freezer for up to three months.
Reheating
To reheat Cracker Barrel Apple Dumplings, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Heat for 10-15 minutes. This retains the crispness of the crust and guarantees even warming.
Final Thoughts
Cracker Barrel Apple Dumplings are a delightful dessert that captures the essence of home-cooked comfort food.
This recipe is simple yet delicious, perfect for a cozy evening or a special occasion.
With the combination of sweet apples, a buttery crust, and warm spices, these dumplings are sure to be a hit with family and friends.
Follow the steps carefully for the best results, and don’t forget to serve them with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra indulgent touch.
Enjoy the warm, comforting flavors of this classic dessert.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Puff Pastry Instead of Pie Crust?
You can substitute puff pastry for pie crust. Make certain it’s rolled out to desired thickness and seals tightly around the apples. Puff pastry will create a flakier texture, so bake until golden and enjoy the crispy layers.
What’s the Best Type of Apple for This Recipe?
You should choose Granny Smith apples for this recipe. They hold up well during baking and provide a tart contrast to the sweetness of the filling. Make certain they’re peeled and cored properly for the best texture and flavor.
How Do I Prevent the Apples From Browning Before Baking?
To prevent browning, immediately coat the peeled apples in lemon juice. Use a small bowl to toss them gently, ensuring even coverage. The acidity acts as a barrier, keeping your apples fresh and vibrant until baking.
Can These Dumplings Be Made Gluten-Free?
Yes, you can make them gluten-free. Substitute regular pie crusts with a gluten-free version. Verify your other ingredients, like vanilla extract and cinnamon, are certified gluten-free. Follow the original recipe for best results.
Is There a Way to Reduce the Sugar Content?
You can reduce the sugar content by using half the amount of granulated and brown sugar. Substitute with natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup. Adjust the amount based on sweetness preference while maintaining the recipe’s balance.
Cracker Barrel Apple Dumpling Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Baking pan
- 1 Medium saucepan
- 1 Spoon
- 1 peeler
- 1 Knife
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Mixing bowl
- 1 pastry brush
Ingredients
- 2 apples peeled and cored
- 1 package refrigerated pie crusts 2 crusts
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Roll out the pie crusts and cut each into quadrants.
- Place an apple in the center of each pie crust quadrant.
- In a mixing bowl, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
- Stuff the center of each apple with the sugar mixture.
- Wrap each apple with the pie crust, pinching the dough to seal.
- Place the wrapped apples in a baking pan.
- In a saucepan, combine water, butter, and vanilla and bring to a boil.
- Pour the boiling mixture evenly over the wrapped apples.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes until the crust is golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let the dumplings rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
