• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to privacy navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Jo Cooks

Simple - Easy - Comfort

Join my free recipe email club!
Free eBook
  • Recipe Index
  • Cookbooks
    • The Big Book of Jo’s Quick and Easy Meals
    • 30-Minute One-Pot Meals
  • ABOUT JO
  • Contact
  • Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter YouTube
  • Dinner Ideas
  • Instant Pot
  • Slow Cooker
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • One Pot
  • Desserts
Home / Recipes
1 hour 40 minutes
4.52 from 31 votes
22 Comments

Apple Dumplings

Jump to RecipePrint Recipe
  • 118
  • 188
by: Joanna Cismaru
09.15.20
Updated: 09.15.20

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

These incredibly delicious Apple Dumplings are sweet, flaky and drizzled with a tasty syrup. Serve them with a scoop of ice cream for a true comforting experience.

an apple dumpling with a tasty syrup drizzled over it and a scoop of ice cream in white plate

These apple dumplings are the bomb! I could hardly wait to take them out of the oven and sink my teeth into one, not to mention I had to wait to take pictures! It was torture, pure torture!

But now all is good in the world again. I had my apple dumpling with some great vanilla ice cream and now I’m calm again. What can I say? I love my sweets, and apple dumplings are a weakness of mine which is why I don’t make these often.

What are apple dumplings?

An apple dumpling is a pastry filled with apple, cinnamon, and sometimes raisins. The apples are peeled and cored, then placed on a piece of dough. You then add some butter, sugar and cinnamon. Fold the dough over the apples and the dumplings are then baked until tender.

process shots showing how to make dough for apple dumplings, the syrup and how to stuff the apples

Ingredients

Keep scrolling down to the printable recipe card for FULL ingredient amounts and instructions or click the “Jump to Recipe” button at the top of the page!

Crust

  • Dry ingredients – All purpose flour and salt.
  • Wet ingredients – Ice water, shortening, and cold unsalted butter cut into cubes.

Brown sugar syrup

  • Water – To form the liquid base of our sauce.
  • Sugar – Brown sugar to give us those lovely caramel notes.
  • Cinnamon – To boost that all familiar apple pie flavor in our dumplings and create dimension and complexity.
  • Lemon juice – Just a tablespoon will prevent your apples from oxidizing and browning before they find their way into the oven. Lemon juice will also add a bit of tartness, it will be good to keep on hand if using sweeter apples.

Dumplings

  • Apples – Peeled, cut in half and cored.
  • Butter – Unsalted so as to control the sodium content of our dish.
  • Cinnamon – To boost that all familiar apple pie flavor in our dumplings and create dimension and complexity.
  • Sugar – Brown sugar to give us those lovely caramel notes.
process shots showing how to assemble apple dumplings

How to make apple dumplings

Crust

  1. Form the crust: Start by making the crust. Add the flour, salt, butter, shortening to the bowl of your mixer and mix to incorporate. Start adding a little bit of water at a time, and keep adding until the dough starts to come together.
  2. Refrigerate the dough: Dump the dough onto your work surface and divide it into 2 pieces. Wrap each piece of dough in plastic wrap then refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Syrup

  1. Combine the syrup: Add all the syrup ingredients together in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Turn the heat down to a simmer and let the syrup reduce to about half, should take about 8 to 10 minutes.
  2. Prep the apples: Peel the apples, cut them in half and remove the core.

Assembly

  1. Combine the filling: In a small bowl mix together the 3 tbsp of brown sugar with 1 tsp of cinnamon. Take 2 tablespoons of butter, cut it into 8 small pieces and roll each piece in the sugar cinnamon mixture. Place each butter piece in the center of each apple.
  2. Preheat your oven to 425 F degrees.
  3. Cut the crust: On a floured surface, roll out one of the pieces of crust and cut it out into 4 pieces. Each piece of has to be big enough to folder over the apple completely. Fold the crust over the apples, use a bit of water if necessary to wet your finger and run it along the edge of the crust. Pinch off any excess dough.
  4. Assemble the dish: Pour about a ladle of the brown sugar syrup into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Place the apple dumplings in the baking dish and pour the remaining syrup over the apples.
  5. Bake for about 40 minutes or until the apple dumplings are golden brown. Let the dumplings cool for about 5 minutes before serving.

Some tips

  1. Make sure you choose the right apples. You’re looking for an apple with a crisp bite such as; Honeycrisp, Gala, Jonathans, Golden Delicious, or Granny Smith.
  2. Bake it properly! The upper crust needs to be a deep golden-brown!
  3. Wait for the dumplings to cool slightly before serving.
apple dumplings in a baking dish right after taking it out of the oven

How to serve

Now of course if you can eat them just on their own, still pretty yummy, and I’m not here to judge you. Just make sure you take some of that extra syrup from the bottom and pour some over the dumpling.

