Old-Fashioned Apple Dumplings Recipe
Introduction
Old-Fashioned Apple Dumplings are a comforting and nostalgic dessert perfect for cooler evenings. Wrapped in flaky pie dough and filled with butter and spiced sugar, these baked apples soak in a sweet apple cider sauce for a delightful treat.
Ingredients
- 6 medium-sized baking apples, such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith
- Enough pie dough for a 9-inch double crust pie, homemade or store-bought
- For the filling:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided into 6 pieces
- 6 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice
- For the sauce:
- 1 cup natural apple juice or cider
- ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 13×9-inch baking dish and set it aside.
- Step 2: Peel and core the apples. To keep them from browning, place them in cold water mixed with a little lemon juice as you prepare the dough.
- Step 3: Roll out your pie dough into a large rectangle about 21×14 inches. Cut the dough into 6 squares, each about 7×7 inches. If using store-bought dough, simply unroll and cut into 6 equal pieces.
- Step 4: In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar and apple pie spice thoroughly.
- Step 5: Place one apple in the center of each dough square. Fill the core cavity of each apple with a piece of butter and a tablespoon of the sugar-spice mixture. Wrap the dough around each apple, carefully sealing the edges. Arrange the wrapped apples seam-side down in the prepared baking dish.
- Step 6: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the apple juice or cider, light brown sugar, and butter. Bring to a boil and stir until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and pour the sauce evenly over the dumplings. Sprinkle any remaining sugar-spice mixture on top.
- Step 7: Bake for 50-55 minutes, until the dumplings are golden and the apples feel tender when gently pressed. Allow them to cool slightly before serving warm, drizzled with the sauce from the pan.
Tips & Variations
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a nice balance with the sweet sauce, or sweeter varieties like Honeycrisp for a milder taste.
- For extra flavor, add a splash of vanilla or a pinch of cinnamon to the sauce mixture.
- Try serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a classic pairing.
Storage
Store leftover apple dumplings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven until warmed through. The sauce can be spooned over again when serving.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use pre-made pie dough?
Yes, store-bought pie dough works perfectly for this recipe and saves time. Just cut it into squares as directed.
How do I prevent the apples from browning before baking?
Keep the peeled and cored apples submerged in cold water with a little lemon juice until you are ready to wrap them in dough. This slows oxidation and keeps them looking fresh.
PrintOld-Fashioned Apple Dumplings Recipe
Old-Fashioned Apple Dumplings are a comforting classic dessert featuring tender apples wrapped in flaky pie dough, baked in a sweet apple cider sauce. This recipe uses baking apples filled with butter and a spiced sugar mixture, baked to golden perfection, and served warm with a luscious sauce made of apple juice, brown sugar, and butter.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Apples and Dough
- 6 medium-sized baking apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
- Enough pie dough for a 9-inch double crust pie (homemade or store-bought)
Filling
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided into 6 pieces
- 6 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice
Sauce
- 1 cup natural apple juice or cider
- ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 13×9-inch baking dish thoroughly and set aside to use later.
- Peel and Core Apples: Peel each apple and remove the core. To prevent browning while you work on the dough, submerge the peeled apples in cold water mixed with a little lemon juice.
- Prepare Dough Squares: Roll out homemade pie dough into a 21×14 inch rectangle and cut into six 7×7 inch squares. If using store-bought dough, unroll and cut into six equal squares.
- Mix Filling Sugar and Spice: In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar and apple pie spice until evenly mixed.
- Assemble Dumplings: Place one apple on each dough square. Fill the hollow core of each apple with one piece of butter and one tablespoon of the sugar-spice mix. Wrap the dough carefully around the apples, pinch and seal the edges to enclose the apple completely. Place the wrapped apples in the greased baking dish.
- Make Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine apple juice or cider, brown sugar, and butter. Heat until the mixture boils and the sugar is fully dissolved. Remove from heat.
- Pour Sauce and Add Topping: Pour the hot sauce evenly over the dough-wrapped apples in the baking dish. Sprinkle any leftover sugar-spice mixture over the top of the dumplings.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until the dumplings are golden brown and the apples are soft to the touch.
- Serve: Allow the dumplings to cool slightly in the dish, then serve warm, drizzled with the apple sauce from the pan.
Notes
- Use firm baking apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture and flavor.
- Keeping the peeled apples in lemon water prevents browning while assembling.
- You can prepare the pie dough from scratch or use a high-quality store-bought dough for convenience.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an indulgent treat.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator and reheat gently before serving.
Keywords: apple dumplings, baked apple dessert, old-fashioned apple recipe, pie dough apples, apple cider sauce
