Description
Classic Apple Dumplings baked to golden perfection, featuring tender apples wrapped in a buttery dough and smothered with a sweet cinnamon-brown sugar sauce. This comforting dessert is perfect for cozy evenings and is best served warm with vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (267 grams)
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2/3 cup salted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup 2% milk (4 ounces)
Filling
- 6 apples (peeled and cored)
Sauce
- 2 cups brown sugar (400 grams)
- 2 cups water (16 ounces)
- 1/4 cup salted butter (2 ounces)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Make the dough: In a medium-size bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix these dry ingredients well to ensure even distribution.
- Incorporate butter and milk: Mix the softened salted butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture is crumbly. Then add the 2% milk and mix just until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the dough tender.
- Divide the dough: Separate the dough evenly into 6 balls to prepare for wrapping around the apples.
- Assemble the dumplings: On a floured surface, roll out each dough ball into a circle large enough to encase one apple. Place a peeled and cored apple in the center of each dough piece.
- Wrap the apples: Fold the dough around each apple, pressing the edges together to seal and form a ball-shaped dumpling, ensuring the apple is fully encased in dough.
- Prepare baking pan: Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking, and arrange the dumplings evenly in the pan.
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350º Fahrenheit to prepare for baking.
- Prepare the sauce: In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine brown sugar, water, salted butter, and ground cinnamon. Stir frequently and heat until the mixture barely starts boiling to dissolve the sugar and blend flavors.
- Pour sauce over dumplings: Carefully pour the hot brown sugar sauce evenly over each dumpling in the baking dish.
- Bake the dumplings: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30-40 minutes or until the apples are soft and the dough is a beautiful golden brown. Optionally, baste the dumplings with the syrup a few times during baking to enhance moisture and flavor.
- Serve warm: Remove from oven and serve the apple dumplings warm, ideally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert experience.
Notes
- Peel and core the apples thoroughly to ensure even cooking and ease of eating.
- Use cooking spray or butter to lightly grease the baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Basting with the syrup during baking helps keep the dumplings moist and flavorful.
- For a variation, sprinkle some nutmeg or cloves in the sauce for added spice.
- Serve immediately for the best texture and warmth.
