Apple Dumplings are a cozy, comforting dessert made by wrapping tart apple slices in pastry dough, baking them to golden perfection, and then topping them with a sweet syrup. They’re perfect for fall, but honestly, any time of the year will do! This recipe is easy to follow and results in a warm, gooey, and delicious dessert.
Here’s a simple recipe for Apple Dumplings:
Apple Dumplings Recipe
Ingredients:
For the Dumplings:
- 2 large apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp are great choices)
- 2 sheets puff pastry (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon butter, cut into small cubes
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
For the Syrup:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the Apples:
- Peel, core, and slice the apples into wedges (about 8 wedges per apple).
- Drizzle with lemon juice to prevent browning.
3. Roll Out the Puff Pastry:
- Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface.
- Cut each sheet of puff pastry into 4 equal squares (8 squares total).
4. Assemble the Dumplings:
- Place one apple wedge in the center of each puff pastry square.
- Sprinkle the sugar and cinnamon over the apple.
- Dot the apples with a small cube of butter.
- Fold the corners of the pastry up and over the apple, pinching the edges together to seal them. You want to make sure they’re tightly wrapped.
5. Prepare the Egg Wash:
- In a small bowl, whisk the egg with 1 tablespoon of water.
- Brush the top of each dumpling with the egg wash to give them a beautiful golden color when baked.
6. Make the Syrup:
- In a saucepan, combine the butter, sugar, water, vanilla extract, and cinnamon.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar is dissolved, and the syrup has thickened slightly (about 5 minutes).
7. Bake the Dumplings:
- Place the dumplings into the prepared baking dish.
- Pour the syrup over the dumplings, ensuring the syrup pools around the base of each one.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown and puffed up.
8. Serve:
- Once the apple dumplings are done, let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
- You can serve them warm, drizzling some of the syrup over the top, or enjoy with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence.
Tips for the Perfect Apple Dumplings:
- Apple Variety: Choose an apple that holds its shape when baked, such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji. Tart apples balance the sweetness of the syrup.
- Syrup: The syrup will soak into the pastry and apples as the dumplings bake, making them extra sweet and flavorful.
- Make Ahead: You can assemble the dumplings the night before, cover them, and refrigerate them until you’re ready to bake them the next day. Just make sure to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if they’re chilled.
- Puff Pastry: If you don’t have puff pastry, you can also use crescent roll dough or pie dough as a substitute.
Storage:
- These dumplings are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
- To reheat, warm them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.
This Apple Dumplings recipe is incredibly comforting with the buttery, flaky pastry, tender apples, and sweet cinnamon syrup. It’s the kind of dessert that makes your kitchen smell amazing and brings warmth to any meal! Would you top it with ice cream or whipped cream?