Grandma’s Cozy Old-Fashioned Apple Dumplings Recipe

Grandma’s cherished old-fashioned apple dumplings carry sweet memories of childhood comfort.

Warm aromas from her kitchen would drift through hallways, promising delectable treats.

Crisp pastry wrapped around tender apples creates a nostalgic dessert that feels like a culinary hug.

Soft, flaky layers melt in your mouth with each heavenly bite.

Cinnamon and nutmeg dance together, infusing the dumplings with rich, warming spices.

Generations have savored this classic recipe, passing down love through simple ingredients.

Old-Fashioned Apple Dumplings Sweet and Nostalgic Treat

• Savor Homemade Comfort: These old-fashioned apple dumplings bring nostalgic warmth with their classic recipe that feels like a hug from grandma's kitchen.
• Conquer Baking Confidence: Perfect for beginner bakers seeking an approachable dessert that looks impressive but requires minimal technical skills to create.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert Magic: Guaranteed to delight everyone from kids to adults with its irresistible combination of tender apples, flaky pastry, and sweet cinnamon-spiced sauce.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Ideal for potlucks, family gatherings, holiday celebrations, or simply treating yourself to a delectable homemade dessert that screams comfort and love.

Ingredients Checklist for Old-Fashioned Apple Dumplings

Main Ingredients:

Apples: Whole, fresh apples that serve as the centerpiece of this classic dessert.

Pie Dough: Homemade or store-bought pastry that will wrap and encase each apple.

• Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create a luxurious texture inside each dumpling.
• Granulated Sugar, Apple Pie Spice Blend: Provides sweetness and warm, aromatic spices to enhance the apple's natural flavor.

• Sugar, Water, Butter: Combine to create a sweet, syrupy sauce that will be poured over the baked dumplings.
• Vanilla Extract: Contributes a deep, comforting flavor to the sauce.

• Lemon Juice: Prevents apple browning and maintains the fruit's fresh appearance during preparation.

Stepwise Directions to Bake Old-Fashioned Apple Dumplings

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to 375°F and grab a 13×9-inch baking dish. Give the dish a quick spray of cooking oil so nothing sticks.

Step 2: Prepare the Apples

Peel and core the apples with care. Drop them into a water bath with a splash of lemon juice to keep them looking fresh and crisp.

Step 3: Roll Out the Dough

If using homemade pie dough, roll it into a large rectangle about 21×14 inches. Slice the dough into 6 equal squares, each around 7×7 inches.

For store-bought dough, simply unroll and cut into 6 matching pieces.

Step 4: Create the Spice Mixture

• Granulated sugar
• Apple pie spice blend

Step 5: Stuff and Wrap the Apples

Place an apple in the center of each dough square.

Tuck a pat of butter into the apple’s core. Sprinkle the sugar-spice mixture inside.

Gently pull the dough corners up and around the apple, pinching to seal completely. Nestle each wrapped apple into the prepared baking dish.

Step 6: Whip Up the Sauce

In a saucepan, combine sauce ingredients. Heat to a bubbling boil, stirring until sugar dissolves completely.

Remove from heat.

Step 7: Pour and Sprinkle

Drizzle the hot sauce over the wrapped apples.

Dust with any remaining sugar-spice mixture.

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking dish into the oven.

Bake for 50-55 minutes until the dumplings turn a gorgeous golden brown and the apples feel tender when poked with a knife. Let cool briefly before serving warm with extra sauce spooned on top.

Kitchen Tips to Nail Old-Fashioned Apple Dumplings

• Select firm, tart apples like Granny Smith for the best texture and flavor balance in your dumplings.
• Prevent apple browning by soaking peeled apples in lemon water, keeping them fresh and vibrant during preparation.
• Seal dough edges completely to lock in apple juices and create a beautiful, flaky exterior that won't leak during baking.
• Create perfect sauce consistency by whisking continuously and removing from heat immediately after sugar dissolves completely.
• Allow dumplings to cool slightly before serving to let the sauce thicken and flavors meld, enhancing the overall taste experience.