But if you want to walk on the wild side and you want something that’s orgasmically delicious, then you must eat this with a scoop or two of the best vanilla ice cream you can afford, then drizzle some of that caramel sauce from the bottom of the pan all over the ice cream and enjoy! That’s all I’ve got to say.

an apple dumpling with a tasty syrup drizzled over it in white bowl

Leftovers

Baked apple dumplings will keep at room temperature for up to 2 days, covered loosely with foil or plastic wrap. You can keep them for an additional 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap.

To freeze, wrap the dumplings tightly with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap and store it in the freezer for 3 to 4 months.

Thaw out the apple dumplings in the fridge and then reheat it in a 350 F degree oven for 30 minutes or until warm.

an apple dumpling with a tasty syrup drizzled over it and a scoop of ice cream, and a bite on a fork

Craving more delicious apple recipes? Try these:

  • Apple and Pecan Cinnamon Rolls
  • Chocolate Apple Pie Monkey Bread
  • Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake Bars
  • Apple Pie Taquitos
  • Churro Apple Pie Cookies
  • Apple Cider Donuts
  • Homemade Apple Butter
  • The Best Apple Crisp
  • Pomegranate Cider Mimosas

Looking for more recipes? Follow on… My Newsletter Pinterest Facebook Instagram

an apple dumpling with a tasty syrup drizzled over it and a scoop of ice cream, and a bite on a fork

Apple Dumplings

4.52 from 31 votes
Prep: 30 mins
Cook: 40 mins
Chilling time: 30 mins
Total: 1 hr 40 mins
Author: Joanna Cismaru
Serves: 8
Print Pin Rate
These incredibly delicious Apple Dumplings are sweet, flaky and drizzled with a tasty syrup. Serve them with a scoop of ice cream for a true comforting experience.

Equipment

  • 1-Quart Saucepan
  • Glass Mixing Bowl Set (3 piece)
  • 9×13-inch Casserole Dish

Ingredients

For The Crust

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 10 tbsp butter unsalted, cold and cut into cubes
  • 8 tbsp shortening cold and cut into cubes
  • 6 tbsp ice water or more as needed

For Brown Sugar Syrup

  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 1 cup brown sugar packed
  • 1 tsp cinnamon

For Dumplings

  • 4 medium apples peeled, cut half in and cored
  • 2 tbsp butter unsalted, cut into 8 pieces
  • 3 tbsp brown sugar packed
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

Crust

  • Form the crust: Start by making the crust. Add the flour, salt, butter, shortening to the bowl of your mixer and mix to incorporate. Start adding a little bit of water at a time, and keep adding until the dough starts to come together.
  • Refrigerate the dough: Dump the dough onto your work surface and divide it into 2 pieces. Wrap each piece of dough in plastic wrap then refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Syrup

  • Combine the syrup: Add all the syrup ingredients together in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Turn the heat down to a simmer and let the syrup reduce to about half, should take about 8 to 10 minutes.
  • Prep the apples: Peel the apples, cut them in half and remove the core.

Assemble and Bake

  • Combine the filling: In a small bowl mix together the 3 tbsp of brown sugar with 1 tsp of cinnamon. Take 2 tablespoons of butter, cut it into 8 small pieces and roll each piece in the sugar cinnamon mixture. Place each butter piece in the center of each apple.
  • Preheat your oven to 425 F degrees.
  • Cut the crust: On a floured surface, roll out one of the pieces of crust and cut it out into 4 pieces. Each piece of has to be big enough to folder over the apple completely. Fold the crust over the apples, use a bit of water if necessary to wet your finger and run it along the edge of the crust. Pinch off any excess dough.
  • Assemble the dish: Pour about a ladle of the brown sugar syrup into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Place the apple dumplings in the baking dish and pour the remaining syrup over the apples.
  • Bake for about 40 minutes or until the apple dumplings are golden brown. Let the dumplings cool for about 5 minutes before serving.

Recipe Notes

  1. Baked apple dumplings will keep at room temperature for up to 2 days, covered loosely with foil or plastic wrap. You can keep them for an additional 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap.
  2. To freeze, wrap the dumplings tightly with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap and store it in the freezer for 3 to 4 months.
  3. Thaw out the apple dumplings in the fridge and then reheat it in a 350 F degree oven for 30 minutes or until warm.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1dumplingCalories: 608kcal (30%)Carbohydrates: 81g (27%)Protein: 5g (10%)Fat: 31g (48%)Saturated Fat: 14g (88%)Cholesterol: 46mg (15%)Sodium: 161mg (7%)Potassium: 190mg (5%)Fiber: 4g (17%)Sugar: 41g (46%)Vitamin A: 581IU (12%)Vitamin C: 6mg (7%)Calcium: 50mg (5%)Iron: 3mg (17%)
Course:Dessert
Cuisine:American
Keyword:apple dumpling recipe, apple dumplings, how to make apple dumplings
Tried this recipe? Rate it belowtag @jocooks on instagram and hashtag it #jocooks!

