Heavenly Baked Apple Dumplings: Your Ultimate Guide to Cozy Fall Comfort
As the leaves begin to turn and a crispness fills the air, there’s nothing quite as comforting and inviting as the aroma of freshly baked apple dumplings wafting from the kitchen. These heavenly treats, featuring tender, spiced apples lovingly encased in a delicate, flaky pastry and bathed in a luscious brown sugar syrup, are the quintessential fall dessert. They’re an absolute delight, evoking feelings of warmth and nostalgia with every ooey-gooey bite.
Forget your ordinary apple desserts; these homemade baked apple dumplings transcend expectations. The magic truly happens when that incredible brown sugar syrup infuses every layer, creating a rich, caramel-like sweetness that’s simply irresistible. If you’re an apple enthusiast, you’ll also adore our Apple Cinnamon Bread, a delightful Apple Butter Spice Cake, and these 4 Amazing Apple Coffee Cakes!
Why These Baked Apple Dumplings Are a Must-Try
Imagine whole, cored apples, brimming with a fragrant blend of cinnamon, brown sugar, and a generous dab of butter. Now, picture them meticulously wrapped in a tender, homemade pastry dough, then baked to golden perfection in a pool of rich, buttery brown sugar syrup. This isn’t just a dessert; it’s an old-fashioned culinary masterpiece, fit for royalty – and certainly for my mom!
Apple dumplings hold a special place in our hearts and family traditions. They were one of my mother’s all-time favorite desserts, right alongside her beloved peach cobbler and custard pie. I vividly recall autumns spent with my mother and grandmother, their kitchen filled with laughter and the sweet scent of apples, as they carefully crafted batches of these delicious dumplings during the apple harvest season. Each bite was pure joy, a taste of home and cherished memories.
These versatile treats weren’t just for dessert. Sometimes, we’d enjoy a warm apple dumpling as a cozy evening meal, or even for breakfast, served simply with a glass of cold milk. Their comforting sweetness makes them perfect for any time of day, truly embodying the spirit of homemade comfort food.
Choosing the Best Apples for Homemade Apple Dumplings
When it comes to baking, the choice of apple truly makes a significant difference. For apple dumplings, you want an apple that maintains its structure and doesn’t turn into an unappealing mush during baking. This ensures each bite offers a delightful texture contrast between the tender apple and the flaky pastry.
My top recommendation for baked apple dumplings is the **Granny Smith** apple. Its wonderfully tart and sweet flavor profile, combined with its firm flesh, allows it to hold up exceptionally well under heat, resulting in a perfectly tender, yet not disintegrating, apple core. However, several other apple varieties also perform beautifully in this recipe:
- **McIntosh:** Known for its tender, juicy flesh, it softens nicely while still offering a good apple flavor.
- **Jonagold:** A cross between Jonathan and Golden Delicious, it strikes a great balance of sweet and tart, and bakes well.
- **Honeycrisp:** While on the sweeter side, its crisp texture holds up remarkably, making it a favorite for many bakers.
- **Braeburn:** Offers a pleasant sweet-tart flavor and a firm texture that bakes wonderfully.
- **Winesap:** A classic baking apple with a tangy flavor and sturdy flesh.
- **Pink Lady (Cripps Pink):** Sweet, tart, and crisp, it retains its shape and offers a lovely flavor.
- **Mutsu (Crispin):** A large, sweet, and firm apple that stands up well to baking.
The baking time for your apple dumplings will largely depend on the size of the apples you choose. Smaller apples typically bake in about 45 minutes, while medium-sized apples may require closer to 60 minutes. Since each dumpling is an individual serving, selecting similar-sized apples ensures even baking. To check for doneness, simply insert a fork into a dumpling; the apple should feel tender. If not, continue baking for additional increments until perfectly soft.
One of the many joys of apple dumplings is their versatility in serving. They can be enjoyed hot, cold, or at room temperature, making them suitable for breakfast, a delightful dessert, or even a comforting main dish. For an extra touch of indulgence, serve them with a splash of milk or cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Pure dreamy bliss!
Crafting the Perfect Homemade Apple Dumplings
Making homemade apple dumplings, often referred to as Amish apple dumplings or Dutch Pennsylvania apple dumplings, is a rewarding process that combines simple ingredients with classic techniques to create something truly spectacular. Here’s a detailed overview of the preparation:
Essential Ingredients for Baked Apple Dumplings
To embark on this delightful baking adventure, you’ll need a few key components:
For the Apples:
- 6 small to medium-sized apples, peeled and cored.
For the Brown Sugar Syrup:
- Water
- Brown sugar (granulated sugar can also be used for a slightly different flavor)
- Butter
For the Flaky Pastry Dough:
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Softened butter
- Milk of choice
For the Apple Core Filling:
- Brown sugar (feel free to double this amount for a sweeter center)
- Cinnamon
- Butter (to dot on top of the filling)
Step-by-Step Preparation Guide
- Prepare the Apples: Begin by peeling and coring your apples. While you can use whole apples, some prefer to quarter them before wrapping. An apple corer makes this task incredibly easy. If you’re short on time or prefer the rustic appeal, leaving the skin on is perfectly fine – it’s all about personal preference!
