Nostalgic apple dumplings are a deliciously sweet, flaky and saucy dessert that may look intimidating, but you'll be surprised how easy they are to make. Festive alert: Decorate them by adhering apple leaves and stems cut from the same dough.
Apple Dumplings
If you’re unfamiliar with this old-fashioned dessert, apple dumplings are made from fresh apples that are peeled and cored, wrapped in pastry dough and baked in a sweet sauce until they’re deliciously flaky, buttery and perfectly tender. Apple dumplings with sweet sauce have been enjoyed as far back as the early 1700s, when printed recipes of apple dumplings began to appear in early cookbooks. It’s a perfect dessert for autumn, the peak of apple season, but it can definitely be enjoyed all year long. Syrupy sweet, slightly tart and completely comforting, this recipe for apple dumplings with sauce is so classic that it might even be one of the recipes your grandmother used.
Ingredients for Apple Dumplings
- Flour: All-purpose flour is perfect for creating a flaky crust for these dumplings. Be careful if you choose one of the other types of flour, as it could change the structure of the crust.
- Shortening: Vegetable shortening is hydrogenated vegetable oil that remains solid at room temperature. Shortening’s claim to fame is that it makes baked goods flaky and moist while binding the ingredients together. Other fats, like butter or lard, have similar properties and may be substituted to achieve similar results.
- Apples: As with apple pie, tart apples work great with the recipe to balance the sweetness of the sauce and cinnamon sugar. While Granny Smith apples may be the old standby, there are several other varieties of apples that should definitely be on your radar.
- Butter: Butter mixes with the cinnamon sugar and is absorbed by the apples during the baking process, creating a perfectly creamy profile. More butter will go in the sauce as well.
- Cinnamon sugar: This is a delicious blend of white sugar and cinnamon, pre-mixed to achieve a perfect balance.
- Brown sugar: Less sweet than regular sugar, brown sugar is a blend of white sugar and molasses. It has an earthier flavor, with caramel notes, and is the basis for the sauce in this apple dumpling recipe.
Directions
Step 1: Make the dough
In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Cut the shortening into the flour mixture using a fork or pastry cutter until it becomes crumbly. Gradually stir in water while tossing with a fork until the dough forms into a ball.
Step 2: Refrigerate the dough
Divide the dough into eight equal portions, place them on a baking sheet, then cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or until the dough is firm and easy to handle.
Step 3: Roll out the dough
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Roll out each portion of refrigerated dough between two lightly floured pieces of waxed paper, until you have enough to trim into 7-inch squares.
Step 4: Stuff the apples
Place a peeled and cored apple in the center of each square. Fill each apple with 1 teaspoon butter and 1 teaspoon cinnamon sugar.
Step 5: Make the dumplings
Gently bring the corners of the dough squares up and over each apple to cover it completely. Trim any excess dough, and pinch the edges together to seal. If desired, cut out leaves and stems from the extra dough and attach them to the dumplings with a little water. Place the dumplings in a greased 13×9-inch baking dish, then sprinkle them with 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon sugar.
Step 6: Make the sauce
In a large saucepan, combine the brown sugar, water and cubed butter for the sauce. Bring the mixture just to a boil, stirring until the ingredients are blended and the sauce is smooth. Carefully pour the sauce over and around the dumplings. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon sugar.
Step 7: Bake the dumplings
Bake the dumplings until the apples are tender and the pastry is golden brown, 50 to 55 minutes, basting them occasionally with sauce. Serve warm.
Apple Dumpling Variations
- Make them nutty: Add some chopped pecans or walnuts inside the apple and the pastry.
- Add dried fruit: Give the dumplings a flavor boost by adding raisins, chopped dried apricots or dates inside the pastry crust.
- Try them a la mode: Put a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of the dumplings before serving for maximum happiness.
How to Store Apple Dumplings
Apple dumplings and sauce can be kept covered and at room temperature for up to two days, or in the refrigerator for four to five days.
Can you make apple dumplings and sauce ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the dough and wrap the apples and store them in the refrigerator for up to two days. Simply place the unbaked apple dumplings in the baking dish, then cover them with plastic or foil and refrigerate. For the sauce, allow it to cool to room temperature and store it in a separate container in the fridge. When you’re ready to finish the recipe, bake and serve as directed.
Apple Dumpling Tips
Can I use premade pie crust?
You definitely can. If you’re trying to cut down on prep time, use your favorite premade pie dough and follow the recipe as directed.
Can this recipe be made gluten-free?
This apple dumplings recipe is a great one to convert to a gluten-free option. Simply substitute the all-purpose flour 1-to-1 with your favorite gluten-free flour, and follow the recipe as directed.
Can I make them smaller?
If you’d like to make smaller versions of these dumplings, cut the apples and dough in half before filling. This same recipe can make 16 half-size dumplings—but keep in mind, you’ll likely end up eating two!
Watch How to Make Apple Dumplings with Sauce
Apple Dumplings with Sauce
Prep Time
60 min
Cook Time
50 min
Yield
8 servings
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup shortening
- 1/3 cup cold water
- 8 medium tart apples, peeled and cored
- 8 teaspoons butter
- 9 teaspoons cinnamon sugar, divided
- SAUCE:
- 1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup butter, cubed
Directions
- In a large bowl, combine flour and salt; cut in shortening until crumbly. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. Divide into 8 portions. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes or until easy to handle.
- Preheat oven to 350°. Roll out each portion of dough between 2 lightly floured sheets of waxed paper into a 7-in. square. Place an apple on each square. Place 1 teaspoon butter and 1 teaspoon cinnamon sugar in the center of each apple.
- Gently bring up corners of dough to each center, trimming any excess; pinch edges to seal. If desired, cut out apple leaves and stems from dough scraps; attach to dumplings with water. Place dumplings in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with half the remaining 1 teaspoon cinnamon sugar.
- In a large saucepan, combine sauce ingredients. Bring just to a boil, stirring until blended. Pour over apples; sprinkle with remaining cinnamon sugar.
- Bake until apples are tender and pastry is golden brown, 50-55 minutes, basting occasionally with sauce. Serve warm.
Nutrition Facts
1 dumpling: 764 calories, 40g fat (16g saturated fat), 41mg cholesterol, 429mg sodium, 97g carbohydrate (59g sugars, 3g fiber), 5g protein.
This warm and comforting apple dumplings recipe is incredible by itself or served with ice cream. You can decorate each dumpling by cutting 1-inch leaves and a 1/2-inch stem from the leftover dough. —Robin Lendon, Cincinnati, Ohio
Recipe Creator
