Old-Fashioned Apple Dumplings

Yields: 6 dumplings Prep Time: 25 minutes Cook Time: 45-55 minutes

Ingredients:

For the Dumplings:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 1/2 cup cold milk
• 6 medium apples (such as Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Granny Smith), peeled and cored

For the Sauce:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Equipment:

• Mixing bowls
• Pastry blender or fork
• 9×13 inch baking dish
• Measuring cups and spoons

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dumpling Dough:
   • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
   • Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
   • Gradually add the cold milk, mixing until the dough comes together. Do not overmix.
   • On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a rectangle approximately 1/4 inch thick.
   • Cut the dough into six equal squares.
2. Assemble the Dumplings:
   • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
   • Place an apple in the center of each dough square.
   • Fill the core of each apple with a little sugar and cinnamon if desired.
   • Bring the corners of the dough squares up and around the apples, pinching the seams to seal.
   • Place the dumplings in a 9×13 inch baking dish.
3. Prepare the Sauce:
   • In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, water, butter, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
   • Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.
   • Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Bake the Dumplings:
   • Pour the sauce evenly over the dumplings.
   • Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the dumplings are golden brown and the apples are tender.
   • Baste the dumplings with the sauce occasionally during baking.
5. Serve:
   • Let the dumplings cool slightly before serving.
   • Serve warm, spooning the sauce over the dumplings.

Tips and Variations:

• Spice it up: Add a pinch of ground cloves or allspice to the sauce.
• Nutty addition: Sprinkle chopped nuts (such as pecans or walnuts) over the dumplings before baking.
• Caramel sauce: Add a few table spoons of caramel sauce to the sauce mixture before pouring over the dumplings.
• ice cream: Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

Enjoy your comforting Old-Fashioned Apple Dumplings!