Classic Apple Dumplings

Ingredients

For the Dumplings

• 2 large apples, peeled, cored, and halved
• 1 package refrigerated pie crusts, or homemade pie dough
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Sauce

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup water
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9 × 13-inch baking dish.
2. Cut each pie crust into two pieces large enough to completely wrap each apple half.
3. Place one apple half in the center of each piece of dough.
4. Sprinkle each apple with a little cinnamon and sugar, then place a small piece of butter on top.
5. Fold the dough up and around the apple, sealing the edges well. Place the dumplings seam-side down in the prepared baking dish.
6. To make the sauce, combine the butter, sugar, water, cinnamon, and vanilla in a saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves.
7. Pour the warm sauce evenly around the dumplings. Don’t pour too much directly over the tops so they can become golden and flaky.
8. Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the apples are tender.
9. Let the dumplings cool for about 10 minutes before serving.
10. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream and spoon some of the buttery sauce over the top.

Tips

• Granny Smith apples work especially well because their tartness balances the sweet sauce.
• Don’t overfill the pastry or the dumplings may open while baking.
• For extra flavor, add a small pinch of nutmeg to the cinnamon-sugar mixture.