The BEST Apple Dumpling Recipe
It’s not quite apple picking time here in Kentucky; but, I visited an orchard last week and it was amazing. Standing right there in the middle of the field of gorgeous apples, my food ideas were flowing on what I could do with each type. My husband’s favorite fruit is an apple; and since he’s allergic to raw apples, my mind was going through what he would love with those cooked ones. Apple cake? Or fried apples? Perhaps apple pie? Nope. I was going to conquer an apple dumpling recipe that would cook them enough for him to eat and yet hold together.
Challenge, I know!
Now, you know that I love “putting up” fresh produce like with the carrot cake jam, freezer corn, fresh herbs or marinara sauce recipes that I have shared. I am always up for creating new recipes with fresh produce and this now included an apple dumpling recipe!
Coal Creek Orchard owners are amazing. With a commercial kitchen at the orchard, I was in love with all of the recipes that she had at her fingertips. They are famous for their fried apple pies and apple fritters that they have available during the Apple Festival. Planning on joining them this year! Check them out on Facebook if you are close by. Seriously! During the year, they take orders for bagels, donuts, breads and many other baked goods. Kristie even has bread making classes. I may have to drive the distance just to learn from her many talents.
We looked through her recipes and had a great visit. But, no apple dumpling recipe was among her recipes.
I was so ready to try some of these great picked apples for a new apple dumpling recipe creation of my own.
Now, you can begin with a puff pastry or make your own pie crust; but, I happened to have pie crust in my fridge that needed to be used.
I am a huge fan of fried apples and have made them for decades. Simply peel, slice and add them to a skillet with butter, brown sugar and cinnamon and cook until they are tender. My husband loves them. But, I digress!
Back to the apple dumpling recipe!
First, set out the pie crust to soften for a few minutes before you begin.
Not your usual way to handle pie crust, but helps when you are shaping it around each apple. I rolled out the pie crust and cut it into 4 squares to wrap around the apples, making sure that the size of the apples would be able to be covered by each square. Save one square to cut out little leaves for the top.
To make certain that the pie crust or puff pastry square will cover your apples, keep in mind the size of your apples!
To insure that the apple would hold it’s shape as much as possible for this recipe, I simply cored them, removing most of the cores and seeds; but, not cutting all the way through the bottom. Remember, that apple needs to hold its contents.
Next, I made a mixture of brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon and fresh grated nutmeg mixed in a small mixing bowl.
In the center of each apple, I added a t of softened butter in the bottom and a T of the sugar mixture.
Before I began wrapping the apples with the pie crust, I made an egg wash.
For the egg wash, simply mix one egg and a T of milk together and set aside.
Next, wrap the pie crust around each apple.
As you wrap each apple, make sure to prevent holes from showing apple through the crust.
It’s now time to make leaves from the pie crust section that you aren’t using to wrap each apple.
If you have those cute little miniature leaf cutters, cut out leaves from the pie crust and add them to the top of the apples with egg wash.
TIP: You can cut the shape of a leaf with a knife if you don’t have the cutters.
Brush the entire apple with egg wash and sprinkle with a bit of sugar.
Before baking, I added a touch of the brown sugar mixture to the leaves.
Next, just follow the baking directions on the apple dumpling recipe!
I baked mine longer (50 minutes) to make certain that the apple was falling apart and the crust was golden.
Use your own judgment on when you think they are still holding their shape and the crust is baked.
Here’s the apple dumpling recipe I created…husband approved! That always makes my heart happy!
Apple Dumplings
Equipment
- oven
- Knife or apple corer
- measuring spoons/cups
- Miniature leaf cookie cutters
Ingredients
- 6 apples Your choice on your favorite type!
- 2 pie crusts home made or refrigerated
- 1/2 C granulated sugar
- 1/4 C brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 t cinnamon
- 1/4 t nutmeg, fresh grated
- 3 T butter, softened
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Set pie crust out a few minutes before beginning to make sure that it is soft enough to wrap around each apple. Cut each crust into 4 sections.
- Select 6 apples that will fit the size of 1/4 of each pie crust.
- Peel apples and cut out the core and seeds leaving the core attached at the bottom so contents will not leak out of the bottom of each apple.
- Make an egg wash by mixing 1 egg and 1 T milk. Set aside until ready to begin.
- Mix together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg in a small mixing bowl.
- Add 1 t. butter to the bottom of the center of each apple and add 1 T sugar mixture on top of the butter.
- Carefully stretch and wrap 1/4 of the pie crust around each apple, making sure to cover. You will have a little bit of an opening in the center of the top.
- Using little cookie cutters or a knife, cut out leaf shapes and add to the top of each apple with egg wash under and on top.
- Brush a little egg wash on the apple (avoid the bottom) and sprinkle with granulated sugar. I also sprinkled the leaves with a bit more of the brown sugar mixture for color and flavor.
