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Apples Desserts Pies
4.5 from 32 votes

Apple Dumplings

Jump to RecipePrintRate
By: Joanna Cismaru •10/2/22 22 Comments

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

Apple Dumplings Recipe

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
  • Pomegranate Cider Mimosas

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

an apple dumpling with a tasty syrup drizzled over it and a scoop of ice cream, and a bite on a fork
Print
4.54 from 32 votes

Apple Dumplings

Prep 30 minutes
Chilling time 30 minutes
Cook 40 minutes
Total 1 hour 40 minutes
Rate Recipe
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.
8

Ingredients

For The Crust

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 10 tablespoon butter (unsalted, cold and cut into cubes)
  • 8 tablespoon shortening (cold and cut into cubes)
  • 6 tablespoon ice water (or more as needed)

For Brown Sugar Syrup

  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

For Dumplings

  • 4 medium apples (peeled, cut half in and cored)
  • 2 tablespoon butter (unsalted, cut into 8 pieces)
  • 3 tablespoon brown sugar (packed)
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

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.

Equipment

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

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%)
© Author Joanna Cismaru

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

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

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Originally shared Oct 20 2015.

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Home Recipes
Joanna Cismaru

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.

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22 Comments
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Elaine Radu
Elaine Radu
Posted: 1 year ago

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.

0
Reply
Jo Cooks Team
Jo Cooks Team
Reply to  Elaine Radu
Posted: 1 year ago

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

0
Reply
Heather l
Heather l
Posted: 2 years ago

Is there a substitute for the shortening?

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Heather l
Posted: 2 years ago

Butter!

0
Reply
Doreen Jones
Doreen Jones
Posted: 2 years ago

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.

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Doreen Jones
Posted: 2 years ago

Oh do let me know how they turn out. 🙂

0
Reply
Nanette Wild
Nanette Wild
Posted: 4 years ago

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.

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Nanette Wild
Posted: 4 years ago

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

0
Reply
Tim
Tim
Posted: 5 years ago

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

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Tim
Posted: 5 years ago

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

0
Reply
La Verne
La Verne
Posted: 7 years ago

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?

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  La Verne
Posted: 7 years ago

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

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  La Verne
Posted: 7 years ago

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

0
Reply
La Verne
La Verne
Reply to  La Verne
Posted: 7 years ago

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.

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  La Verne
Posted: 7 years ago

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

0
Reply
Katalina @ Peas & Peonies
Katalina @ Peas & Peonies
Posted: 7 years ago

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!

0
Reply
Nagi@RecipeTinEats
Nagi@RecipeTinEats
Posted: 7 years ago

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!!! 😉

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Nagi@RecipeTinEats
Posted: 7 years ago

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

0
Reply
Sharon
Sharon
Posted: 7 years ago

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

0
Reply
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef
Posted: 7 years ago

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!

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Maureen | Orgasmic Chef
Posted: 7 years ago

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

0
Reply
Bella B
Bella B
Posted: 7 years ago

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

xoxoBella | http://xoxobella.com

0
Reply

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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
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