If you're craving something sweet and comforting, these Rustic Apple Dumplings are just the thing. Perfect for fall, they combine the warm spices of the season with the crisp, tartness of Granny Smith apples. In just a few steps, you’ll have a dessert that feels both homey and special.
Granny Smith apples are chosen for their tartness, which contrasts beautifully with the sweet filling. The brown sugar adds a deep, molasses-like sweetness to the spice filling, which consists of cinnamon for warmth, and a touch of nutmeg, cloves, and allspice for complexity. A pinch of salt enhances all these flavors. The unsalted butter helps to enrich the dumpling and the syrup. Refrigerated pie crusts are a handy shortcut, providing a flaky, tender wrapping. For the syrup, apple cider adds additional apple flavor, while granulated sugar sweetens it and vanilla extract lends an aromatic touch.
These dumplings are delightful on their own, but if you want to take it up a notch, serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. The cold creaminess pairs wonderfully with the warm, spiced apple filling. You could also drizzle them with a bit more of that apple cider syrup for an extra touch of sweetness.
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures your oven is ready to go once your dumplings are prepped. Next, in a bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and salt. This will be your fragrant filling. Cut each apple into halves, carefully scoop out a bit more from the core to create a small cavity, and fill it with the sugar mixture. This way, each bite will have a bit of that sweet-spiced goodness.
Unroll your pie crusts and cut each into quarters. You can gently stretch the dough if needed to fully wrap each apple half. Place an apple half on each piece of dough, wrapping it snugly. If you’ve got a little extra dough, try to seal it well to keep the juices inside. Arrange the wrapped apples in a baking dish, and dot each one with a small piece of butter. This will help the crust to brown and add flavor.
Now, for the syrup: In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat, then stir in the granulated sugar, apple cider, and vanilla extract. Stir until the sugar has dissolved, giving you a smooth, sweet sauce. Pour this over the dumplings in the baking dish. Slide the dish into the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when they’re golden brown and the syrup is bubbling. Let them cool slightly before serving to avoid burning your mouth on hot sugar.
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