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big pan of apple dumplings
Created by: Lynette Rice

Apple Dumplings Recipe


Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 17 minutes
Servings 16 dumplings
16 dumplings
If you're craving a hearty dessert try this recipe for old-fashioned baked apple dumplings. The dumplings are made with fresh apples and spices wrapped in a homemade flaky crust.

Ingredients
  

Pie Dough

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups shortening chilled
  • 1 Tablespoon vinegar
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup water

Apple Filling

  • 6 large apples
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 16 teaspoons granulated sugar
  • 8 teaspoons light brown sugar
  • 4 Tablespoons butter

Instructions

To Make the Pie Crust:

  • In a large bowl, add the following: flour, sugar, and salt.  Blend together with a whisk. Using a pastry cutter, cut in 1 and ½ cups of chilled shortening. Shortening and flour should be well distributed.
  • Crack an egg (cold from the refrigerator) into ½ cup of cold water. Add 1 Tablespoon of vinegar and mix well with a fork. Make a dip in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the egg/water mixture.  Stir with a fork gently to blend wet and dry ingredients until just moistened and the dough leaves the side of the bowl.
  • Roll the pie dough flat and divide it into eight 6 1/2-inch squares.

To Make the Apple Dumplings:

  • Preheat oven to 450˚ F. Prepare pie crust by rolling and cutting into 6½-inch squares.  Peel and slice apples into 1/2-inch squares.
  • On each square of piecrust place apple chunks in the middle. Top with ¼ pat of butter, 2 heaping teaspoons of sugar, 1 teaspoon of brown sugar, and a dash of cinnamon to taste. Fold up sides and pinch to seal.
  • Place apple dumplings into two square microwave-safe baking pans (4 in each). Top each dumpling with ¼ pat of butter. Sprinkle additional sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon over all dumplings. Repeat the process until you have one dish with four apple dumplings.
  • Microwave pan of dumplings at (1100 power microwave) for 5 minutes at 70% power followed by 1½ minutes at 80% power.  Remove from microwave and bake for about 10 minutes in a 450˚ F oven. The crust should be lightly browned and the apple dumpling juices sizzling.

Notes

Keep the shortening cold: As with any pie crust recipe, you'll want to make sure your shortening is very cold before starting. In this recipe, we used Crisco so I made sure to put it in the refrigerator a few hours before making the crust.
Flakier Crust: You can also ensure a more flaky crust by using half pastry flour and half all-purpose flour. If you don't have pastry flour, that's okay as I didn't the day I made this recipe. However, for those flaky crust loving people - it's worth the investment.
Make Ahead: Make the pie crust the day before and cut it into squares.  The squares can be separated by wax paper or parchment paper in an airtight container and then stored in the refrigerator.  Make this pie crust recipe weeks in advance and freeze the squares.  Just make sure to put them in a storage bag once they are separated by wax paper.  Thaw before using them in this recipe. 
Refrigerate: If you find yourself with leftover apple dumplings from this old-fashioned apple dumpling recipe, simply wrap them up and store them in the refrigerator. They'll keep well for 1-3 days.
Freeze: For longer storage, you can freeze the apple dumplings. Just place each dumpling individually in an airtight container and pop them in the freezer. When you're ready to enjoy them again, let them thaw in the refrigerator.
Reheat: To bring your apple dumplings back to their golden brown, flaky crust glory, reheat them in the microwave. Just 20-30 seconds should do the trick, or until they're warm.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5apple dumpling | Calories: 374kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 175mg | Potassium: 114mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 140IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 2mg

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