Description
Old-fashioned apple dumplings are a cozy, nostalgic dessert made by wrapping tart apples in buttery pastry, then baking them in a warm cinnamon-vanilla syrup until golden and tender. Perfect for family gatherings or chilly evenings.
Ingredients
- 6 tart apples (such as Granny Smith), peeled and cored
- 2 refrigerated pie crusts or homemade pastry dough
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Peel and core the apples, removing seeds and creating a hollow center.
- Roll out the dough and cut into squares large enough to wrap around each apple.
- In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Place each apple on a dough square and fill the center with the sugar mixture and 1 tbsp of butter.
- Wrap the dough up around each apple, pinching the edges to seal. Place the dumplings in a baking dish.
- In a saucepan, combine the water, granulated sugar, remaining butter, and vanilla extract. Bring to a gentle boil and stir until the sugar is dissolved.
- Pour the hot syrup around the dumplings in the baking dish, not over the top.
- Bake for 35–45 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown and the apples are tender.
- Serve warm with syrup from the pan or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Notes
- For a flakier crust, use puff pastry instead of pie dough.
- Add raisins or chopped nuts inside the apples for more texture.
- Substitute apple cider for water in the syrup for deeper flavor.
- Pears can be used in place of apples for a twist.
- Reheat in the oven to keep the crust crisp.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 dumpling
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
