Hello everyone, it’s Olivia! As soon as that crisp autumn air starts to roll through Burgundy, my mind immediately drifts to the comforting, cinnamon-spiced smells of my grandmother’s kitchen. And nothing, I mean nothing, says “home” quite like a batch of warm, bubbly, and incredibly easy apple dumplings fresh from the oven. This recipe is a cherished heirloom for a reason. It perfectly balances the sweet, soft apples with a flaky, buttery crust, all swimming in a rich, caramel-like syrup.

Today, I’m so thrilled to share my absolute favorite simple apple dumplings recipe with you. It’s a breeze to throw together, especially with a couple of handy shortcuts. Moreover, it delivers that old-fashioned taste we all love. So, let’s grab our aprons and create a dessert that will have your family begging for seconds!

Why You’ll Love These Easy Apple Dumplings

This recipe holds a special place in my heart because it masterfully blends simplicity with incredible flavor. Furthermore, it uses a few clever kitchen hacks to cut down on preparation time without sacrificing an ounce of that homemade taste. In my opinion, these are the best apple dumplings for a cozy family gathering.

Nostalgia in Every Bite

Baking these homemade apple dumplings always transports me right back to my grandma’s table. The aroma of cinnamon and baked apples is pure, undiluted comfort. Ultimately, this dish is more than dessert. It’s a warm hug on a plate, a taste of tradition that you can easily pass down.

The Ultimate Shortcut Dessert

Let’s be honest, sometimes we just need a spectacular dessert without spending all day in the kitchen. This recipe for quick apple dumplings is your secret weapon. By using a refrigerated pie crust, you get that flaky, tender pastry without any of the fuss. As a result, you can focus on enjoying the process and the people you’re cooking for.

Selecting the Best Ingredients for Your Dumplings

Using high-quality, simple ingredients is the key to making these easy baked apple dumplings truly unforgettable. Each component plays a vital role in creating the final symphony of flavors and textures.

The Star of the Show: Apples

I strongly recommend using Granny Smith apples for this simple apple dumplings recipe. Their bright tartness is the perfect counterpoint to the sweet, spiced syrup. Additionally, they hold their shape beautifully during baking, so you get tender apple wedges, not mushy applesauce.

Building Flavor with Spices and Sugar

The combination of granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and a hint of ground nutmeg is classic for a reason. This trio creates that warm, spiced flavor profile we associate with the best old fashioned apple dumplings. Meanwhile, the brown sugar in the syrup melts into a deep, caramel-like sauce that is absolutely irresistible.

Essential Kitchen Equipment You’ll Need

You don’t need any fancy tools to make this fantastic apple dumpling dessert. In fact, you likely have everything required already in your kitchen drawers. Let’s get your workspace ready!

Baking and Prep Tools

A standard 9×13 inch baking dish is ideal for this recipe. It gives the dumplings enough space to bake evenly. You’ll also need a good vegetable peeler and a sharp paring knife for coring and slicing the apples. A rolling pin can be handy if you need to gently roll out the pie crust sheets a bit thinner.

For the Simple Syrup

A medium saucepan is perfect for preparing the apple dumplings with sauce. You want a pan with a heavy bottom to encourage even heating and prevent the sugar from scorching. A wooden spoon or a whisk is great for stirring the syrup until the sugar fully dissolves.

Prepping Your Apples and Dough

Preparation is the first step to creating these amazing cinnamon apple dumplings. Taking a few minutes to get everything ready makes the assembly process smooth and enjoyable.

Handling the Pie Crust

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing your baking dish. Then, unroll your refrigerated pie crusts. If you’re looking for other incredible desserts that start with simple bases, you must try our fantastic churro cheesecake recipe. Cut each crust into four equal squares, which will give you eight perfect portions for your dumplings.

Preparing the Apple Filling

Peel and core your apples thoroughly. Next, slice each apple into eight even wedges. This size is ideal for wrapping inside the pastry. In a small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This spiced sugar mixture is what will season each apple wedge perfectly.

Assembling Your Apple Dumplings

This is where the magic happens and your homemade apple dumplings really start to take shape. Don’t worry about making them look perfect. They bake up beautifully no matter what!

Filling and Wrapping Techniques

Place one apple wedge in the center of each pie crust square. Sprinkle the spiced sugar mixture evenly over each apple. Then, dot each one with small pieces of cold, unsalted butter. This butter will melt into the apples and crust, adding incredible richness.

