Old-Fashioned Apple Dumplings

These homemade apple dumplings wrap whole apples in a tender, buttery pastry and bake them in a warm cinnamon-vanilla sauce. As they bake, the apples become soft and perfectly spiced while the sauce thickens around the golden pastry.

Serve the dumplings warm from the oven on their own or add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra-cozy fall dessert.

Prep time: 35 minutes
Bake time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Yield: 6 apple dumplings

Ingredients

For the Cinnamon-Vanilla Sauce

• 2 cups water

• 1¼ cups granulated sugar

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Pastry

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ⅔ cup butter, softened

• ⅓–½ cup milk, added gradually

For the Apples

• 6 medium baking apples

• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

• 1 tablespoon brown sugar

• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions

Prepare the Sauce

1. Combine the water, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla in a medium saucepan.

2. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.

3. Reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Remove the sauce from the heat and set it aside to cool slightly.

Prepare the Apples

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

2. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.

3. Peel and core the apples, keeping each apple whole. Set them aside.

Make the Pastry

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt.

2. Add the softened butter and work it into the flour until the mixture is evenly combined and crumbly.

3. Add the milk a few tablespoons at a time, mixing gently, until a soft dough forms. Use only as much milk as needed for the dough to hold together.

4. Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and roll it into an approximately 12-by-18-inch rectangle.

5. Cut the dough into 6 equal pieces.

Assemble the Dumplings

1. In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

2. Roll each apple in the sugar and spice mixture until lightly coated.

3. Place one apple in the center of each piece of dough.

4. Bring the dough up around the apple. Pinch the edges together firmly to completely enclose the apple and form a sealed pastry bundle.

5. Arrange the wrapped apples in the prepared baking dish.

6. Slowly pour the prepared cinnamon-vanilla sauce over and around the dumplings.

Bake

1. Bake at 350°F for approximately 1 hour, or until the apples are tender and the pastry is golden brown.

2. Spoon some of the warm sauce from the baking dish over each dumpling before serving.

Serving Suggestions

These apple dumplings are especially delicious served warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. For even more cinnamon flavor, sprinkle a little cinnamon sugar over the top just before serving.

Recipe Notes

• Choose firm baking apples that will soften without completely falling apart. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Jonathan, or Braeburn apples are all good options.

• Medium or slightly smaller apples are easiest to completely enclose in the pastry.

• If the pastry feels dry, add another tablespoon of milk. If it becomes sticky, dust it lightly with flour.

• Store leftover dumplings covered in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave or warm them in the oven before serving.