Apple Dumplings (Baked without Sauce)

Warm and sweet-tasting apple desserts topped with sugary sweet syrup make a savory fruit dessert to enjoy. Apple dumplings are classic apple desserts that are comforting and incredibly delicious and infused with warm, spicy, and sweet flavors. 

Apple Dumpling

Apple dumpling is a classic and traditional American dessert. Many American diners often offer apple dumpling as a staple dessert or even a breakfast dish that is often served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and topped with a sweet sauce.

Apple dumplings are a pastry apple dessert. The traditional dumplings are generally dome-shaped baked pastry desserts that consist of apple filling and are then topped with a sweet sugar sauce that is baked. Apple dumplings can be different shapes instead of the classic round dome shaped. The dough can be wrapped in various ways, such as rectangular or square, or it can be made as crescent rolls. 

Apples 

Firm apples are the best option for apple dumplings. These types of apples are ideal so that the apples do not crumble when baking. Apple types such as Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, and Honeycrisp are great options for using in an apple dumpling recipe. For this recipe, I used Gala apples. These types of apples are known to be great for apple dumplings because of their texture that often holds well during the baking process. 

Homemade or Store-Bought Pie Crust 

Apple dumpling dough can be made from scratch or can be bought at supermarkets. Store-bought pie crust can be more convenient, saving time from making the dough from scratch. This is also helpful for those who may not care to make dough from scratch and have the pie crust readily available to make apple dumplings, cutting down on the prepping and cooking time. In addition, this is great for beginner bakers that may not be accomplished yet at making dough. On the other hand, making the dough from scratch can require more time and a certain skill level at making dough, but it does give the individual full control over the dough's texture and flavor. Making the dough can also be a creative process enjoyed by many bakers. 

I have made apple dumplings from scratch and with store-bought pie crust. For store-bought pie crust, I have used ready-to-bake pie crusts, which work great and are more convenient for a quicker option. The quality and flavor of the apple dumplings from store-bought pie crust taste delicious. Though the brand of the pie crust could also affect the quality and results of the apple dumplings. Making the apple dumpling pie crust from scratch does require more ingredients and time commitment, but there is more control over the dough-making process, which is something that I do like when I have extra time. For these apple dumplings, I made the dough from scratch. The process was not challenging but did require more time to make the dough. 

Apple Dumplings (Baked without Sauce) Prepping and Cooking Apple Dumplings with a Twist

Apples are generally peeled and cored prior to making apple dumplings. This is the most common and traditional method for many people. I opted not to peel the apples. This provides a slight hint of flavor from the baked apple skin. Rather than coring the apples, I cut and removed the top part of the apple. This is so I could add brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter inside of each apple. This is optional and a twist on making apple dumplings that provides additional flavor to the apples. 

Traditionally, apple dumplings are baked with sweet sauce but can also be baked without the sauce if desired. For this apple dumpling recipe, I opted to bake without the sauce. Baking the apple dumplings without the sauce can help the apple dumplings from getting mushy. This is more of a preference but can help the apples from being over-moist when baking. The sweet sauce can be poured onto the baked apple dumpling after they have been slightly cooled.

Apple Dumpling Sweet Sauce 

Apple dumplings can be served without the sweet sauce, though the dumplings may lack the additional sweet flavor that could be bland tasting. Apple dumpling sauce is generally made from sugar, butter, water, and cinnamon. Different warm spices can also be used for this sauce, such as allspice and nutmeg. For this sweet sauce, I combined brown sugar, butter, water, nutmeg, and cinnamon. This was a flavorful sweet apple dumpling sweet sauce. 

Apple Dumplings Ingredients 

Apples: The essential ingredient for apple dumpling. Crunchy with a sweet and tangy flavor. Alternative: Green apples.  

Flour: The main ingredient for dough that consists of a neutral and mild flavor.  

Butter: (Unsalted Butter) Creamy and mild flavor. Unsalted butter adds a buttery richness and provides structure to the dough mixture. 

Vegetable Oil: A common oil for baking that has a slight mild flavor. Alternative: canola oil.  

