Grandmother’s Apple Dumplings

Grandmother’s apple dumplings

For as long as I remember, Grandmother’s house was one of my favorite places to visit. She always had fresh baked fruit pies, seasoned pretzels, cookies, fruit, and my favorite: her delicious apple dumplings. To make a long story short, my grandmother started baking shoo-fly pies for a small road side market approximately fourty years ago.
My grandmother added fresh fruit pies to the list, and eventually started making apple dumplings were an immediate hit with everyone that tried them. The sweet syrup, the fruit, and the pastry dough were a delectable combination that she became known for. Grandmothers pastries were sold at farmer’s markets, trade shows, grocery stores and fairs.

When I was growing up, I went over to her house all the time to help her bake. I treasure the memories that were made (such as me and my cousin making such a mess while helping). I still make the dumplings every now and then for friends- they’re especially delicious served with vanilla icecream!
The ingredients:

Each apple gets placed on the rolled out pie dough

4 apples, peeled, cut in half and cored.

Brown sugar

Granulated sugar

cinnamon

butter

Pre-made pie dough or recipe below

Pie dough:

1 cup all purpose flour

Close the apple and wrap it in the pie dough

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup butter

1/4 cup cold water

1 Tbsp granulates sugar 3 Tbsp brown sugar

In small mixing bowl, mix together flour, sugar and salt then cut in butter. Rub mixture between hands until lumps are gone, then add water. Do not make dough too wet, just wet enough to roll. I usually don’t add quite all the water, since it comes out flakier with less water.

Place apple pies into baking pan to bake

Peel and core apples, set aside and roll out dough on lightly floured surface. Cut into 4 pieces and place 1/2 apple on square, middle side up. Fill center with 1/4 teaspoon brown sugar, 1/4 tsp granulated sugar, and small sliver of butter, then sprinkle cinnamon on top. Place other half of apple on top and wrap dough around apple. Place each apple into baking pan.

While finishing apples, simmer syrup of 1cup water, 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1 Tbsp butter on stove. When all apples are in the pan, pour syrup over apples making sure to make all dough wet. (This will help them get golden brown). Put in oven and bake at 350F for 45 minutes. Serve hot with vanilla ice-cream or milk.

Serve with ice cream

For a healthier version, slice 1 teaspoon butter into apple instead of sugar, sprinkle with cinnamon, a little nutmeg and drops of vanilla, then wrap in dough. Brush with 1 beaten egg instead of using syrup. Bake at 350F for 45 minutes.

ENJOY! -Kate Stoltz