Creating the Perfect Bundle

Gently bring the corners of the pastry square up and over the apple, pressing the edges firmly together to seal the bundle. You can pinch the seams to make sure they stay closed during baking. Place each dumpling seam-side up in your prepared baking dish. This helps keep them from unfolding.

Making the Irresistible Syrup

The syrup is what transforms these from simple pastries into an decadent apple dumpling dessert. It seeps into the pastry and bubbles around the apples, creating something truly special.

Combining Syrup Ingredients

In your saucepan, combine the packed brown sugar, vanilla extract, and water. The vanilla adds a wonderful depth of aroma and flavor that makes the syrup taste so much more complex. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring consistently until the sugar has completely dissolved.

Pouring for Maximum Flavor

Once your syrup is ready, carefully pour it around the dumplings in the baking dish. Aim for the syrup to come about halfway up the sides of the dumplings. Try to avoid pouring it directly over the tops so the pastry can still get crispy and golden brown. The syrup will thicken magnificently as it bakes.

Baking Your Dumplings to Golden Perfection

Now comes the hardest part: waiting while your kitchen fills with the most incredible aroma. Baking is the final step in creating these easy baked apple dumplings.

Oven Time and Temperature

Bake the dumplings for 35 to 40 minutes at 350°F. You’ll know they’re done when the pastry is a beautiful golden brown and a knife inserted into an apple wedge slides in easily. The syrup will be thick, bubbly, and deeply caramelized around the edges of the pan. If you love baked fruit desserts, you should also check out our celebrated NYT original plum torte.

The Importance of Resting

Once out of the oven, resist the urge to immediately dig in! Let the dumplings cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. This allows the syrup to thicken up a bit more and the apples to set, so you get the perfect texture when you serve them. This rest time is crucial for the best experience.

Easy Vanilla Apple Dumplings

Make incredibly easy apple dumplings with tender, baked apples wrapped in flaky pie crust and drizzled with a sweet vanilla cinnamon syrup. Perfect warm dessert.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

15 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 8 dumplings

Calories 420 kcal

Equipment

• 9x13-inch baking dish
• oven
• knife
• cutting board
• small bowl
• medium saucepan
• measuring cups
• measuring spoons

Ingredients

  

Dough & Filling

• 2 sheets refrigerated pie crust
• 4 medium Granny Smith apples
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter

Syrup

• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups water

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Unroll the pie crusts and cut each into 4 equal squares, resulting in 8 total squares.
• Peel and core the apples, then cut each apple into 8 wedges. Place one apple wedge in the center of each pie crust square.
• In a small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the apple wedges on each crust square.
• Dot each apple with small pieces of the unsalted butter, using about 3/4 tablespoon per dumpling. Carefully fold the corners of the pie crust squares up over the apples, pressing the edges to seal and creating a bundle.
• Arrange the dumplings seam-side up in the prepared baking dish. In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar, vanilla extract, and water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely.
• Pour the hot sugar syrup carefully around the dumplings in the baking dish, avoiding pouring directly over the tops. The syrup should come about halfway up the sides of the dumplings.
• Bake for 35-40 minutes until the pastry is golden brown and the apples are tender when pierced with a knife. The syrup will bubble and thicken during baking.
• Remove from oven and let cool for 15 minutes before serving. The dumplings are best served warm with the syrup spooned over the top.

Notes

The dumplings are best served warm with the syrup spooned over the top.

Keyword apple dumplings, baked apples, easy dessert

Serving and Enjoying Your Creation

Now for the best part: serving and eating your magnificent southern apple dumplings! This dessert is wonderfully versatile and pairs beautifully with so many things.

Classic Pairings and Toppings

Serve these dumplings warm, spooning that delicious extra syrup from the pan over the top. A scoop of vanilla ice cream is the classic, non-negotiable pairing. The cold, creamy ice cream melting into the warm pastry and syrup is pure heaven. A dollop of freshly whipped cream is another fantastic option.

Making it a Special occasion

This dessert is perfect for weeknights but special enough for holidays and company. For a full dessert spread, pair it with other easy favorites like these fudgy chewy brownies or these irresistible peanut butter bars. Ultimately, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will have everyone asking for the recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions

A Final Thought from Olivia

I truly hope this recipe for easy apple dumplings becomes a cherished favorite in your home, just as it is in mine. It’s a beautiful reminder that the most satisfying desserts don’t have to be complicated. They simply need to be made with love and enjoyed with those we care about. So, from my Burgundy kitchen to yours, happy baking! Don’t forget to explore Mac Recipes for more inspiration on your next cooking adventure.