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Cozy Baked Apple Dumplings with Easy Caramel Sauce

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Tender, spiced apples wrapped in flaky pastry and drizzled with a rich, buttery caramel sauce. This comforting dessert is perfect for fall and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
  • 1/2 cup ice water (plus a tablespoon or two more if needed)
  • 6 medium apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith recommended)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line your baking dish with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Set it aside.
  2. Make the pastry: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Add the cold butter cubes. Using a pastry cutter or two forks, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture looks like coarse sand with a few pea-sized butter pieces remaining.
  3. Add the ice water: Drizzle the ice water over the flour mixture, one tablespoon at a time, and stir with a fork after each addition. Stop when the dough just comes together when you squeeze a handful. Form the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  4. Prepare the apples: While the dough chills, peel and core the apples. Keep them whole, using a melon baller or small spoon to scoop out the core from the top, leaving the bottom intact. In a small bowl, mix the sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
  5. Roll out the pastry: On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough into a large rectangle, about 1/8-inch thick (about 18×12 inches). Cut the dough into six equal squares (roughly 6×6 inches each).
  6. Assemble the dumplings: Place an apple in the center of each pastry square. Fill the core cavity with the cinnamon-sugar mixture, then brush the outside of the apple with melted butter. Fold the corners of the pastry up over the apple, pinching the edges to seal. Place each dumpling in the prepared baking dish, seam side down.
  7. Bake: Brush the tops of the dumplings with the remaining melted butter and sprinkle with extra cinnamon sugar if desired. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown and the apples are tender when pierced with a fork.
  8. Make the caramel sauce: While the dumplings bake, combine the butter, brown sugar, and heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly until the butter melts and the mixture comes to a gentle simmer. Let it bubble for 2-3 minutes, then remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and salt. Let it cool slightly.
  9. Serve: Place a warm dumpling on a plate, drizzle generously with the caramel sauce, and add a scoop of vanilla ice cream if desired.

Notes

Keep all pastry ingredients cold for flaky layers. Do not overwork the dough. For best results, use a mix of apple varieties like Honeycrisp and Granny Smith. The caramel sauce can be made up to 3 days ahead and reheated. Dumplings can be assembled a day in advance and refrigerated; add 5-10 minutes to baking time.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple dumplings, baked apple dumplings, caramel sauce, fall dessert, apple dessert, comfort food, easy apple dumplings

Find it online: https://sunnysavory.com/cozy-baked-apple-dumplings-with-easy-caramel-sauce/