OLD FASHIONED APPLE DUMPLINGS

Preparation Time: 30 minutes Cooking Time: 40-45 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes Recipe Intensity: Moderate

Ingredients:

For the Dumplings:

• 6 medium-sized apples (such as Granny Smith), peeled and cored
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1/2 cup cold water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Filling:

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

For the Sauce:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or pan.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt. Cut in the cold, cubed unsalted butter using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Gradually add the cold water to the flour mixture, a little at a time, and mix until the dough comes together. It should be soft and slightly sticky.
4. Divide the dough into six equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball.
5. Take one peeled and cored apple and place it in the center of one of the dough balls. Wrap the dough around the apple, sealing it completely. Repeat with the remaining apples and dough portions.
6. Place the wrapped apple dumplings in the greased baking dish.
7. In a small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves for the filling.
8. Brush each wrapped apple dumpling with melted unsalted butter, then sprinkle the sugar-spice mixture generously over each dumpling, coating them evenly.
9. In a saucepan, combine the ingredients for the sauce: granulated sugar, water, unsalted butter, and vanilla extract. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar is dissolved and the butter is melted.
10. Pour the hot sauce evenly over the apple dumplings in the baking dish.
11. Bake the apple dumplings in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes or until the dumplings are golden brown and the apples are tender when pierced with a fork.
12. Remove the apple dumplings from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.
13. Serve the old-fashioned apple dumplings warm, spooning some of the sauce from the baking dish over each dumpling.
14. Enjoy these comforting and delicious apple dumplings as a classic dessert, especially delightful when served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Note: You can adjust the amount of sugar and spices in the filling according to your taste preferences. Feel free to add chopped nuts (such as walnuts or pecans) to the filling for extra crunch and flavor. These apple dumplings are best served fresh from the oven but can also be reheated if needed. Enjoy the cozy flavors of fall with this timeless dessert!