Easy & Delicious Apple Dumplings: The Ultimate Puff Pastry Dessert
When it comes to festive desserts, especially for celebrations like New Year’s Eve or simply a cozy evening at home, few treats can rival the comforting simplicity and exquisite taste of homemade apple dumplings. These delightful “apple bellies,” as they’re affectionately called, stand out as an absolute favorite, right alongside classic Dutch donuts. What makes them truly special? The apple, baked to perfection, retains a delightful crunch while being infused with the warm, inviting aroma of cinnamon. It’s a harmonious blend of textures and flavors that promises to enchant your taste buds with every bite.
Baking together with family is one of life’s purest joys, and this recipe is perfectly tailored for those moments. Our youngest helper, in particular, thrives on recipes that are quick to prepare, and these apple dumplings fit the bill perfectly. From start to finish, the hands-on preparation takes merely five to ten minutes, making it an ideal activity for impatient little bakers. The added bonus? Apples are his absolute favorite fruit, making this a win-win for everyone involved!
Crafting these delicious apple dumplings is an incredibly straightforward process, perfect for bakers of all skill levels. First, we carefully remove the apple core, then gently peel the apple, preparing it for its sweet filling. Next, a generous spoonful of luscious apricot jam is nestled into the hollowed-out center, adding a burst of fruity sweetness. The jam-filled apple is then lovingly wrapped in flaky puff pastry, creating a perfect little package. A sprinkle of sugar and a touch of homemade cinnamon sugar completes the exterior before they head into the oven. In just about 20 minutes, these golden-brown, fragrant pies emerge, ready to be savored.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Apple Dumpling Recipe
There are countless reasons why these apple dumplings have become a cherished recipe in our kitchen, and why we believe they’ll quickly become a staple in yours too. They offer a perfect balance of convenience and gourmet appeal, making them suitable for any occasion.
- Effortless Elegance: Despite their impressive appearance, these apple dumplings are incredibly simple to make. Using store-bought puff pastry saves valuable time without compromising on the delightful flaky texture that makes this dessert so appealing.
- Lightning-Fast Preparation: With only 5-10 minutes of active prep time, this recipe is a lifesaver when you need a delicious dessert in a hurry. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or unexpected guests.
- Kid-Friendly Fun: The straightforward steps – coring, peeling, filling, and wrapping – are ideal for involving children in the kitchen. It’s a fantastic way to introduce them to baking, fostering a love for cooking and creating memories together.
- Irresistible Flavor Combination: The core of a fresh, slightly crunchy apple, generously filled with sweet apricot jam and spiced with aromatic cinnamon, all encased in buttery, flaky puff pastry, creates a symphony of flavors and textures that is truly addictive.
- Versatile for Any Occasion: While perfect for a special New Year’s Eve treat, these dumplings are equally delightful as a weekend breakfast indulgence, a cozy after-dinner dessert, or even a fancy brunch item.
- Warm & Comforting: There’s something undeniably comforting about a warm, baked apple dessert. These dumplings deliver that feeling of home and coziness, making them a perfect treat on a chilly day.
Ingredients Spotlight: Crafting the Perfect Dumpling
Each ingredient in this recipe plays a crucial role in creating the ultimate apple dumpling experience. Understanding their contributions can help you appreciate the simplicity and genius of this dessert.
- Apples: The star of the show! For the best results, choose small, firm apples that hold their shape well during baking. Varieties like Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, or even a tart Granny Smith (if you prefer a less sweet outcome) are excellent choices. Their natural sweetness and slight tartness provide a wonderful contrast to the rich pastry and jam.
- Puff Pastry: The magic ingredient for a truly effortless flaky crust. Using pre-made, thawed puff pastry sheets makes this recipe incredibly quick. The layers of butter within the pastry create a delicate, airy texture that crisps up beautifully in the oven, providing a perfect golden shell for the apple.
- Apricot Jam: This sweet and slightly tart filling adds moisture, flavor, and a beautiful sticky glaze to the apple’s core. Apricot jam is a classic pairing with apples, but you could experiment with other fruit jams like raspberry, peach, or even a marmalade for a different twist.
- Sugar & Ground Cinnamon: This simple yet powerful duo is sprinkled over the pastry before baking. The sugar caramelizes, creating a wonderfully crisp, golden crust, while the cinnamon infuses the entire dumpling with its comforting, warm spice. You can adjust the ratio to your liking, adding more cinnamon for a bolder flavor.
- Melted Butter: Brushing the puff pastry with melted butter before the sugar-cinnamon sprinkle ensures a rich flavor, a beautiful golden-brown color, and helps the sugar adhere and caramelize perfectly.
Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Delicious Apple Dumplings
While the recipe card below provides concise instructions, let’s walk through each step with a bit more detail to ensure your apple dumplings turn out perfectly every time. This detailed guide will help you understand the nuances of preparation.
- Preheat & Prepare: First things first, preheat your oven to 200 degrees Celsius (approximately 390 degrees Fahrenheit for conventional ovens). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature for the pastry to puff and bake evenly from the moment the dumplings go in. While the oven heats, line a baking tray with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes for easy cleanup.
- Core & Peel the Apples: Wash your apples thoroughly. Using an apple corer, carefully remove the core from each apple, making a neat hole down the center. Next, peel the apples entirely. For this recipe, we actually cut the apple in half horizontally after coring and peeling, creating two “half-domes” if you will, each ready to be filled and wrapped. This method ensures even baking and easier portioning.
