Pennsylvania Dutch Apple Dumplings

Ingredients

• 2 9-inch pie crusts (chilled)
• 6 Granny Smith apples (peeled and cored)
• 4 tbsp butter (divided, for apple centers)
• 6 tbsp brown sugar (for apple filling)
• 1 tsp cinnamon (for sprinkling over apples)
• 2 cup brown sugar (for the sauce)
• 2 cup water
• 4 tbsp butter (for the sauce)
• 0.5 tsp cinnamon (for the sauce)
• 0.25 tsp ground nutmeg (for the sauce)

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Generously butter a 9x13-inch baking pan.

2. 2

   On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pie pastry into a large 16x24-inch rectangle. Using a knife or pastry wheel, cut the rectangle into 6 equal squares.

3. 3

   Place one peeled and cored apple in the center of each pastry square.

4. 4

   Divide 4 tablespoons of butter into 6 portions and tuck a piece into the cored opening of each apple.

5. 5

   Spoon 1 tablespoon of brown sugar over and around each apple. Sprinkle the apples evenly with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon.

6. 6

   Fold the corners of the pastry squares up and over each apple. Press the seams together firmly to seal the apple inside. Place the dumplings seam-side down in the prepared baking pan.

7. 7

   In a medium saucepan, combine the sauce ingredients: 2 cups brown sugar, 2 cups water, 4 tablespoons butter, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg.

8. 8

   Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is completely dissolved, about 5 minutes.

9. 9

   Pour the hot sauce evenly over the dumplings in the baking pan.

10. 10

    Bake the dumplings for approximately 50 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the apples are soft when poked with a toothpick or fork.

11. 11

    Serve the dumplings warm, spooning extra sauce from the pan over the top. Pair with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if desired.

Notes

For best results, use a firm, tart apple like Granny Smith that holds its shape during baking. If the pastry is browning too quickly, you can tent the pan loosely with foil for the last 15 minutes of baking.

Nutrition per serving

• dessert
• baking
• apple
• pennsylvania dutch
• fall
• comfort food
• vegetarian