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Baked apples filled with cinnamon and pecans wrapped in flaky pie crust and drizzled with a rich cinnamon sauce. A delicious Fall dessert that stands on it owns, but a scoop of vanilla ice cream wouldn’t hurt!

September 17th is National Apple Dumpling Day, so I thought I’d celebrate with this delicious Apple Dumpling Recipe! 

Do you really believe that? I’m not that organized…EVER! (Just ask the laundry that has been washed three times cause I can’t remember to put it in the dryer!)  The truth is… that a few weeks ago I was busy in the kitchen whipping up a few Fall Recipes.

One recipe I really wanted to tackle this year was Apple Dumplings. I’d never made real honest to goodness Old-Fashioned Apple Dumplings before! I’ve made the crescent version with mountain dew…but I wanted to make a batch of Country apple dumpling from scratch with pie dough. 

There’s just something so cozy about crisp autumn apples wrapped up in a homemade pie crust and baked to a golden crisp sitting on top of a pool of warm cinnamon sauce.

When I think of a true Fall Harvest Dessert… Baked Apple Dumplings come to the forefront of my mind! (Let’s be honest here…dessert is ALWAYS on the forefront of my mind…sitting there right next to the homemade rolls!) 

So… Let’s get baking!

How To Make Apple Dumplings 

This recipe begins with the delicious nutty spiced filling that will go in the center of each apple. In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of softened butter, 1/2 cup of packed brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1/4 cup finely chopped toasted pecans or walnuts. 

TIP: To toast pecans or walnuts place in a small non-stick skillet over medium heat, constantly stirring until a nutty aroma begins to fill the air and the nuts slightly change color. Remove from heat immediately and place in a bowl or paper plate to cool.

Using a fork, mix all the filling ingredients until well combined and crumbly. Set aside as you prepare the apples.

You can use any variety of apple for Apple Dumplings, but in my humble opinion, there are definitely some apples that are better for baking than others.

My “go-to” baking apple is always Granny Smith! They’re a nice firm apple with just the right amount of “tart” to offset the sweetness of the brown sugar in this recipe. My advice is to use any variety of “tart, firm” apple you can find in season. They’re truly best for baking.

Wash and peel apples of your choice. Cut each apple in half and remove the core from each half to create a nice little center to hold the cinnamon brown sugar nutty filling. I know it looks like I took a year worth of 2020 frustrations out on those centers! I couldn’t find my apple corer…so I just hacked away with a knife. It’s okay…they are going to be snuggled up inside the pie crust any way. 

Cut a thin sliver off the bottom of each apple, so they can lay flat during baking. (I wish I could cut a few slivers off my backside, so I lay flat…but then I’d just eat apple dumplings!) 

For the pie crust, you have two options! You can use store-bought boxed pie crusts. Which is fine. No judgments here.

Unroll one of the dough sheets onto a floured work surface, I love to use my “dough disc”. It’s one of my favorite kitchen tools and is used weekly at this Nest.

I’ll link to it below in my recipe card. Stop by and check it out! It’s truly life changing when it comes to working with dough of all types.

Pull on the sides of the dough to straighten the rounded edges, roll it into approximately a 12-inch square. Cut the dough into four 6 inch squares.

The second option is to use my Traditional Pie Crust Recipe and double it for two crusts, just like a double crusted pie. Once the crust is made, roll it into a large circle and trim it to a 12-inch square. Then cut the dough into four 6 inch squares, the same steps used with the store-bought ready crust. 

TIP: Use a pizza cutter to trim pie crust into squares. It makes cutting much easier and prevents the pie dough from tearing.

Lay each apple in the center of each 6 inch pie dough square, core side up and that flat slivered bottom down. Spoon a portion of the cinnamon nut mixture you set aside, into each hallowed-out apple core.

In a small bowl, whisk one egg white until frothy. Using a pastry brush, brush the perimeter of each square with egg white. 

Bring the 4 corners of dough up around the apple and pinch the edges to seal. 

