Description
Old-Fashioned Apple Dumplings are a comforting and classic dessert featuring tender apples wrapped in a flaky homemade pastry, baked to golden perfection with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. These dumplings are perfect for cozy family gatherings and offer a nostalgic taste of traditional baking.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup cold water (more if needed)
Filling
- 2 large apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled and cored
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Topping and Baking
- 1 tablespoon butter (for dotting on top)
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×9-inch baking dish to prepare it for the dumplings.
- Prepare the Apples: Peel and core the apples, then cut each apple into halves or quarters based on size, making sure they fit well into the dough squares.
- Make the Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, baking powder, and ground cinnamon until evenly mixed.
- Incorporate Butter: Add the cold cubed unsalted butter to the flour mixture and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend the butter in until the mixture resembles pea-sized crumbs.
- Form the Dough: Gradually add the cold water one tablespoon at a time, mixing gently until the dough just comes together and is soft but not sticky. Add additional water if necessary.
- Roll Out Dough: On a well-floured surface, roll the dough out to about 1/8-inch thickness into a square or circle, then cut it into 4 separate squares large enough to fully wrap each apple piece.
- Assemble Dumplings: Place one apple half or quarter in the center of each dough square. Sprinkle the inside of each apple generously with brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg.
- Wrap Apples: Fold the edges of the dough over the apples and pinch them tightly together to seal, forming a dumpling shape.
- Prepare for Baking: Arrange the dumplings in the greased baking dish. Dot the tops with small pieces of butter, then sprinkle with the remaining brown sugar and cinnamon mixture.
- Add Baking Sauce: Pour 1 cup of water carefully around the dumplings in the baking dish to provide moisture during baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the dumplings turn golden brown and the apples inside are tender.
- Serve: Allow the dumplings to cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy warm, optionally topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra indulgence.
Notes
- Use tart apple varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for a balance of sweetness and tartness.
- If the dough is too dry, add a little more cold water, one teaspoon at a time.
- To prevent sticking, roll the dough on a floured surface and lightly flour your rolling pin.
- For extra flavor, try adding a splash of vanilla extract or a pinch of cloves to the apple filling spices.
- Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a classic pairing.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