Originally shared Oct 20 2015.

Meet Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

30 recipes from around the world cover.

Never miss a recipe!

Subscribe and get a FREE dinner recipes ebook!

sesame cabbage salad in a large shallow white plate
Previous Post
Sesame Cabbage Salad
chili garlic butter pasta in a large pot with a pair of tongs twirling some up
Next Post
Chili Garlic Butter Pasta

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment & Rate Recipe Cancel reply

Did you make this recipe? Rate it:




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. Elaine Radu says

    March 1, 2021 at 7:54 am

    5 stars
    I used Granny Smith apples and I am here to tell you that a full and complete recipe of Jo’s Apple Dumplings will never, but never, last long enough to store in the freezer because there won’t be any “left-overs”… I tweeked the dumplings slightly: soaked a few raisins and a single 1/2 pecan for each, in the brown sugar syrup prior to assembling. Pressed the raisins into the individual crusts, apple atop the raisins, the half- pecan in the centre of each apple, then the brown sugar filling… then finished according to recipe instructions. For baking, I used a muffin tin with large wells to accommodate the size of each dumpling.. The apple dumplings are sensational.. thankyou once again JO.

    Reply
    • Jo Cooks Team says

      March 1, 2021 at 9:18 am

      That’s what we like to hear!! We are so glad you like the recipe 🙂

      Reply
  2. Heather l says

    October 16, 2020 at 1:15 pm

    Is there a substitute for the shortening?

    Reply
    • jo says

      October 16, 2020 at 1:17 pm

      Butter!

      Reply
  3. Doreen Jones says

    September 16, 2020 at 7:34 am

    sitting here drooling. Oh how I need to make some. I did though laugh at waiting 5 mins. to eat. That smell will drive you crazy and by the time you get to eat you should be shaking. And that first bite, yup Heaven has arrived.

    Reply
    • jo says

      September 16, 2020 at 10:44 am

      Oh do let me know how they turn out. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Nanette Wild says

    November 24, 2018 at 7:05 pm

    5 stars
    Many, many years ago I work on the weekends for Woolworth’s Department store. Every Saturday I would go to the food counter and order an apple dumpling. They served it covered with a vanilla custard and a drizzle of butterscotch. It is still one of my favorite desserts 50 years later. Thanks for giving me a fond memory.

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      November 24, 2018 at 8:30 pm

      I love the idea of serving it with a vanilla custard. Definitely have to try that. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Tim says

    October 25, 2017 at 12:40 pm

    Can I double the recipe in a single batch, or would I need to split everything into two batches?

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      October 27, 2017 at 3:00 pm

      Yes, you could double the recipe all at once, you’d need to baking dishes or a really large one.

      Reply
  6. La Verne says

    October 27, 2015 at 4:28 pm

    These look awesome. I was wondering if they can be put together earlier in the day and then cooked later. Also can they be frozen before cooking?

    Reply
    • jo says

      October 27, 2015 at 4:29 pm

      Oh absolutely, I just wouldn’t pour the syrup over them until ready for baking.

      Reply
    • jo says

      October 27, 2015 at 4:30 pm

      Yes you can also freeze them….without the syrup as well, just cover them up with plastic wrap tightly.

      Reply
    • La Verne says

      November 1, 2015 at 11:34 am

      Made this yesterday morning, kept them in the fridge until later in the afternoon and then cooked them. They were so good. Thanks Jo. Going to make some and freeze them for when time is short and company is coming.

      Reply
      • jo says

        November 1, 2015 at 12:52 pm

        Glad you liked them!! Great idea on freezing them. 🙂

  7. Katalina @ Peas & Peonies says

    October 21, 2015 at 8:40 pm

    5 stars
    I saw this one on Google + and couldn’t wait to see the recipe, these are so much better than just baked apples, that buttery dough looks amazing and the sauce OMG I love it!

    Reply
  8. Nagi@RecipeTinEats says

    October 21, 2015 at 1:34 pm

    5 stars
    Pure torture? Yes, I can imagine it. Welcome back to the land of the living Jo! 😉 You can almost HEAR the extra energy in this post!!!

    I had to pop by and check this out as soon as I saw the recipe, never made anything like this before!

