A family classic, this Easy Apple Dumpling recipe is made even easier than the original! Crisp, juicy apples are stuffed with a buttery, brown-sugar blend then wrapped up in flaky pastry dough before being baked to a crispy, golden brown. A fall must-have!

Apple Dumpling on a blue and white plate with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a white spoon.


Apple Dumplings

Fall is just around the corner and I bring to you my absolute favorite dessert….this Easy Apple Dumpling Recipe will soon be your’s, as well. Have you gone apple picking yet? Are you wondering….what do I do with all these apples?

I haven’t had a chance to get out to the orchard PLUS, it’s been so gosh darn hot that I really want to chow down on some watermelon, not bake an apple pie. When I do go apple picking I end up picking WAAAAY to many so I have to find all the apple recipes to use them all up.

And since fall apple season is in full force, I’m sharing one of my favorite family heirloom recipes. This Classic Apple Dumpling recipe is one that I grew up with, helping to stuff the apples full of brown sugar, fall spices, and a big dollop of butter before wrapping them up in a homemade pie crust.

We, then, bake them in a brown sugar syrup lightly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg until the apples are tender enough to eat with a spoon. Yes….a spoon, they’re that tender….they’ll literally melt in your mouth.

Ingredients

  • Apples – Crisp, tart apples best for baking are always my choice for this apple dumpling recipe. You want something that will hold together well when baked.
  • Pie Crust – You can use a refrigerated pie crust that rolls out but count on one pie size dough per apple. That can get expensive so we prefer to make a homemade pie crust plus it bakes up butterier and flakier. You can also use crescent roll dough for a lighter texture.
  • Spices – Fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger are heavenly in this recipe. You can also use homemade Apple Pie Spice.
  • Sugar – Brown sugar has molasses which lends a richer flavor.

For the full ingredient list and measurements, see the recipe card at the bottom.

hands with a vegetable peeler removing the skin from an apple into a bowl.

What are Apple Dumplings?

If you never had the chance to try an apple dumpling, you’re in for a real treat. They’re just Baked Apples wrapping in pie crust before being baked in the oven with a syrupy Apple Dumpling sauce.

They’re super easy to make and I’ve even made Apple Dumplings with puff pastry or crescent dough to speed up the process. But, even if you make my homemade flakey pie crust from scratch, they’re still super simple to prepare.

We love our recipe because it’s more of an Amish Apple Dumpling classic than a fussed up dumpling recipe. You can really add any filling you want to the apple but we keep it authentic with just spices, sugar and butter.

Apple Dumplings actually originated in the United Kingdom and we’re really created here in the United States….although, most people associate them with the Pennsylvania Dutch or Amish community’s food customs.

Apple Dumplings baked in a green and white baking dish.

How To Make Apple Dumplings

It’s really easy to make this Apple Dumpling recipe and I can’t believe I don’t make them more often. The recipe below includes the instructions for the apple dumpling crust, too, but you can totally use puff pastry or crescent dough in it’s place.

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and 1/2 cup sugar to combine. Set aside.
  2. In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk the remaining sugar with the water and cinnamon. Bring the mixture to a boil, then turn the heat to low. Simmer until the sugar is dissolved, approximately 5 minutes. Stir in the butter and remove from the heat.
  3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  4. Divide the dough into four equal portions and roll out into a 8-9 inch square.
  5. Place an apple in the center of each square and fill with 1 tablespoon brown sugar spice mixture.
  6. Top each with 1 tablespoon butter. Gently moistened the edges of the square with water and bring up the corners of the dough to the center. Pinch the edges together to seal.
  7. Place the apple dumplings in an ungreased baking dish and transfer to the preheated oven. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the crust begins to turn golden brown. Carefully pour the brown sugar syrup over the apple dumplings and continue baking for an additional 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and the apples are tender.
  8. Remove the apple dumplings from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving with ice cream or whipped cream.

We like to finish off our dumplings with a spoonful of the sweet sauce that accumulates in the bottom of the baking dish, too.

Apple Dumpling being cut into with a spoon.

What apples are best for apple dumplings?

For Baked Apples or other Apple Dumpling type desserts, you want to use a firm apple that will hold up to during the baking process.

Here are our favorite apples for baking:

  • Jonagold
  • Granny Smith Apples
  • Honeycrisp (My personal favorite!)
  • Winesap
  • Pink Lady
  • Braeburn
  • Fuji
  • Gala

These Apple Dumpling are a great make-ahead dessert for Sunday dinners or weekend entertaining. I love to serve them up with a dollop of cinnamon spiced whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Apple dumpling topped with a sprig of mint on a blue and white plate with whipped cream and a gold fork with a white handle.

How To Store Apple Dumplings

Your fruit dumplings are best if served immediately after baking. If you want to make them in advance, you can assemble them and wrap in dough then cover tightly with plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator until ready to bake.

You can make your dumplings up to 3 days in advance. If you do have leftover apple dumplings, you can reheat them in the oven for 10 minutes or until warmed through.

They’re much easier to make than a whole apple pie and you can scale the recipe back to feed just one OR make a big batch to feed a crowd. You can even get creative and stuff them full of candied walnuts, raisins or dried cranberries for an upper level Apple Dumpling recipe similar to our Baked Apples.

More Easy Apple Recipes

Want even more easy fall inspired recipe? Follow us over on Instagram!

Apple dumpling topped with a sprig of mint on a blue and white plate with whipped cream and a gold fork with a white handle.

Get the Recipe: Apple Dumplings Recipe

Yield: 4
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Apple Dumplings are fall's best dessert. Tender baked apples wrapped in a flakey pastry shell in a cinnamon spiked syrup. Easy and so delectable! 
5 from 3 votes
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Ingredients

  • 6 tablespoons butter
  • 4 apples, peeled and cored
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus additional for rolling
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 1/2 sticks butter, cut into 1/2 inch cubes and chilled
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1/4 cup ice water
  • 1 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup water

Equipment

  • 1 baking dish

Instructions 

  • Combine the flour, sugar and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse 4-5 times.
  • Add the butter and pulse until pea sized crumbs form. Slowly stream in the ice water and process the dough until a ball forms, approximately 30 seconds. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Knead the dough until it is completely smooth and the butter is incorporated.
  • Divide the dough into two equal pieces and form into a disk. Wrap each disk in plastic and refrigerate for 1 hour or up to 3 days.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and 1/2 cup sugar to combine. Set aside.
  • In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk the remaining sugar with the water and cinnamon. Bring the mixture to a boil, then turn the heat to low. Simmer until the sugar is dissolved, approximately 5 minutes. Stir in the butter and remove from the heat.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • Divide the dough into four equal portions and roll out into a 8-9 inch square. Place an apple in the center of each square and fill with 1 tablespoon brown sugar spice mixture. Top each with 1 tablespoon butter. Gently moistened the edges of the square with water and bring up the corners of the dough to the center. Pinch the edges together to seal.
  • Place the apple dumplings in an ungreased baking dish and transfer to the oven. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the crust begins to turn golden brown. Carefully pour the brown sugar syrup over the apple dumplings and continue baking for an additional 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and the apples are tender.
  • Remove the apple dumplings from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving with ice cream or whipped cream.

Video

YouTube video

Notes

Apple Dumplings are best served warm soon after baking. Apples can be prepped in advance for parties and baked right before serving.
Calories: 585kcal, Carbohydrates: 115g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Cholesterol: 30mg, Sodium: 607mg, Potassium: 258mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 70g, Vitamin A: 415IU, Vitamin C: 5.6mg, Calcium: 77mg, Iron: 3.1mg
Author: Kellie
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American