Step into a realm of cherished flavors with our Classic Apple Dumplings! Comprising entire apples prepared for baking, sumptuous pie crust, a filling infused with spices and sugar, and an exquisite sauce made from apple juice, this dessert offers a delightful journey to yesteryear’s pleasures.
Every bite of these Old-Fashioned Apple Dumplings sends me back to a more straightforward, nostalgic era – a time when the aroma of apples baking would fill Grandma’s home. I cherished Saturday mornings the most. Dressed in her signature apron, Grandma would announce, “Today’s the day for apple dumplings, dear!” Together, we’d select the ripest apples from the orchard behind her house and, under her watchful eye, create these divine desserts. It was magical to witness the transformation of simple apples into the highlight of our weekends. These dumplings are more than just a recipe; they’re a slice of my heart, a piece of precious memories that I’m thrilled to pass on to you.
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Each bite of these Old-Fashioned Apple Dumplings sends me back to an era more serene – a period where the scent of apples baking would gently fill Grandma’s home. Saturdays held a special charm. Adorned in her signature apron, Grandma would announce with a smile, “It’s apple dumpling day, sweetie!” Together, we’d select the ripest apples from the orchard behind her house and, under her watchful eye, create these divine treats. There was a kind of magic in seeing those simple apples evolve into the highlight of our week. These dumplings are more than just a recipe; they embody a sliver of my soul, a collection of precious moments I now have the privilege to pass on to you.
These Classic Apple Dumplings will transport you to the warm, welcoming kitchen of your grandmother! Each apple, encased in a tender pastry, bakes to perfection amidst a medley of aromatic spices and a delectably sweet syrup, evoking a sense of comfort and nostalgia. Recently, during a conversation about apple desserts with my friend Stephie, she inquired whether my blog, My Baking Addiction, featured any apple dumpling recipes. Given the vast array of recipes I’ve shared over the years, keeping track can be a challenge. However, a swift search revealed the absence of Old-Fashioned Apple Dumplings from my blog, prompting us to rectify this oversight immediately.
Stephie has a passion for baking pies from scratch, a task I admittedly find less appealing, especially when it involves making pie dough. Seeking assistance for this recipe, I turned to her expertise. She comforted me with the assurance that opting for store-bought pie dough was perfectly acceptable — and, to be honest, making it from scratch was not on my agenda. I must say, using a store-bought pie crust turned out to be an excellent decision for crafting an exquisite apple dumpling, not to mention a significant time-saver. For those who prefer to make their pie crust by hand, I imagine the results could be even more spectacular.
These Traditional Apple Dumplings stand out for several compelling reasons:
Entire Apples: Instead of settling for slices or chunks, these dumplings feature whole apples, delivering an unmatched juicy experience with every bite.
Generous Pie Crust Embrace: Each apple is lovingly encased in a plentiful amount of pie dough, guaranteeing a delightful combination of tender crust and rich apple in every mouthful.
Enchanting Spice Blend: A dash of apple pie spice adds a magical touch, evoking the warmth of fall evenings and intimate gatherings.
Decadent Sauce: The accompanying apple juice sauce transcends the ordinary with its rich, buttery sweetness, cascading over the dumplings to enhance the flavor experience.
Ingredients for Classic Apple Dumplings:
Baking Apples: Choose between Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apples to achieve the right balance of sweet and tart flavors.
Pie Crust: Whether you prefer making it from scratch or using a ready-made one, ensure it’s sized for a 9-inch double pie crust to give the apples the snug wrap they deserve.
Apple Pie Spice: A small amount of this cozy spice mix will bring the nostalgic essence of a grandmother’s kitchen to your dumplings.
Sauce: Opt for unfiltered apple juice or apple cider to impart a genuine, full-bodied apple taste to the dish.
Creating Traditional Apple Dumplings:
Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F and lightly greasing your baking dish. This sets the stage for our main attraction: the apples.
Next, peel and core the apples. A useful trick to prevent them from turning brown is to immerse them in water with a bit of lemon. It’s like a mini spa day for the apples!
Time to roll out the dough. Whether you’re opting for a homemade version or grabbing one from the store, aim to shape it into a square measuring approximately 7×7 inches for each apple.
Combine the sugar, spices, and everything delightful. This mix is responsible for giving our dumplings their distinct taste.
Now, let’s get to the exciting part! Take each apple and place it on a square of dough. Fill the core with butter, dust with your sugar and spice mixture, then wrap and seal the dough around the apple, reminiscent of gift-wrapping.
On your stove, stir the sauce ingredients together over heat until they reach a boil. This sauce will be absolutely divine.
Generously pour the sauce over the apples snug in their dough blankets and top with any remaining sugar and spice mixture. Why hold back?
Bake in the oven for 50-55 minutes. Once they’ve reached a golden tenderness, serve them warm, making sure to lavish them with more of that delicious sauce.
Storing Your Dumplings:
After allowing your dumplings to cool, tightly wrap them in either aluminum foil or plastic wrap and place them in the refrigerator. They will remain fresh for up to three days. When you’re ready to indulge again, simply reheat them in either the oven or microwave. For those looking to keep their dumplings for a longer period, transfer them into bags that are suitable for freezing and store them in the freezer. Whenever you’re in the mood for dumplings, just thaw and reheat to enjoy!
Creative Twists and Healthy Swaps:
In the mood for something fruity? Try using peaches instead of apples for a delightful change. Not a fan of pie dough? Consider using puff pastry as a luxurious substitute. To add a zesty flavor, replace apple juice with either pear or cranberry juice. For those mindful of their sugar intake, consider using maple syrup or honey as a healthier alternative to brown sugar. The key is to personalize your dumplings to your liking while maintaining their core delight.
Classic Apple Dumplings Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 medium-sized baking apples, such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith
- Enough pie dough for a 9-inch double crust pie, homemade or store-bought
- For the Filling:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided into 6 pieces
- 6 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice
- For the Sauce:
- 1 cup natural apple juice or cider
- ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
Instructions
- Start by heating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 13x9-inch baking dish and set aside.
- Peel and core the apples. To prevent them from turning brown while you prepare the dough, keep them in cold water mixed with a bit of lemon juice.
- For homemade pie dough, roll it out into a large rectangle about 21x14 inches, then cut into 6 squares (7x7 inches each). If using store-bought dough, simply unroll and cut it into 6 equal pieces.
- Mix the granulated sugar and apple pie spice in a bowl until well combined.
- Place an apple on each dough square. Fill the core of each apple with a piece of butter and a tablespoon of the sugar-spice mixture. Wrap the dough around each apple, sealing the edges carefully, and place them in the prepared baking dish. Repeat with all apples and dough.
- In a saucepan, mix the sauce ingredients and heat over medium until it boils and the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and pour evenly over the dough-wrapped apples, sprinkling any leftover sugar-spice mix on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 50-55 minutes, or until they're golden and soft to the touch. Let cool slightly before serving warm, drizzled with the sauce.
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