    And YES to making it orgasmically delicious with top notch ice cream….yes yes YES!!! 😉

    Reply
    • jo says

      October 21, 2015 at 2:49 pm

      LOL Ah you crack me up Nagi! You’ve got to try these apple dumplings, they’re really worth all the calories. 🙂

      Reply
  9. Sharon says

    October 21, 2015 at 10:37 am

    I have made apple dumplings with whole apples and filled the centres with mincemeat. Oh so good

    Reply
  10. Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says

    October 21, 2015 at 8:15 am

    5 stars
    I’d never had an apple dumpling until I moved to Knoxville for college. One taste and I was hooked forever. I think this is my all-time favorite dessert. It is a bit fiddly to put them all together but my god, they’re heavenly. Yours look just like I remember!

    Reply
    • jo says

      October 21, 2015 at 8:28 am

      You’re right, they take a bit of time to put together, but so worth it in the end. 🙂

      Reply
  11. Bella B says

    October 20, 2015 at 7:09 pm

    This looks just delicious! My dad loves apple deserts. I try so many things for him. ♡♡

    xoxoBella | http://xoxobella.com

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Joanna Cismaru

Hey there!

I'm Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

Read More…
cover for the big book of jo's quick and easy meals.

My Cookbook

Pre-Order Now: Amazon | Indigo | Barnes & Noble | Indie Bound | Books-A-Million

Never miss a recipe!

Subscribe and get a FREE dinner recipes ebook!

Sign me up

Dinner Recipes

a wooden spoon lifting a salisbury steak out of the skillet

Salisbury Steak

closeup of beef stew in a dutch oven with a ladle inside.

Beef Stew

overhead shot of zucchini lasagna in a baking dish

Zucchini Lasagna

a white bowl full with american goulash and a fork inside stacked on top of an empty bowl

American Goulash (Chop Suey)

two plate with sloppy joes and buns next to a greens salad

Sloppy Joes

beef barley soup in a white bowl with a spoon inside.

Beef Barley Soup

overhead shot of chicken broccoli and rice casserole in a pot

One Pot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

creamy chicken lazone in a skillet garnished with parsley.

Chicken Lazone

Popular Now

a hand dipping a chicken tender in ranch dressing

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

a fork stabbing a garlic butter steak bite in a skillet full of them

Garlic Butter Steak Bites

a prime rib roast sliced on a plate

Prime Rib Roast

side view shot of a cinnamon bun with a bite taken out of it on a plate

Cinnabons Cinnamon Rolls

side view shot of a hand dipping a piece of naan bread into the bowl of chicken tikka masala

Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala

close up of the layers on the homemade croissant

Homemade Croissants

overhead shot of crusty bread loaf

No Knead Bread

side view shot of two halves of a chicken salad sandwich stacked on a plate exposing the centers

The Best Chicken Salad

Jo Cooks...

Flavors from around the world

No matter what household we have all grown up in, there is something that has brought us all together here and that is a love and appreciation of food. Food that is from cultures and cuisines across the world has always been a staple of the blog. I'm excited to bring you all a taste of each corner of the earth, every last bite seasoned to perfection and served up with love - from my kitchen to yours.
moo shu pork in a white bowl with a pair of tongs.

Asian

closeup of italian mac and cheese in a white bowl with a big serving spoon.

Italian

chimichangas on a serving platter on a bed of lettuce garnished with salsa and sour cream.

Mexican

a bunch of crepes folded on a plate.

Romanian

sideview shot of butter chicken on a plate over white rice garnished with parsley

Indian

red lentil hummus in a big black bowl garnished with a bit of smoked paprika.

Middle Eastern

Trending Now

overhead shot of oven baked chicken breasts in a baking dish

Baked Chicken Breast

overhead shot of oven baked chicken thighs in a pan

Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

a whole roast chicken surrounded by potatoes

Roast Chicken

a prime rib roast sliced on a plate

Prime Rib Roast

Browse All
  • Easy Dinners
  • Instant Pot
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • Chicken Recipes
  • Desserts
  • Recipe Index

Featured On

today logo.
huffpost logo.
the washington post logo.
jezebel logo.
countryliving logo.
good housekeeping logo.
lifehack logo.
buzzfeed logo.
mashable logo.
woman's day logo.
health logo.
better homes & gardens logo.
delish logo.
healthline logo.
nbc news logo.
blogloving logo.
university of washington logo.
shape logo.
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter YouTube
  • Recipe Index
  • Cookbooks
  • About Jo
  • Contact
  • visit my other site: Craving Home Cooked
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Statement
© 2021 · All Rights Reserved · Back to Top
Opens in a new window Opens an external site Opens an external site in a new window

Subscribe and get a free dinner recipes ebook!

2291shares
  • 118
  • 1
  • 188