Old-Fashioned Apple Dumplings
These Old-Fashioned Apple Dumplings are a warm, nostalgic dessert that delivers all the comfort of classic apple pie in a charming individual package. Each Granny Smith apple is filled with a spiced brown sugar center, topped with a bit of butter, wrapped in flaky pie dough, and baked to golden perfection. A sweet apple-cider sauce is poured over the dumplings before baking, creating a rich, aromatic treat that’s as cozy as it gets.
Old-Fashioned Apple Dumplings
Ingredients
For the Dumplings
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Large Granny Smith apples, peeled and cored | 6 |
| 9-inch pie crusts | 2 |
| Packed brown sugar | ½ cup |
| Cinnamon | 1 teaspoon |
| Nutmeg | ½ teaspoon |
| Salt | ½ teaspoon |
| Butter, cut into 6 pieces | 6 tablespoons |
For the Sauce
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Apple cider | 2 cups |
| Brown sugar | 3 tablespoons |
| Butter | 2 tablespoons |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon |
| Cinnamon | 1 teaspoon |
How To Make Old-Fashioned Apple Dumplings
Step 1: Prep & Preheat
Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
Step 2: Form the Dumplings
Cut the pie crusts into 6 equal sections. Roll each one into a 7-inch square or circle—just large enough to wrap a whole apple. Place one prepared apple in the center of each dough piece.
Step 3: Fill the Apples
Mix together the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a small bowl. Divide the mixture among the apples, pressing some into the hollow center and sprinkling the rest around the base. Add one tablespoon-sized piece of butter into each apple’s core.
Step 4: Wrap the Apples
Fold the edges of the dough up and over each apple, pinching to fully seal the dumpling. Arrange all dumplings in the buttered baking dish.
Step 5: Prepare the Sauce
In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine apple cider, brown sugar, butter, vanilla, and cinnamon. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring until the sugar melts. Let it simmer for 1 more minute, then remove from heat. Allow it to cool for about 5 minutes, then pour the warm sauce evenly over the dumplings.
Step 6: Bake & Serve
Bake for 50–55 minutes, until the dumplings are deeply golden and the apples are soft. Let them cool for about 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm with vanilla ice cream and an extra spoonful of the sauce.