TIP: You may need to gently pull the dough to cover the apple. Bring up opposite sides rather than the sides next to each other. Pinch the very top after all the corners have come together.

Place the dumplings on a large baking sheet covered with parchment paper. 

This next step is totally optional! I love to decorate with pie dough. It’s like “play dough” therapy for me. If you don’t want to “doll ’em up, then just skip this part and go down to the next paragraph below. My reason is the cut-outs cover a lot of “mishaps” when shaping the dough over the apples.

Use the leftover pie crust dough to cut out leaves and roll vines. I cut out two leaves per apple dumpling and one vine per apple dumpling. I also made stems for the apples.

Honestly, just think of the pie dough as play dough, and you’ll have loads of fun! You can find small cookie cutters the shape of leaves and that makes it Easy-Peasy! I’ve posted a link below for some fun shapes for Fall. (Remember I am an Amazon affiliate, so I make a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Full disclosure.)

Brush the top and side of each dumpling with the egg whitewash.

Stick the leaves, vines, and stems on top of each apple dumpling, then gently brush them with the egg wash too. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

Place the dumplings in a preheated 425° oven for about 10 minutes, until the pastry sets and starts to turn golden brown. Reduce heat to 375° and bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes longer. 

NOTE: If the pastry begins to brown too much, make an aluminum tent and cover the apples until ready to remove from the oven.

While the apples bake, bring 1 cup of water, the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, 1/2 cup of packed brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon to boil in a small saucepan over medium heat. 

Dissolve 2 teaspoons cornstarch in 2 teaspoons water; whisk into hot syrup for a smooth sauce. Cover, keep warm.

Remove the baked apple dumplings and place the baking tray on a cooling rack. Allow to cool slightly.

Aren’t they pretty? They smell amazing…the hints of apple and cinnamon wafting through the air is sure to give you all the “Fall” feels.

On a serving plate, spoon a portion of the rich warm cinnamon sauce on a dessert plate. Set the apple dumpling over warm sauce. Serve immediately, alone or with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. You can even lightly drizzle the cinnamon sauce over the top of the entire apple dumpling…or you can just lap up the cinnamon sauce straight from the serving spoon. I won’t tell!! That sauce is sooooooooooo good!

Want to take a peek inside? I know you do…let’s take a look.

The apples are tender and juicy. The cinnamon brown sugar nut filling pops out and pairs so perfectly with the tender, flavorful apples, and the combo of tart with sweet blend is superb! 

Honestly, this is the BEST Apple Dumpling ever! You could make the dumplings ahead of time.

TIP for making in advance…

Before brushing the entire outside the dumpling with the egg wash and sprinkling them with sugar, cover the dumplings with plastic wrap and chill until ready to bake. Then brush the dumplings with the egg wash and sprinkle with sugar and bake as directed. 

You can even make the cinnamon sauce in advance and just reheat it when ready to serve. 

My “non-pie-loving” husband inhaled one of these dumplings in just a few seconds and had another one later that evening. If that isn’t a testament to how good they are… I don’t know what is!

This classic dessert originated in the Eastern United States and are a very common recipe among the Amish. They are often eaten for breakfast. I think the Amish are my people! 

Whether you’re having them for breakfast or as a dessert, they’re a great Autumn treat that your guests will love. I hope you love these wonderful Homemade Apple Dumplings with warm Cinnamon Sauce sometime this Apple Season and have fun making them. 

If you loved this recipe…you may love these other wonderful Apple Dessert Recipes

• Spiced Caramel Apple Pie Recipe
• Cranberry Apple Pie Recipe
• Apple Pecan Cobbler 
• Dutch Apple Pie Recipe
• Double Caramel Apples with Chocolate and Nuts

I’d love to have you join me over on Instagram, Pinterest, and/or Facebook, where I share my favorite recipes every day! As always… Thanks so much for stopping by today! Come back soon!

Happy Nesting!

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