Water: A vital ingredient for the dough process. This helps the consistency of the dough.  

Salt: A common ingredient that adds a salty flavor to the dough process. 

Egg: Eggs are used to make egg wash, which provides a nice glaze over the apple dumplings. This provides a glossy golden brown and can add a hint of egg flavor. 

Brown Sugar: Sweet and slight caramel flavor that is the base ingredient for this apple dumpling sweet sauce. Alternatives: coconut sugar or palm sugar.  

Ground Cinnamon: a unique blend of woody, spicy, and sweet warm flavor that adds much flavor to the sweet sauce.  

Nutmeg: This spice adds a blend of earthy, warm, and a hint of sweetness to the sauce. Alternative: allspice or pumpkin pie spice. 

Apple Dumpling Instructions

Dough 

1. In a bowl, add the flour, butter, vegetable oil, warm water, and salt. 
2. Combine the ingredients. 
3. Combine until the mixture forms a dough. 

Apples

1. Cut the top part of the apples. Scoop out the insides of the apples.
2. Add pieces of butter to each apple.
3. Add brown sugar and cinnamon to each apple.

Dough and Apples 

1. Remove a small, smooth ball section of the dough. 
   
2. Using a rolling pin, gently roll and flatten the dough to a circular shape. 
   
3. Add the apple to the middle of the circular-shaped dough section. 
   
4. Take a section of each dough and fold it over each section of the apple until the apple is completely covered by the dough.
5. Add one piece of dough to the top of the apple.
6. Add another piece of dough, creating a small crisscross on the top of the apple. Repeat for each apple. 

Egg Wash

In a bowl, mix one egg, then lightly brush the apple dumplings. (This adds color to the baked apple dumplings.)

Bake

In a baking dish, add aluminum foil, then the apple dumplings. Then add the apple dumplings to the oven. Bake the apple dumplings at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until the apple dumplings are golden brown.

Baked Light Golden-Brown Apple Dumplings

Sauce

1. In a saucepan, add the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, butter, and water.
2. Cook on low heat for 5 minutes or until the ingredients have dissolved and combined.

Apple Dumpling with Sauce

Once the apple dumplings are cool, top the apple dumplings with sauce. 

Storage 

Baked apple dumplings should be cool prior to storage. At room temperature, apple dumplings can be stored in an airtight container. They can also be stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Airtight containers or freezer bags are options for freezer storage. Unbaked apple dumplings can also be frozen to be baked at another time.

Thoughts

Apple dumplings are a classic American dessert that is a traditional apple dish that many people make every year. Though apple dumplings are often associated with the fall and winter seasons, they can also be enjoyed year-round with a side of vanilla ice cream. Apple dumpling is an apple dessert that I enjoy warm with a scoop of ice cream. The natural flavor of the apple and the combination of sweet warm flavors make this comforting apple fruit dessert a filling and savory dish to enjoy.

Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 apples
• 3 cups flour
• 2 sticks butter
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 5 tablespoons warm water
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 egg

Sauce

• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons water

Instructions 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 

Dough. In a bowl, add the flour, butter, vegetable oil, warm water, and salt. Combine the ingredients until dough forms. 

Apples. Cut the top part of the apples. Scoop out the insides of the apples. Add small pieces of butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon to each apple. 

Dough and apples. Remove a small section of the dough (about 5-7 inches). Using a rolling pin, gently roll and flatten the dough to a circular shape. Add the apple to the middle of the circular-shaped dough section. Take a section of each dough and fold it over each section of the apple until the apple is completely covered by the dough. Add two pieces of dough (about 2-3 inches) to create a crisscross shape for the top of the apple. Add one piece of dough to the top of the apple, then another piece on top, creating a small crisscross on the top of the apple. Repeat for each apple. 

Egg Wash. In a bowl, mix one egg, then lightly brush the apple dumplings. 

Bake. Bake the apple dumplings for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until the apple dumplings are golden brown. 

Sauce. In a saucepan, add the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, butter, and water. Cook on low heat for 5 minutes or until the ingredients have dissolved and combined. Once the apple dumplings have cooled, top the apple dumplings with sauce.