- Fill the Cores: The hollow center of each cored apple is where the flavor truly blossoms. Fill this space generously with a mixture of cinnamon and brown sugar, then top it off with a small pat of butter. For an extra delightful surprise, consider adding a few raisins or chopped walnuts to the filling.
- Craft the Dough: The pastry dough for these dumplings is wonderfully straightforward and doesn’t require refrigeration. Simply combine all the dough ingredients until a soft, pliable ball forms. Divide this dough into individual portions – one for each apple.
- Wrap the Apples: On a lightly floured surface, roll out each dough portion into a circular shape large enough to envelop an apple. Place a filled apple in the center of each rolled-out dough piece. Carefully fold the dough over the apple, ensuring it’s completely sealed. Pinch all seams firmly to prevent any delicious filling from escaping.
- Prepare the Syrup: In a saucepan, combine water, brown sugar, and butter, bringing it to a boil. Allow this sweet, buttery syrup to cool slightly before pouring it over the dough-wrapped apples. Pouring boiling syrup directly onto the pastry can sometimes melt the dough, so cooling it down is a crucial step for the best texture.
- Bake to Perfection: Arrange your dough-covered apples in a baking dish. Pour the prepared syrup generously over them. Bake until the apples are tender and the pastry is beautifully golden brown. For an intensified flavor and a golden crust, remember to spoon some of that luscious syrup over the dumplings every 15 minutes during baking. This basting process allows the flavors to meld and the dough to absorb the sweet essence of the syrup.
Did you know that September 17th is National Apple Dumpling Day? While it’s a wonderful day to celebrate, with this scrumptious apple dumpling recipe, we believe every day can be an apple dumpling day! For even more apple-inspired culinary adventures, be sure to check out our 45 Must-Try Best Apple Dessert Recipes. Enjoy!
Explore More Delicious Recipe Ideas!
If you’re looking for more delightful treats to bake, here are some of our top recommendations:
- Easy Dutch Crumble Apple Pie Bars
- ‘Cinnamon Roll’ Apple Dumplings
- 20 Awesome Bars for Fall!
- 10 Tempting Comfort Snack Cakes You Probably Need To Try
- Apple Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake
- Homemade Blueberry Cobbler
- German Spiced Apple Cake
- Awesome Country Apple Fritter Bread Recipe (Featured on The Kitchen – Food Network!)
- Cadbury Egg Rice Krispies
- Caramel Glazed Apple Crumble Coffee Cake
- Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake – Keto | Sugar Free Option too!
Heavenly Baked Apple Dumplings
By Kim Lange
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
Apples:
- 6 apples peeled & cored, small to medium size
Brown Sugar Syrup:
- 1 & ⅔ cups water
- 2 cups brown sugar can also use granulated sugar
- ¼ cup butter
Pastry Dough:
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ⅔ cup butter softened
- ½ cup milk
Brown Sugar Mixture for Cored Apples:
- 6 tablespoons brown sugar can double if you want more sugar in center
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons butter cut into 6 slabs evenly
Instructions
Apple Prep
- Prep apples by peeling and coring apples using an apple corer or by cutting out cores manually. Coring manually can be time-consuming, so you may opt to cut apples in half if you don’t have an apple corer.
Brown Sugar Syrup:
- In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, water, and butter. Bring to a boil and boil for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool while you prepare the dough.
Pastry Dough:
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix in the softened butter, then add the milk and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Divide the dough into 6 equal balls.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out each ball of dough. Place a cored, peeled apple in the center of each rolled-out dough piece. Ensure the dough is rolled out enough to completely cover the apple and pinch all seams together to seal.
Brown Sugar Mixture for Cored Apples:
- Mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon. Spoon about a tablespoon of this mixture into each apple core. Top each with a small slab of butter.
- Carefully fold the dough around each apple and press the seams together firmly to form a ball.
- Place these dumplings in a 9×13 inch baking pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
- Pour the cooled brown sugar syrup mixture over the dumplings. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 45-60 minutes, or until the apples are soft and the dough is golden brown. (For extra flavor and a beautiful crust, baste the apples with the syrup every 15 minutes or at least halfway through baking.)
- Serve warm with milk, cream, ice cream, or whipped topping if desired.
Notes
For longer storage, freeze them in an airtight container for up to two months. Allow them to defrost fully in the container before reheating.
Pastry Shortcut: For a quicker preparation, use store-bought refrigerated pie crusts (two 15 oz. packages). Divide each pie crust into three equal portions and roll out for your dumplings. Dust with flour as needed to prevent sticking. Continue to follow the instructions for filling and baking. Tip: Always use fresh, not previously frozen and thawed, store-bought pie crusts for the best results.