Fun Variations to Try with Apple Dumplings

• Gluten-Free Dumpling Delight: Replace traditional pie dough with gluten-free pastry mix or almond flour dough. Use certified gluten-free ingredients to ensure safe consumption for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Apple Pocket Treats: Substitute butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine. Replace traditional dough with plant-based pastry made from vegetable shortening and wheat flour. Use maple syrup instead of sugar for natural sweetening.
• Low-Sugar Wellness Version: Utilize stevia or monk fruit sweetener as sugar alternatives. Select tart green apples to reduce overall sugar content. Incorporate cinnamon and nutmeg for enhanced flavor without additional calories.

Pairings That Go Perfectly with Apple Dumplings

• Smooth, cold vanilla ice cream melts luxuriously over warm apple dumplings, creating a heavenly temperature contrast that elevates the dessert's rich, spiced flavors.
• A small glass of spiced whiskey or bourbon complements the apple dumpling's warm spices, adding depth and a subtle warming sensation that matches the dessert's comforting profile.
• A hot caramel macchiato mirrors the dumpling's sweet caramelized sauce, with espresso notes cutting through the richness and enhancing the apple's natural sweetness.

Storage Guidelines for Old-Fashioned Apple Dumplings

• Store leftovers in an airtight container, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days. Wrap each dumpling individually in plastic wrap to prevent moisture loss and maintain texture.
• Carefully place cooled dumplings in freezer-safe containers or ziplock bags. Seal tightly, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 2 months without losing flavor or quality.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place dumplings on a baking sheet, cover loosely with aluminum foil to prevent drying. Warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through, restoring their original soft and flaky texture.

FAQs

• What ingredients make the dough for these apple dumplings?

The dough can be homemade pie crust or store-bought pie dough, rolled out and cut into 6 equal segments of approximately 7×7 inches.

• How do I prevent the apples from turning brown while preparing the dumplings?

Immerse the peeled and cored apples in cold water with a small amount of lemon juice to prevent oxidation and discoloration.

• Can I adjust the spice mixture for the dumplings?

Yes, you can customize the sugar and spice mixture to suit your taste preferences, using apple pie spice blend or creating your own combination of spices.

Old-Fashioned Apple Dumplings Recipe

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4.6 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Grandma’s old-fashioned apple dumplings recipe brings nostalgic comfort from Midwestern kitchens. Sweet cinnamon-spiced apples wrapped in flaky pastry create a classic dessert that warms hearts and memories.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 6 medium-sized apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
• 1 double-crust pie dough (9-inch)
• 6 tbsps granulated sugar
• 3 tbsps unsalted butter (cut into 6 equal portions)
• 1 tsp apple pie spice blend
• 1 cup apple juice or cider (unfiltered)
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar (lightly packed)
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a 13×9-inch baking dish with a light coating of grease.
2. Carefully peel and core the apples, immediately submerging them in cold water mixed with lemon juice to prevent browning.
3. Roll out the pie dough into a 21×14-inch rectangle, then divide it into 6 equal 7×7-inch segments.
4. Create a sugar-spice mixture by thoroughly blending granulated sugar with apple pie spice.
5. Center a cored apple on each dough segment, filling its core with butter and a tablespoon of the sugar-spice mixture.
6. Gently fold the dough edges over each apple, meticulously sealing the edges to completely encase the fruit.
7. Arrange the wrapped apples in the prepared baking dish, ensuring they are evenly spaced.
8. Craft the sauce by combining ingredients in a saucepan, heating to a rolling boil while whisking until sugar dissolves completely.
9. Pour the hot sauce evenly over the wrapped apples, sprinkle any remaining sugar-spice mixture on top.
10. Bake for 50-55 minutes until the dumplings turn golden brown and the apples become tender when pierced with a knife.
11. Remove from the oven and allow a brief cooling period before serving warm, drizzling additional sauce over each dumpling.

Notes

• Prevent apple browning by adding a splash of lemon juice to cold water, keeping sliced apples crisp and fresh during preparation.
• Choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best texture and flavor balance in the dumplings.
• Create gluten-free version by substituting regular pie dough with almond flour or gluten-free pastry dough for sensitive diets.
• Enhance dumpling richness by experimenting with different spice blends like cardamom or adding a pinch of nutmeg for deeper warmth.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 280 kcal
• Sugar: 32 g
• Sodium: 40 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 54 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg