Easy Pennsylvania Dutch Apple Dumplings | Hymns and Verses (2024)

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.TheHistoric Ephrata Cloistereven 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.