Apple Dumplings

Apple dumplings are a timeless dessert that has been enjoyed for generations. This delectable treat combines tender apples, flaky biscuit dough, and a rich, sweet sauce, making it a perfect dessert for any occasion. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just indulging yourself, apple dumplings never fail to impress. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the process of making the best apple dumplings with simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions.

Ingredients for Apple Dumplings

Here are the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe:

Step-by-Step Directions for Apple Dumplings

Step 1: Preparing the Apples

To begin, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). While the oven is heating up, let’s prepare the apples. Start by peeling and coring the apples. Granny Smith apples are ideal for this recipe because they provide a great balance of tartness, which complements the sweet sauce. Once the apples are peeled and cored, slice them into eight even wedges. If you’re worried about the apple slices browning while you work on the other ingredients, you can cover them in cold water to keep them fresh.

Step 2: Making the Sauce

Next, we’ll prepare the sweet sauce that will give these apple dumplings their rich, caramel-like flavor. In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of water, 3/4 cup of sugar, 1 stick of butter, and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Bring this mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar and melt the butter completely. Once the mixture comes to a boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 3: Preparing the Biscuit Dough

While the sauce is simmering, grab your canned biscuits. We recommend using Pillsbury milk biscuits for this recipe, but any similar brand will work. Cut each biscuit in half lengthwise so that you have 16 pieces.

Take one of the apple slices and wrap it in a piece of biscuit dough, ensuring that the dough overlaps slightly and is pinched together to seal the apple inside. Repeat this process until all of your apple slices are wrapped in the biscuit dough. This step creates a soft, flaky outer layer that perfectly complements the tender apple inside.

Step 4: Assembling the Apple Dumplings

Place the wrapped apple slices into a 9×13-inch baking dish in a single layer. Make sure to leave a little space between each dumpling to ensure even cooking. Once all the dumplings are arranged in the dish, pour the hot sugar-butter sauce you prepared earlier evenly over the top of the dumplings. This sauce will seep into the dough as it bakes, creating a luscious, golden caramel coating.

Step 5: Preparing the Topping

For the finishing touch, mix together 1/4 cup of sugar with 4 tablespoons of ground cinnamon in a small bowl. This cinnamon-sugar mixture will add extra sweetness and a bit of warmth to the dish. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture generously over the top of the dumplings, ensuring that each one gets a good coating.

Step 6: Baking the Apple Dumplings

Now it’s time to bake your apple dumplings. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until the dumplings are golden brown and the sauce is bubbling around the edges. The biscuits will puff up as they bake, creating a flaky and tender outer layer that contrasts beautifully with the soft, baked apples inside.

Step 7: Serving the Apple Dumplings

Once the dumplings are done baking, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. These warm, gooey apple dumplings are best served fresh out of the oven with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. The cold, creamy ice cream melts into the warm dumplings, creating the perfect combination of flavors and textures.