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Easy Pennsylvania Dutch Apple Dumplings

Amish Apple Dumplings are a traditional, time-honored treat that has delighted generations of Americans. These delectable desserts feature soft, sweet tender apples with a hint of cinnamon enveloped in a light pie crust and baked until golden brown. The finished product is a scrumptious combination of flavors. For those looking for a unique take on the classic American dessert, this Amish apple dumpling is one that you need to give a try.

Apple dumplings are an American favorite, and they are definitely a Pennsylvania Dutch favorite and are a staple here in Lancaster County. The Historic Ephrata Cloister even has an apple dumpling festival every fall. If you’ve never had an apple dumpling, you are missing out!!!

Why you’ll love this recipe

  • Just like other Amish recipes, they’re full of flavor and absolutely delicious
  • You only need pantry staple ingredients  
  • Ready in just over an hour

Ingredients needed

Get more info for these ingredients in this Amish apple dumpling recipe in the recipe card below

  • Granny Smith Apples
  • refrigerated pie crusts
  • brown sugar
  • cinnamon
  • nutmeg
  • butter
  • white sugar
  • water
 
 

How to Make Amish Apple Dumplings

  1. Combine sugar, water, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  2. Remove from heat and add 1/4 cup butter. Set syrup aside. 
  3. Combine apple filling ingredients in a small mixing bowl. Mix with a fork until you have a crumb consistency.
  4. Cut each pie crust in half. Form each half into a ball and place on a lightly floured surface. Roll into 8 inch circles.
  5. Place each apple onto the center of each circle and fill the empty core with the crumb filling.
  6. Fold the dough over the apples, pinching at the top to seal the unbaked dumplings.
  7. Place each apple in a lightly greased 13″ x 9″ baking dish. Drizzle with the syrup.
  8. Bake at 375 degrees for 40 – 45 minutes until crust is golden brown. Tent these easy apple dumplings with foil if the crust is browning too much.

Storage

Leftover Apple Dumplings should be stored in an airtight container and should be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days.

The best way to freeze them is in a freezer safe container for up to 2 months. An easy way to reheat these is by popping them back on a baking sheet in the oven until warmed through again. Or, you could reheat them in the Air Fryer.

 

 
 

Are Apple Dumplings hard to make?

I used to be intimidated by the thought of making these pastry-wrapped apples, because I thought it would be difficult. But, guess what? They are so easy to make!!! 

 

What kind of apples should I use?

The best answer to this is whatever apples you prefer and have on hand! But if you are looking for a few ideas to try something new or see what others like, try any of these:

  • Granny Smith apples (known for a tart flavor and will stay firm in your dumplings)
  • Honeycrisp
  • Gala (these tend to soften up when used in dumpling recipes)

We use medium apples, but you can use any whole apples that you prefer and have on hand. Whatever apples you enjoy are the best apples for this warm apple dumpling recipe

How do you core an apple?

We like to use an apple corer to easily core the apples. You can also get one of those apple spiralizer corers where it spins the apple, peels the apple, and cores it all at once.

Can I make this ahead of time?

You can fill and wrap the dumplings and then bake them later in day. You can also wait to make the syrup until later as well.

How should I serve these dumplings?

You can serve warm or room temperature with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and maybe some caramel sauce on top if you’re really looking for a treat!

Tips and Variations

  • It is normal for the syrup to be runny, it will not thicken up as it cooks. If you really want a thicker sauce, I suppose you can thicken it with a cornstarch slurry.
  • You can use any apples really, smaller, bigger, whatever you have.
  • Feel free to use your homemade buttery dough recipe that you have if you prefer that over a storebought crust.
  • Make sure your press the dough firmly together so you don’t have the dumplings falling apart.

Now that you see just how simple it is to make this delicious fall dessert, what are you waiting for? Go whip up a batch of Amish Apple Dumplings any time of the year.

 
Yield: 8 Apple Dumplings

Apple Dumplings

Apple Dumplings

This recipe creates a shortcut for traditional Pennsylvania Dutch Apple Dumplings by using refrigerated pie crusts! It's a real time saver! But, if you prefer to make your own crust, simply follow the remaining recipe ingredients for this traditional Lancaster County dessert!

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 8 Medium Granny Smith Apples
  • Two 15 oz. packages refrigerated pie crusts
  • APPLE FILLING INGREDIENTS
  • 1/2 C brown sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 2 TBS butter, softened
  • SYRUP INGREDIENTS
  • 1 1/2 C sugar
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 C water
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 C butter

Instructions

  1. Combine sugar, water, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  2. Remove from heat and add 1/4 cup butter. Set syrup aside. 
  3. Combine apple filling ingredients in a small mixing bowl. Mix with a fork until you have a crumb consistency.
  4. Cut each pie crust in half. Form each half into a ball and place on a lightly floured surface. Roll into 8 inch circles.
  5. Place each apple onto the center of each circle and fill the empty core with the crumb filling.
  6. Fold the dough over the apples, pinching at the top to seal.
  7. Place each apple in a lightly greased 13″ x 9″ baking dish. Drizzle with the syrup.
  8. Bake at 375 degrees for 40 – 45 minutes until crust is golden brown. Tent with foil if crust is browning too much.

Notes

Delicious served warm with vanilla ice cream.


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If you like this recipe, you may also enjoy these yummy cupcakes that are another fall treat in our home!

Salted Carmel Frosted Pumpkin Cupcake Recipe

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Sea Salt Carmel Buttercream Frosting

 

 
 
 

Lori

Friday 14th of October 2022

hi doreen,i made apple dumplings today.ivenever made them.before.i hope they taste as good as they smell!!!!im allergic to nutmeg so i used apple pie spice instead!!!

Doreen Cagno

Tuesday 18th of October 2022

Oh, I'm so glad! Enjoy!!!

Sheila Bradford

Friday 14th of October 2022

Is the syrup to be runny? I got ahead of myself and melted the butter with water sugar and the other ingredients. Is that why it's so runny? Had a good taste tho. I'm making them for the guys down at the fire station. I do monthly bakes for them so thought these would be great.

Doreen Cagno

Tuesday 18th of October 2022

Yes, the syrup is runny. It does not thicken.

Joyce Tilley

Thursday 24th of February 2022

I have been making apple dumplings since about 8 years old. Easy and fun to make. I also use a apple pealing corer. I like rolling and shaping the dough, from scratch. My Mennonite neighbor told me about adding apple cider vinegar to the dough and the less you handle with your hands the better. No hands ! Really so easy , you can do it. I make pies for fire company fundraiser. Church , and charity. Harder now at my age but a burst of energy calls for pie making for family , grandson’ ‘s favorite pumpkin, and his dad cherry and my apple dumplings. God Bless 🙏🏻 🥧

Jean

Thursday 23rd of December 2021

I have an allergy to cinnamon. What can I use in place of this. I thought maybe I would try it with vanilla. Would this make it to sweet.

Doreen Cagno

Friday 31st of December 2021

I'm not sure. But, you can always give it a try!

Mae

Friday 11th of September 2020

I used peaches with this recipe and they were amazing!

Doreen Cagno

Wednesday 16th of September 2020

Thanks so much for sharing! It sounds delicious!!!

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