Apple Pie Dumplings Recipe for Cozy Dessert Magic

Crisp autumn evenings become magical when apple pie dumplings emerge from your kitchen with incredible aromas.

Buttery pastry wraps around sweet, cinnamon-kissed fruit waiting to surprise you.

Memories of grandma’s classic desserts dance through each delectable bite.

Warm spices mingle with tender apples, creating comfort in every mouthful.

Simple ingredients combine to craft something unexpectedly spectacular.

Soft, golden pockets promise pure delight that beckons everyone to the table.

You’ll want to savor every single crumb of this irresistible treat.

What Complements Apple Pie Dumplings

• A fragrant, creamy chai tea complements the cinnamon and nutmeg in the dumplings, enhancing the warm, cozy flavors with its aromatic spices and smooth texture.
• A smooth bourbon with vanilla undertones mirrors the dessert's sweet profile, creating a rich, indulgent experience that highlights the apple's natural sweetness.
• Creamy maple walnut ice cream adds nutty complexity and cool contrast to the warm, saucy dumplings, providing a delightful temperature and flavor interplay.
• A velvety caramel cream liqueur echoes the dessert's buttery, sweet notes, offering a luxurious adult companion that intensifies the dumpling's rich caramelized essence.

Versions of Apple Pie Dumplings You Can Try

• Gluten-Free Delight: Replace traditional pie crust with gluten-free pastry dough made from almond flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Vegan Version: Swap butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine. Use plant-based pie crust and replace apple cider with organic apple juice. Substitute dairy-based toppings with coconut whipped cream.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener instead of granulated sugar. Select tart apple varieties like Granny Smith to reduce overall sugar content. Replace brown sugar with a sugar-free alternative in the sauce.
• Keto-Friendly Adaptation: Utilize almond flour pie crust. Replace apples with lower-carb options like chayote squash or zucchini. Swap sugar with erythritol or stevia. Use heavy cream instead of apple cider in the sauce.

Apple Pie Dumplings FAQs

• Can I use different types of apples for this recipe?

Yes, you can use various apple varieties like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji. Choose firm, tart apples that hold their shape during baking for the best results.

• Is it possible to make the pie crust from scratch?

Absolutely! Homemade pie crust can elevate the flavor. Use a traditional butter-based recipe or your favorite pie dough formula for a more personalized touch.

• How do I prevent the dumplings from falling apart during baking?

Pinch the edges of the pie crust firmly and ensure a tight seal around the apple. You can also use a fork to crimp the edges for extra security. Avoid overfilling the apple with sugar mixture.

• Can I prepare the dumplings in advance?

Yes, you can assemble the dumplings ahead of time and refrigerate them, covered, for a few hours before baking. Just add the sauce and bake when ready to serve for fresh, warm dumplings.

Why Apple Pie Dumplings Are Satisfying

• Perfect for capturing the essence of comfort baking with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
• Adaptable recipe that works wonderfully for casual family dinners, weekend desserts, or special autumn gatherings with minimal technical skills required.
• Total cooking time hovers around an hour, with actual hands-on work taking just 20-25 minutes, making it an ideal recipe for busy home cooks wanting something spectacular without complex techniques.
• Delivers restaurant-quality presentation and taste using everyday ingredients, guaranteed to impress guests and family members with its rustic, warm apple-cinnamon charm while being incredibly forgiving for novice bakers.

What’s Inside Apple Pie Dumplings

Main Ingredients:

Apples: Crisp and sweet base fruit that provides the core of the dessert. Choose firm baking apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best results.

Pie Crust: Flaky pastry that wraps and protects the apple, creating a delicious outer shell. Homemade or store-bought pie crusts work perfectly.

• Butter, Granulated Sugar, Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Warm spices and sweeteners that enhance the apple's natural flavor. Choose freshly ground spices for maximum aroma.

• Apple Cider, Brown Sugar, Water, Vanilla Extract: Rich liquid mixture that creates a caramel-like sauce for coating and moistening the dumplings. Opt for pure vanilla extract for deeper flavor.

• Vanilla Ice Cream, Heavy Cream: Creamy additions that complement the warm, spiced apple dumpling. Use high-quality, full-fat dairy for best taste.

Instructions for Making Apple Pie Dumplings

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grab a baking dish and give it a quick spray or butter rub to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Prepare Apple Treasures

• Carefully peel each apple
• Remove the core
• Slice apples vertically into perfect halves

Step 3: Roll Out The Pastry Canvas

Sprinkle flour on your workspace. Unroll pie crusts and slice each into four equal triangular sections.

