Baked apple dumplings only call for 8 ingredients and they're easy to make. They're made with apples and pie crust dough, and flavored with aromatic spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon. A hint of vanilla adds another dimension to the flavor of these delicious homemade baked apple dumplings.
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If you're a fan of apple pie you're going to love these dumplings because they offer a similar juicy apple flavor in every tasty mouthful. This dessert is literally everything you know and love about apple pie, but made and served in individual portions.
Rather than having to chop apples, each dumpling includes a whole-cored apple, making the recipe especially quick and easy. Since they need an hour of baking time, I'm sure you can imagine how heavenly the kitchen is going to smell!
Puff pastry apple turnovers and this easy caramel apple dump cake are two more of my favorite apple-flavored desserts to make during the cooler months. Give them a try!
Main Ingredients
So, what ingredients go into this comforting winter dessert as well as the pie crust dough and apples? Here are some of the main ones:
- Apples: The star of the show. It won't surprise you that the main ingredient in baked apple dumplings is apples! Granny Smiths are often my go-to apple for making desserts since they hold their shape well rather than disintegrating, but you can use Gala, Honeycrisp, or any apple you prefer.
- Piecrust dough: To enclose the juicy apples. There are different brands to choose from and they all offer similar results. I like the one from Trader Joe's. You could even make your own dough if you wanted to.
- Spices: These complement the apples. A pinch of each cinnamon and nutmeg will take your dumplings to the next level. Feel free to use other spices if you want. I bet a pinch of allspice would taste good.
- Sugar: For sweetness. You will be using brown sugar inside the apples for a warm, molasses-type taste and then white sugar to make a vanilla sauce. Feel free to use brown or white sugar in either element. Artificial sweeteners would also work.
Instructions Overview
Cut the pastry into 6 equal-sized pieces and then add an apple to each one. Add butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Next, bring the pastry edges up to enclose the apples.
Arrange the dumplings in a greased baking dish. Warm up the white sugar with some butter, water, and vanilla, and then let it simmer for a few minutes. Pour this vanilla sauce over the dumplings and bake for an hour. Bon Appétit!
Common Questions
Whole peeled, cored apples are flavored with spices, wrapped in pastry, and then baked. They're served with vanilla sauce. It's such a simple dessert to prepare but the results are always incredible.
Absolutely! Feel free to use pears in place of apples if you want. All the other ingredients can stay the same. Another idea is to use halved apples (or pears) if you don't want to use a whole apple in each one.
You can bake these from frozen in about half an hour at 350°F. If they're thawed, they should only need about 15 minutes. You don't have to get them piping hot. As long as they're warmed through in the center, they will be good.
You can overcook most things and baked apple dumplings are no exception. This could lead to the pastry burning and/or the apple going mushy. They're done when they're hot in the middle and the pastry is a beautiful golden-brown color.
This recipe makes use of sugar, vanilla, and butter to create a vanilla syrup. This helps add moisture to the dish as well as more flavor. You can also drizzle some flavored syrup on top just before serving if you don't mind a little indulgence!
It’s said that apple dumplings came from Pennsylvania, originating with the Amish. In fact, for the Amish communities, this is often eaten for breakfast. For many though, this is a distinguished dessert that looks cozy yet plates very well.
Any baking apple will be great for apple dumplings, though Granny Smith might just be the best since they stay firmer. You can also use Gala, Honeycrisp, or Jonathan apples depending on what you find though they will come out with less firm of a texture than Granny Smith.
Apple dumplings are easy to make ahead so you can free up your time when guests come. Simply prepare them up to 48 hours ahead and keep in the fridge until you’re ready to bake.
You also have the option of freezing apple dumplings, though they are best when you bake them first before freezing. You will want to put them on a baking sheet to flash-freeze for about 2 hours. Then you can move them into an airtight container or freezer bag to store together.
You can overcook most things and baked apple dumplings are no exception. This could lead to the pastry burning and/or the apple going mushy. They're done when they're hot in the middle and the pastry is a beautiful golden-brown color.
Some people just love the fresh sugary butter mixture poured over the top, but a little bit of vanilla ice cream makes these apple dumplings even more heavenly.
Chopnotch Tips
- Use a pizza cutter or a sharp knife to cut the pastry into squares.
- Substitute another extract for the vanilla if you wish, such as almond extract or orange extract.
- Serve these with extra sauce on top or with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. Can't decide? Use some of each! Another idea is to drizzle over some syrup, either regular syrup or your favorite flavored one.
Baked apple dumplings make a comforting, delicious winter dessert. Fresh apples are enclosed in pastry and baked until tender.
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Recipe
How to Make
Baked Apple Dumplings
Ingredients
- 6 large apples, peeled and cored
- ½ cup unsalted butter, cut into 8 cubes
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 3 cups water
- 2 9-inch pie crust
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 F and grease a baking pan. Unroll the pie crust and cut it into 6 square pieces.
- Place one apple on each square (cored side up). Add one piece of butter inside each apple. Add brown sugar to each apple. Top with cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Bring all pastry corners to the top of each apple and seal them well, place them into the baking pan.
- Add the remaining 2 pieces of butter to a pan and add white sugar, water, and vanilla. Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. Pour over apples.
- Bake for 55-60 minutes. Enjoy with extra sauce on top!
Notes
- Use a pizza cutter or a sharp knife to cut the pastry into squares.
- Substitute another extract for the vanilla if you wish, such as almond extract or orange extract.
- Serve these with extra sauce on top or with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. Can't decide? Use some of each! Another idea is to drizzle over some syrup, either regular syrup or your favorite flavored one.
This is such a comforting winter dessert! Truly like individual pies, perfect for a small family.
Oh my goodness, this sounds amazing!! I love any dessert with apples, so this is perfect for me!!
Oh I love this idea - little mini apple pies for one! These would be such a lovely dessert for a relaxed family dinner - thanks for the recipe.
You’re welcome, Kate. And you right, a perfect family dessert for after dinner. They are even better cuddled up on the couch next to the fire!
I can imagine how wonderful your house smells after making these delicious apple dumplings. I can't wait to make them myself.
I love any kind of apple dessert and this looks amazing. Super comforting.
Same here, Dannii. We pick so many apples and keep them in the garage to feed our apple dessert habits throughout the winter haha.