Old Fashioned Apple Dumplings Recipe – An Easy Twist On A Classic Recipe

If you are looking for an old-fashioned apple dumplings recipe that tastes like the ones Grandma used to make you have come to the right place. This dessert is not only comforting and nostalgic it is the perfect sweet treat to make on a cool, crisp autumn day, especially when the apples are being harvested.

However, instead of spending hours in the kitchen like Grandma used to, this recipe is simple and easy to prepare. With just a few steps, you will be enjoying soft and tender apples that are wrapped in pie crust and soaked in an easy to make homemade vanilla sauce.

Although, when you serve it to your family or friends they are going to think that you spent hours making this beautiful looking dessert. And when they take their first bite, they will be even more impressed!

Dumplings are made with tart Granny Smith apples that are seasoned with cinnamon and nutmeg then wrapped in pie crust dough. Then they are put in a baking dish with a delicious sweet, homemade sauce.

Once they go into the oven to bake the aroma of a homemade apple pie will fill your kitchen. Then when the apples become tender and the pie crust browns, you will be ready to enjoy a delicious dessert that will remind you of Grandma and the good old days.

What Type of Apples Make The Best Apple Dumplings

Although Granny Smith apples are the most common choice, you can definitely use other varieties of apples to make old fashioned apple dumplings. However, there are a few apples that are preferred over others.

First you want to make sure the apple is suitable for cooking. Some varieties cannot hold their structure when put into a hot oven and will end up having a mushy, unpleasant texture when baked.

However, there are some ideal apple varieties for this dessert include Granny Smith, Rome, Fuji, Pink Lady, and Honeycrisp apples.

1. Granny Smith

This tart apple is a classic choice for baking because it holds its shape well and has a strong, tart flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients.

2. Rome

Rome apples are a popular choice for apple dumplings due to their firm texture and mildly sweet flavor. These apples hold their shape during baking, which helps the dumplings maintain their structure. 

3. Fuji

This apple is a popular choice for eating fresh, but it can also be used for baking. It has a sweet flavor and a slightly crisp texture.

4. Pink Lady

Pink Lady apples have a bit of tartness and citrus flavor to them. Their firm texture makes them an excellent choice for baking as well.

5. Honeycrisp

Honeycrisp apples are well-known for their crisp, sweet, and juicy flavor. They are another excellent choice for apple dumplings because they will also maintain their shape when baked. However they are a little more expensive than the other varieties.

How To Assemble Your Old Fashioned Apple Dumplings

Although the apple dumplings look like they would be complicated to make, the process is very simple and straightforward.

Once you have your pie crust ready (I use store-bought refrigerator pie crust), place your peeled and cored apple upright on the dough. Then, place one tablespoon of butter in the core of the apple. 

Next, place once tablespoon of brown sugar inside the core of the apple as well. Take another tablespoon of brown sugar and sprinkle that around the base of the apple, onto the pie crust. 

Then sprinkle a pinch of the cinnamon and nutmeg mixture over the apple. The combination of butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg will make the apples gain so much flavor when put in the oven to bake.

Now, take the opposite ends of two corners of the pie crust and lift and join them over the apple. Then pinch to connect the two corners and repeat for the other two corners. Lightly pinch the open gaps of dough along the sides of the apple to seal it in. 

Repeat this for all six apples and place them in a baking dish. Then, they will be ready for the sauce!

Making Homemade Apple Dumplings Sauce 

In a small saucepan add the reserved two tablespoons of butter and add the water, white sugar and vanilla extract. Place the pot over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil. 

Then reduce the heat to a simmer, stirring frequently for 5 minutes. The sauce should thicken as the heat reduces. Carefully pour the sauce over the dumplings in your baking dish. 

Another option is to make this sauce is to replace the water with rum or bourbon. As the apples bake the alcohol will cook off and leave you with a warm, rich and nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweet vanilla sauce.

Old Fashioned Apple Dumplings Recipe

*Specific measurements and complete recipe instructions are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to continue to read the tips and tricks to making this recipe below.

Ingredients

• 1 (14.1 ounce) double pie crust, thawed
• 6 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and cored
• ½ cup butter
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 ½ cups water
• 1 cup white sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400° F (200°C). Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with butter or non-stick cooking spray.

On a lightly floured surface, roll each thawed pie crust dough out into a 24 x 8 inch rectangle. Cut each crust into three 8-inch squares.

Place a peeled and cored apple on each pastry square, with the core opening facing upward.

Slice the butter into 8 equal pieces. Set 2 pieces aside for later use. Then place a slice of butter into the opening of each apple.

Take 1 tablespoon of brown sugar and put it inside the core of each apple. Then sprinkle 1 tablespoon of brown sugar around the base of each apple.

In a small bowl mix the cinnamon and nutmeg together. Then sprinkle the mixture over the apples.

Cover each apple with the pie crust dough by taking one corner up and over the apple and then bring the opposite corner up and over the apple and pinch the two corners together. Repeat with the remaining two corners.

Then slightly pinch the dough at the sides to completely seal the apple in the dough. Place each apple in the prepared baking dish. Set aside.

Old Fashioned Apple Dumpling Sauce Instructions

In a small saucepan add the reserved butter, water, white sugar and vanilla extract and place over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer, stirring frequently for 5 minutes. Carefully pour the sauce over the dumplings.

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes or the tops are golden brown. *If the dough begins to brown too much, cover the top with aluminum foil.

To serve: Place each apple dumpling in a bowl and spoon some of the remaining sauce over the top. Top with vanilla ice cream, if desired.

Serving Suggestions 

To serve, place each apple dumpling in a bowl. Spoon on some of the remaining sweet vanilla sauce over the top of your old-fashioned apple dumplings. 

Top it off with vanilla ice cream, caramel and chopped nuts.  Toasted pecans with a dash of cinnamon would be a great addition as well! 

Enjoy! Mary

Other Great Apple Desserts

• Air Fryer Fried Apples
• Apple Pie Dump Cake
• Easy Apple Crisp

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