Description

Warm, tender apple dumplings wrapped in buttery pastry and smothered in rich caramel—an irresistible comfort dessert ideal for cozy gatherings or family dinners.

Ingredients

Units Scale

4 medium tart apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
1 package (8 oz) refrigerated crescent roll dough or pie crust dough
4 tbsp unsalted butter
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
1 cup water
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Optional toppings: vanilla ice cream or whipped cream

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9‑inch round or 8‑cup baking dish.
Peel, core, and quarter each apple into 8 slices.
Unroll dough and cut into 8 equal squares (or triangles if using crescent rolls).
Place 1 apple quarter onto each square. Top with 1/2 tablespoon butter, a sprinkle of brown sugar, cinnamon (and nutmeg if using).
Wrap dough around the apple, sealing edges and placing seam‑side down in the prepared dish.
In a medium saucepan, combine remaining brown sugar, water, vanilla, and salt. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring until sugar dissolves.
Pour caramel sauce evenly over the dumplings in the dish.
Bake 35–40 minutes until dumplings are golden brown and apples are tender, basting once with sauce halfway through.
Allow dumplings to cool 5 minutes before serving. Spoon caramel sauce over top and serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream, if desired.

Notes

Use puff pastry instead of crescent or pie dough for a flakier crust.
Swap brown sugar for maple syrup or honey for a different caramel flavor.
Make ahead: assemble and refrigerate before baking; add a few extra minutes to baking time.
To reduce sweetness, use unsweetened apples and decrease brown sugar by 1/4 cup.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 dumpling
Calories: 300 kcal
Sugar: 30 g
Sodium: 230 mg
Fat: 12 g
Saturated Fat: 7 g
Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 45 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 2 g
Cholesterol: 30 mg