Description
These Old-Fashioned Apple Dumplings feature tender apples wrapped in a flaky, cinnamon-spiced pastry, baked to golden perfection. They are a delightful, nostalgic dessert perfect for cozy gatherings and evoke the warmth of classic homemade baking.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 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)
Apple 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 prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Apples: Peel and core the apples, then cut each into halves or quarters depending on size to fit inside the dough squares.
- Make the Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, baking powder, and ground cinnamon for evenly distributed flavor.
- Incorporate Butter: Add the cold cubed unsalted butter to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend until the mixture resembles pea-sized crumbs, which will give the dough a flaky texture.
- Form the Dough: Gradually add the cold water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing just until the dough comes together into a soft ball. Add more water if necessary, but avoid overmixing.
- Roll Out Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Cut it into 4 large squares, each enough to fully wrap around an apple piece.
- Assemble Dumplings: Place one apple half or quarter in the center of each dough square. Sprinkle the apple pieces generously with brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg for a spiced filling.
- Wrap Apples: Carefully fold and pinch the dough edges over the apple to seal each dumpling, ensuring the filling stays inside during baking.
- Prepare for Baking: Arrange the wrapped dumplings in the greased baking dish. Dot the tops with small pieces of butter and sprinkle with the remaining brown sugar and cinnamon mixture.
- Add Baking Sauce: Pour 1 cup of water around the dumplings in the dish, which helps create steam and keeps the dumplings moist while baking.
- Bake: Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the dumplings turn golden brown and the apples are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Serve: Allow the dumplings to cool for a few minutes before serving. These are best enjoyed warm, optionally topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for extra indulgence.
Notes
- Choose firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best texture and flavor.
- Keep butter cold for a flakier pastry crust.
- Adjust water quantity in the dough gradually to avoid making it too sticky or too dry.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a classic dessert experience.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated gently in the oven.