- Add the dumplings to a butter greased baking dish, making sure that you keep them separated.
- Bake in a 350 degree oven for 40 minutes or until golden brown and the apple is done.
- Serve with ice cream or whipped cream while warm. Enjoy!
Notes
Here’s the finished apple dumpling!
What do you think? I wish your feet were under my table for this one!
The miniature cookie cutters I used were purchased from William Sonoma many years ago, but I have linked affiliate linked ones similar to them below for your convenience if you’d love to order them…at no additional cost to you, but will help this blog to grow.
I am now off to discover more apple recipes with these apples. Adding grated apples to that zucchini bread recipe is happening next.
How about you? What apple recipes are you looking forward to making? I’d love to know in the comments.
37 Comments
Marie
The little leaves on top are such a sweet touch. They make these dumplings so festive! Glad to hop with you once again ❤
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you, Marie. I love using those little leaf cutters for so many fall touches at the table. Loved hopping with you again, friend!
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Renae
Wow! This is amazing! I don’t think that I have ever had one. It sounds delicious. And it looks oh, so, beautiful!
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you, Renae. They really are good and most importantly, Gary loved them!
Sue at Blu
Leslie, these look delicious! I bought so many apples for this hop that I will definitely be trying this recipe! Thanks!
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you, Sue! I know! I have more apples to use before I lose them. Your apple cobbler is next on the list to try! Loved hopping with you, friend!
Jen
Oh wow, Leslie! My mouth is literally watering looking at your beautiful photos. I can’t wait to try this recipe. Pinned!
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you, Jen! These really are so good. I think the fresh picked apples were a winner, too! Loved hopping with you!
Pam
Sent this recipe to my sister who called me saying it was the best
I am going to try this next week for my other sister when she comes to visit – will shock her because they say I don’t like to cook.
Have a suggestion: love the recipe print out but wish it included a small picture of finished recipe. I print the recipe up and put it in a 3-ring binder. Thank you for sharing your recipes!
Leslie J Watkins
How wonderful! I’m so glad your sister loved it! I’ll work on adding a picture. Great reminder! That’s on my list…Hope you will pin the recipe, too. I love keeping my favorites there, too.
Nicolle
MMMM this looks incredible! Especially on a rainy day like today!
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you…They are so good. Loved hopping with you!
Dee Cottage Comforts Home
Yummy! I love apple dumplings, and this sounds so wonderful! Great job, Leslie Can’t wait till apple picking time!
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you, Dee. I can’t wait until that orchard close to us is open for picking. Working on more recipes to enjoy them! Have a great weekend!
Cindy
Oh my word, do these sound and look delicious! Pinned! Definietly making these for fall!
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you, Cindy. They will be made again this fall. They were so easy and wonderful!
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Jennifer Howard
I’m moving in with you…you make the best looking food!!!
Leslie J Watkins
Hahahahahaha! It was great seeing your face today on the zoom! Come on down any time! I’ll be happy to cook for you…carrot cake jam just came out of the canner!
Carol@Blueskyathome
How pretty and such a great dessert for the fall. The leaf garnish takes the apple dumpling to the next level. Butter and cinnamon are best ingredients for fall.
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you, Carol. And cinnamon always welcomes the fall season for me. These really are wonderful. Hope you’ll give them a try. Loved hopping with you!
Anne
Your recipe looks delicious! I love the leaves on the top. Nice touch!
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you, Anne! I love those little leaf cutters and use them in so many ways. Hope you’ll give these a try! Loved hopping with you!
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Cindy Rust
I’m always so intimidated by apple dumplings. Thanks for the freedom to use store-bought crust! That wouldn’t scare me at all!
Leslie J Watkins
Oh, Cindy! I have learned in my days of creating menus for large events, that opting for ready made items were sometimes a necessity…and often proved easy solutions with the same great results. I do make pie crust from scratch…but, often my readers need an easier option! I’m right there with them, at times. Happy to provide you that freedom, too, friend!
Vickie Ramey
I’ve made these before, but they were NEVER this pretty! My daughter-in-law loves anything made from apples, so these will be made the next time they visit!
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Chloe
Wow! This not only sounds so delicious, it looks so wonderful with those pretty with those pastry leaves!! I will definitly add this one to my fall line up! Saved to my recipes and pinned!!
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you, Chloe. Such an easy and delicious dessert. Thanks for pinning!
Linda Johnston
We sure do loveapples and apple picking. It’s been ages since I mae an appel dumpling! It’s on the dall menu now. Also will be fun if the grands help!
Leslie J Watkins
This has already been a favorite and we are not quite into fall apple picking yet! Looking forward to having it again when those apples are in abundance here. Hope you and your grands love it!
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Tammy
This recipe looks so good. I love apple recipes.
Leslie J Watkins
Thanks, Tammy. It was loved by all! Ready for apple picking at a local orchard to bake more.
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