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Pennsylvania Dutch Apple Dumplings

A cozy, old-fashioned dessert featuring tender pastry wrapped around juicy apples, drenched in a delicious cinnamon-butter syrup.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Dutch
Calories: 300
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Dumplings
  • 4 medium baking apples, peeled and cored Choose firm apples that hold their shape.
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 10 tablespoons cold butter, cut into small cubes Keep the butter very cold for best texture.
  • 1 cup granulated sugar For syrup.
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar For deeper flavor.
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup cold milk
  • 1 cup water or apple cider For the syrup.
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon, total
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 pinch nutmeg or cloves, optional Add for extra flavor.
  • raisins or chopped walnuts, optional
For the Syrup
  • 1 cup water or cider
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 tablespoons cold butter To be stirred in after dissolving.

Method
 

Make the Dough and Syrup
  1. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  2. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  3. Stir in the cold milk just until the dough comes together. Turn it out and gently press into a disk. Chill while prepping the apples.
  4. In a small saucepan, combine water (or cider), granulated sugar, brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and vanilla. Warm until the sugar dissolves, then stir in the butter until glossy. Keep warm.
Prepare the Apples
  1. Peel and core the apples. For larger apples, you can halve them and make smaller dumplings.
  2. Sprinkle the cavity with a bit of sugar and cinnamon. Optionally, add a few raisins or chopped walnuts.
Assemble and Bake
  1. Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces and roll each into a rough square, about 6 to 7 inches across on a floured surface.
  2. Place one apple in the center of each square and dot the core with a little butter. Pull the corners up and pinch to seal the dumpling.
  3. Set the dumplings seam-side up in a greased baking dish and pour the warm syrup around them.
  4. Bake at 375°F for 35 to 45 minutes until the pastry is golden and the syrup is bubbling and slightly thickened. Tent loosely with foil if they brown too quickly.
  5. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving to allow syrup to settle and thicken.

Notes

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. They can be prepped ahead and baked right before serving. Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days.