Old Fashion Apple Dumplings
If you’re craving a taste of nostalgia, there’s nothing quite like old fashioned apple dumplings to transport you back in time. And fall is the perfect time to make these old fashion apple dumplings! Orchards come alive with a bounty of crisp, freshly harvested apples. These apples, at the peak of their flavor, serve as the star ingredient for this delicious autumn treat.
Choosing the right apples can greatly affect the flavor and texture of the final dish. You’ll want to select apples that are firm and not too sweet, as they should hold their shape during baking and provide a balanced flavor. Here’s a list of apple varieties that work well for apple dumplings:
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Choosing the Right Apple
Granny Smith: These tart apples hold their shape well and provide a nice contrast to the sweetness of the dumpling filling.
Honeycrisp: (My favorite for these Old Fashion Apple Dumplings) Known for their crisp texture and sweet-tart flavor, Honeycrisp apples add a pleasant crunch to your dumplings.
Braeburn: These apples have a slightly spicy-sweet flavor and hold up nicely in baking.
Jonathan: Jonathan apples are a classic choice for baking, offering a good balance of tartness and sweetness.
Golden Delicious: While sweeter than some other varieties, Golden Delicious apples can be used if you prefer a milder sweetness in your dumplings.
Pink Lady: These apples are both sweet and tart, making them a flavorful option for your dumplings.
Rome Beauty: Rome Beauty apples are excellent for baking due to their firm texture and mildly tart flavor.
Cortland: Cortland apples are slightly tart and hold their shape well when baked.
Fuji: Fuji apples are sweet and crisp, and while they may not be as tart as others, they can work if you like a sweeter dumpling.
Stayman Winesap: These apples have a rich, spicy-sweet flavor and hold their shape when baked.
Some people prefer a tarter apple, while others enjoy a sweeter option. Mix and match apple varieties to create a flavor profile that suits your taste buds.
Ingredients For Old Fashion Apple Dumplings
For the Dumplings:
6 Apples: Medium
Pie Crust: I Use my flaky butter pie crust and double it.
For the Sauce:
1 1/2 Cups Water
1 1/2 Cups White Sugar
2 tsp. Cinnamon
1 Whole Vanilla Bean (Split) or 2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. Nutmeg
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Apples
Peel and Core the Apples: Remove the cores from the apples. You can use a paring knife or an apple corer for this.
Making the Dumplings
Roll Out the Pie Crust: Roll 1/8″ thick and cut dough into 7″ squares.
Wrap the Apples: Place one apple in the center of each square and place a small pat of butter and sprinkle of cinnamon. Bring one corner of the pastry dough up to the top of the apple, then bring opposite corner to the top and press together. Bring up the two remaining corners and seal. Pinch all seams to seal.
Place in Baking Dish: Arrange the wrapped apples snugly in a baking dish.
Preparing the Sauce
Combine Ingredients: In a pot, combine 1 1/2 cups of water, 1 1/2 cups of white sugar, 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, the split vanilla bean, and a pinch of nutmeg.
Bring to a Boil
Simmer: Once it’s boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for a few minutes.
Remove from Heat
Pour Over Dumplings: Gently pour the warm sauce over the dumplings.
Bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake the dumplings for about 45 minutes or until they turn golden brown. The kitchen will be filled with mouthwatering scents.
Serve Warm: Let the dumplings cool slightly but be sure to serve them warm. The sauce will have thickened, creating a yummy glaze.
Apparel for the foodies & grillers
Old Fashion Apple Dumplings
Ingredients
- 6 medium apples
- 2 pie crusts
- 3 Tbsp butter
- cinnamon for sprinkling on apples
- 1 1/2 cup water
- 1 1/2 cup white sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 whole vanilla bean split . or 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees ℉
- In a pot, combine 1 1/2 cups of water, 1 1/2 cups of white sugar, 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, the split vanilla bean, and a tsp of nutmeg. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for a few minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Peel and core the apples. Roll out your pie crust about 1/8" thick and cut into 7" squares. Place a peeled and cored apple in the center of each square. place 1/2 Tbsp butter in each hole and sprinkle apple with cinnamon.
- Bring one corner of the pastry dough up to the top of the apple, then bring opposite corner to the top and press together. Bring up the two remaining corners and seal. Pinch all seams to seal.
- Place the apple dumplings in a 9 x 13 baking dish and pour syrup over the apple dumplings.
- Bake in preheated 375℉ oven for about 45 minutes or until they are golden brown and apples are tender.