- Fill with Jam: Take each apple half and generously fill the hollowed-out core with apricot jam. Don’t be shy here; the jam will melt into a delicious, syrupy center that complements the apple beautifully.
- Wrap in Puff Pastry: Lay out your thawed puff pastry sheets. Place an apple half, cut-side up (jam facing you), onto the center of each puff pastry square. Carefully bring the corners and sides of the puff pastry up and around the apple, enveloping it completely.
- Seal the Package: Once the apple is fully covered, gently squeeze and pinch all the edges of the puff pastry together at the top, forming a neat seam. Ensure the pastry is properly closed around the entire apple to prevent any jam from leaking out during baking. You want to create a snug, sealed “belly” around the apple.
- Prepare the Topping: In a small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. This mixture will give your dumplings a delicious, aromatic, and slightly crisp crust.
- Brush & Sprinkle: Take your melted butter and lightly brush the entire surface of each puff pastry-wrapped apple dumpling. This acts as a glue for the sugar-cinnamon mixture and helps achieve that beautiful golden-brown color. Immediately after brushing, generously sprinkle the mixed sugar and cinnamon over each buttered dumpling.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Carefully transfer your apple packages onto the prepared baking tray. Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until the puff pastry is beautifully golden brown, puffed up, and the apples inside are tender.
- Serve Immediately: These dumplings are best enjoyed warm, fresh out of the oven. The warm apple, melted jam, and flaky pastry are simply irresistible when hot.
Tips for Perfect Apple Dumplings Every Time
Achieving consistently perfect apple dumplings is simple with a few key tips in mind. These small details can make a big difference in the final product.
- Keep Pastry Cold: Puff pastry is easiest to work with when it’s cold. If it gets too warm and sticky, pop it back into the fridge for 5-10 minutes. This helps maintain its flaky layers.
- Don’t Overfill: While tempting to load up on jam, be mindful not to overfill the apple core, or it might burst out during baking. A generous tablespoon per apple half is usually sufficient.
- Seal Tightly: Ensure all seams of the puff pastry are securely pinched together. Any gaps can lead to jam leakage and a less appealing presentation.
- Uniform Apple Size: Using apples of similar size will ensure they all cook evenly in the same amount of time.
- Adjust Baking Time: Ovens vary, so keep an eye on your dumplings. They are done when the pastry is deeply golden brown and puffed. If you’re unsure, a knife inserted into the apple should meet little resistance.
- Spice It Up: Feel free to adjust the amount of cinnamon to your preference. A pinch of nutmeg or cardamom could also be added to the sugar mixture for an extra layer of flavor.
Serving Suggestions & Creative Variations
While delicious on their own, these apple dumplings can be elevated with various serving suggestions and ingredient twists.
Serving Suggestions:
- A La Mode: A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream melting over a warm dumpling is a classic pairing that’s hard to beat.
- Whipped Cream: A dollop of freshly whipped cream adds a light and airy contrast.
- Caramel Drizzle: A generous drizzle of warm caramel sauce takes these to an indulgent level.
- Custard or Crème Anglaise: For a more sophisticated touch, serve with a pool of creamy vanilla custard.
- Powdered Sugar: A simple dusting of powdered sugar makes for an elegant finish.
Flavor Variations:
- Different Jams: Experiment with raspberry, cherry, peach, or even orange marmalade for diverse flavor profiles.
- Nutty Crunch: Add a small amount of chopped walnuts or pecans along with the jam for added texture.
- Dried Fruit Infusion: Mix a few dried cranberries or golden raisins into the jam before filling the apples.
- Citrus Zest: A little lemon or orange zest mixed with the cinnamon sugar can add a bright, fragrant note.
- Savory Twist (Briefly): While a sweet dish, a very subtle hint of savory, like a tiny pinch of sea salt in the sugar, can enhance the sweetness.
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, looking for a quick and impressive dessert, or simply want to enjoy a comforting baked treat with your family, these apple dumplings are a fantastic choice. Their ease of preparation, combined with their irresistible flavor and aroma, makes them a true crowd-pleaser. Get ready to enjoy the warmth and deliciousness that only homemade apple desserts can bring!
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📖 Recipe
RECIPE CARD
Andréa
Pin Recipe
Equipment
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A conventional oven is used. When using a convection oven (with air fan) decrease the temperature with 30 °F / 20 °C
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Baking tray
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Parchment paper
Ingredients
- 2 apples , small
- 4 sheets puff pastry, thawed
- 4 tablespoons apricot jam
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon , ground
- 2 tablespoons butter , melted
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius (390°F).
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Line a baking tray with baking paper.
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Remove the core from the apple.
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Peel the apple and cut it in half horizontally.
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Fill the hollowed-out center of each apple half with the apricot jam.
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Place each jam-filled apple half on a puff pastry sheet and fold the dough around it.
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Squeeze and pinch all the edges and the top of the pastry firmly so it’s properly closed and sealed around the apple.
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In a small bowl, mix the sugar with the cinnamon.
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Brush the outside of the puff pastry-wrapped apple dumplings with the melted butter.
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Generously sprinkle the buttered dumplings with the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
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Place the apple packages on the prepared baking tray.
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Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.
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Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious homemade apple dumplings!
Nutrition
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