Pioneer Woman’s Apple Dumplings
Pioneer Woman’s Apple Dumplings feature tender, flaky pastry wrapped around sweet, cinnamon-spiced apples, delivering a warm, comforting dessert with a perfect balance of textures and rich flavors. This easy-to-make, family-friendly recipe captures the essence of homemade goodness with a touch of southern charm, ideal for gatherings or cozy nights in.
- Author: Sarah
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6-8 dumplings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Southern
- Diet: Vegetarian (Gluten Free option available)
Fruit
- 4 crisp apples (Granny Smith recommended)
Dough
- 1 package buttery, flaky pie crust dough (store-bought or homemade)
Filling
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons butter (cut into small pats)
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Finishing
- 1 egg (for egg wash, optional)
- Butter or melted butter (for brushing)
- Optional: caramel sauce or powdered sugar for garnish
- Prepare the Apples: Peel, core, and cut the apples into thick wedges that will hold their shape during baking but become tender and juicy.
- Mix the Filling: In a bowl, combine brown sugar, cinnamon, and any optional spices like vanilla extract or nutmeg. Toss the apple wedges in this mixture until they are well coated to infuse maximum flavor.
- Roll Out the Dough: Roll the pie crust dough into circles large enough to fully enclose each apple wedge. Aim for thin dough without tearing to ensure a flaky crust.
- Assemble the Dumplings: Place each coated apple wedge on a dough circle, add a small pat of butter on top, then wrap the dough around the apple, pinching the edges tightly to seal.
- Bake to Perfection: Arrange the dumplings on a greased baking dish, brush the tops with melted butter or an egg wash to achieve a golden, crispy crust. Bake in a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven for 35 to 40 minutes until golden brown and tender.
- Add the Finishing Touch: After baking, optionally drizzle with warm caramel sauce or dust with powdered sugar to enhance sweetness and presentation.
Notes
- Keep the dough chilled until ready to use to maintain flakiness.
- Choose tart apples like Granny Smith for the best flavor balance and texture.
- Avoid overfilling to prevent leakage or sogginess during baking.
- Brushing with an egg wash produces a beautiful golden shine on the crust.
- Serve the dumplings warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an indulgent treat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 dumpling
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
Keywords: apple dumplings, Pioneer Woman recipe, dessert, apple dessert, cinnamon apple, flaky pastry, family dessert, southern dessert, baked apples