Step 4: Create Delicious Parcels

• Position an apple half in the center of each pastry triangle
• Tuck a small butter chunk into the apple's core cavity
• Mix in a bowl
• Granulated sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Sprinkle the spice mixture over apples
• Gently fold pastry edges over apple, pinching to seal completely

Step 5: Craft A Luscious Sauce

• Apple cider
• Brown sugar
• Water
• Remaining butter

Bring to a rolling boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.

Step 6: Bake To Golden Perfection

Arrange wrapped apples in the prepared baking dish. Pour sauce generously over dumplings. Slide into the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes until pastry turns golden and apples become tender.

Step 7: Serve With Celebration

Let dumplings rest briefly. Ladle extra sauce over each dumpling. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a cream drizzle for extra indulgence.

Apple Pie Dumplings Tips You’ll Appreciate

• Select Fresh Apples: Choose firm, crisp varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that hold their shape during baking and provide a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness.
• Prevent Dough Sticking: Dust your work surface and rolling pin with flour to ensure the pie crust doesn't stick and allows for smooth, easy rolling without tearing.
• Seal Dumplings Tightly: Pinch the pastry edges firmly to create a complete seal, preventing the butter and sugar mixture from leaking during baking and maintaining the dumpling's beautiful shape.
• Create Golden Crust: Brush the pastry with an egg wash (beaten egg + splash of water) before baking to achieve a shiny, golden-brown exterior that looks professionally prepared.
• Customize Flavor Variations: Experiment with different spices like cardamom or ginger, or add chopped nuts inside the dumplings for extra texture and a personalized touch to the classic recipe.

Best Storage for Apple Pie Dumplings

• Store leftover apple pie dumplings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, keeping them fresh and delicious.
• Warm dumplings at 350F for 10-15 minutes, restoring their crispy crust and tender apple filling while maintaining their original flavor.
• Quickly reheat individual dumplings for 30-45 seconds, drizzling extra sauce to prevent dryness and refresh the dessert's moisture.
• Wrap completely cooled dumplings tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 2 months, preserving their delectable taste for later enjoyment.

Apple Pie Dumplings Recipe

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4.8 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Warm cinnamon-spiced apple pie dumplings reveal comfort from grandma’s kitchen, blending buttery pastry with sweet caramel notes. Comfort desserts like these connect families through delicious midwest traditions you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 large apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
• 1 package refrigerated pie crusts (containing two crusts)

Spices and Seasoning:

• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

Liquids and Additional Ingredients:

• ¼ cup unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 cup apple cider or apple juice
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup water

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Instructions

1. Preheat the kitchen oven to a precise 375°F (190°C), then lightly coat a ceramic baking vessel with culinary grease to prevent potential sticking.
2. Transform whole apples into pristine halves by carefully removing their protective skin and extracting the central core, ensuring each fruit segment remains intact and symmetrical.
3. Gently unfurl the delicate pie pastry across a flour-dusted workspace, methodically slicing each round into four equal triangular sections with surgical precision.
4. Position a prepared apple half centrally on each pastry triangle, adorning its hollow core with a delicate butter medallion. Craft a fragrant spice blend by combining granulated crystals with aromatic cinnamon and warm nutmeg, then lovingly dust this mixture across the fruit’s exposed surface.
5. Tenderly embrace each apple with its pastry companion, folding and pinching the edges to create a seamless, protective cocoon that completely conceals the fruity treasure within.
6. Construct a luxurious sauce by harmonizing apple cider, caramel-like brown sugar, pure water, and remaining butter in a gleaming saucepan. Elevate the mixture to a rolling boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely, then gracefully introduce a whisper of vanilla essence.
7. Nestle the wrapped pomme parcels into the prepared baking dish, then cascade the amber sauce generously over their golden surfaces. Slide the creation into the waiting oven, allowing 45-50 minutes of transformative heat to unveil a perfectly caramelized, tender masterpiece.
8. After emerging from the oven, allow the dumplings a brief moment to compose themselves. Ladle additional sauce over each creation, and present alongside a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream or a delicate cream drizzle for the ultimate sensory experience.

Notes

• Choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture and flavor balance in the dumplings.
• Roll pie crust thin to ensure crispy, flaky exterior without becoming too doughy or dense.
• Seal dumpling edges completely to prevent butter and sugar mixture from leaking during baking.
• Customize spice blend by adding ground cardamom or ginger for extra warmth and complexity.
• For gluten-free version, substitute traditional pie crust with almond flour or gluten-free pastry dough.
• Reduce sugar content by using sugar substitute or cutting granulated sugar amount in half for a lighter dessert.
• Make ahead by preparing dumplings and sauce separately, then assembling and baking just before serving to maintain optimal freshness.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg