Easy Apple Dumplings Recipe
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Last Updated on July 24, 2026 by Heidi Bruaw
Since fall is fast approaching, I thought I would make another apple dessert. This time I have chosen an Apple Dumplings Recipe. I don’t think I had ever had apple dumplings before I made them! Have you ever tried apple dumplings?
These dumplings take more time and effort than many of the recipes on my site, but I assure you, they are worth it!
What Ingredients Will I Need?
- Sugar
- Water
- Cinnamon Candies (like Red Hots)
- Butter
- Apples
- Lemon Juice
- Nutmeg
- Cinnamon
- Flour
- Salt
- Baking Powder
- Shortening
- Milk
Equipment You May Need
- Saucepan
- Wooden Spoon
- Apple Slicer and Corer
- Vegetable Peeler
- Mixing Bowls
- Cutting Board
- Flour Sifter
- Rolling Pin
- Individual Baking Dishes such as Ramekins or Souffle Dishes
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
Helpful Tips for Making the Apple Dumplings Recipe
- Cut up apples ahead of time.
- Gradually increase stove heat when making the syrup. I started at the lowest temperature and went up slightly every minute or so until it was on the highest temperature.
- Stir syrup mixture constantly (taking 10-second breaks periodically). It took about 20-25 minutes for the Red Hots to completely dissolve.
- If you don’t have a flour sifter, a whisk can be used instead.
- The recipe calls for 6 apples. I didn’t even use half of the apples I cut up, but my apples may have been large. Produce has increased in size since the 1970’s (when this recipe was written).
- Granny Smith apples (or another tart apple) taste best when baking.
- Shortening sticks make measuring shortening much easier. I prefer the butter-flavored ones for a stronger flavor.
- My dough was not perfectly square and 6×6 inches like the recipe says. Mine were about 4×6 inches. It doesn’t have to be perfect!
Variations
- Pears can be used in place of apples.
- Instead of making the dough from this recipe, you can use premade crescent roll dough (such as Pillsbury).
- Add ice cream or whipped cream when serving.
Other Recipes You Might Like
- Apple Coffee Cake – classic coffee cake with apples on top!
- Cinnamon Crumb Cake – a cake for any time of day!
- Apple Fritter Bread – from The Baking ChocolaTess
- Vanilla Creme Brulee – from Chef Sherry at From Michigan to the Table
- Air Fryer Pears – from Gen at Two Cloves Kitchen
Final Thoughts on the Apple Dumplings Recipe
This recipe will definitely be made again in our house! Next time, it will probably be made in the fall, though. I had to wait until after 8 PM (when the sun went down) to make this so the house wouldn’t get too hot. I really liked the cinnamon flavor from the Red Hots and the texture of the pastry.
I wish I could have fit more apples in each dumpling, but they wouldn’t have closed if I had done that. Some more experimenting and perfecting will be done with this recipe, for sure. If you make it, let me know what you think!
Have you made apple dumplings before?
Apple Dumplings Recipe
Equipment
- 6 Ramekin or Souffle Dishes
- 1 Apple Peeler and Corer
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Sugar
- 1 Cup Water
- 3 Tablespoons Cinnamon Candies like Red Hots
- ¼ Cup Butter
- 6 Apples like Granny Smith
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
- ¼ teaspoon Nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon Cinnamon
- 2 Cups Flour
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 Tablespoon Baking Powder
- ¾ Cup Shortening
- ½ Cup Milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Grease 6 souffle dishes (or other individual baking dishes) and set aside.
- Using a saucepan on the stove, make a syrup with 1 cup sugar, water, and the cinnamon candies; stirring constantly. Cook until cinnamon candies are dissolved.
- Add butter and set aside.
- Peel, core, and slice apples.
- Sprinkle with lemon juice, 1 cup sugar, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
- In a separate bowl, sift and measure flour. Add salt and baking powder. Then sift again. Cut in shortening.
- Add milk and stir until mixture is moistened.
- Roll out onto floured board into a sheet about 18 by 12 inches. Cut into 6 6-inch squares.
- Put mound of apples on each square. Moisten edges of pastries with water. Bring the four corners up over the apples and pinch the sides together.
- Transfer to individual baking dishes and pour the cinnamon syrup around the dumplings.
- Bake at 350° for 1 hour.
*Adapted from The American-International Encyclopedic Cookbook by Anne London, copyright 1972
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This looks incredible! Will have to try!
Thank you so much! 🙂
The apple dumplings look delicious! I love the portion sizing. I want to give this a try- I love baked apple more than anything else. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Nancy ✨ Cold Brew Vibes
Thank you! I really enjoyed the individual dishes myself. 🙂
Wow oh wow oh WOW! These look and sound absolutely blooming delicious. I’m going to be making these ASAP. I just love how these remind me of autumn and I can just imagine being snuggled up under a blanket eating these… unreal. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe with us lovely. I can’t wait to make! Xo
Elle – ellegracedeveson.com
Thank you so much, sweet Elle! These would be so good snuggled up in a blanket by the fire. You are so right. I hope you get to make them! 🙂
Ooh I love this! I haven’t tried apple dumplings before but will definitely be trying them now. They sound like they taste just as delicious as they look – and the texture sounds perfect! Thank you so much for sharing x
I actually hadn’t had them before this either! They are amazing and I’m not sure how I went so long without trying them! 🙂
Oh my goodness, does that look divine! I would totally overindulge by plopping a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream right on top.
Thanks for sharing!
Crystal | amazingbaby.app
Thank you! Vanilla ice cream would be yummy! I definitely added whipped cream to the top of mine! 🙂
The title grabbed my attention because I love apple crumble with loads of cinnamon but when I saw Red Hots you had me. Sounds excitingly gorgeous 😋🍎 🔥😋
Thank you! The Red Hots give it such a unique and delicious flavor. 🙂
As a Jamaican, when I think of dumplings, my mind goes to flour kneaded into a dense cartwheel shape. I am very intrigued by your apple dumplings. Never had it, but it sounds and looks delicious.
Interesting! It’s very cool to learn about the differences around the world. Thank you so much!
Love these apple dumplings. So unique and innovative.
Thank you so much!
Look so yummy and love how you explain and talked about this recipe. I will add it to the list. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you! 🙂
These look so amazing and totally yummy
Saving for later!
Thank you so much!
Oh yum! I love apple dumplings! I will have to make these for sure. Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!
You’re welcome! I hope you enjoy them. 🙂
I haven’t tried apple dumplings before but they sound so delicious! Thank you for sharing an easy to follow recipe.
Lauren
If you haven’t tried them, you will have to soon! 🙂
This looks so delicious. It is a lovely dish to enjoy this time of year. Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe. ☺️
Pastor Natalie (ExamineThisMoment)
Letstakeamoment.com
Thank you! It’s definitely a fun autumn treat. 🙂
This recipe is the ultimate comfort food. My family enjoyed it warm with vanilla ice cream. Can’t wait to make again
Thank you! That sounds delicious. I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
oh, this looks so good! Love this recipe and would love to try this soon. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it. 🙂
These look amazing! I love the addition of the red hots to the apples – the perfect dessert as we go into Fall. Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Thank you so much, Jodie! That is something I love too. It gave it that extra cinnamon kick. 🙂
This tasted so great and is a perfect Fall dish, especially for a dinner party!
I’m glad you liked it! Yes, a dinner party is a great idea for this dish. 🙂
These came out amazing! I used both apples and pears, and loved them both.
Thanks for the recipe, I will making these dumplings again!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed them. Apples and pears together would be so yummy! 🙂
These apple dumplings were great! The spice mixture added such a nice warmth. I’m ready for all the fall baking, so I’ll have to make these dumplings again!
I’m glad to hear that you liked them! 🙂
This sounds amazing; perfect for the coming colder months of Fall and WInter (I think I’d even have these for Christmas). I love spiced apple in all forms so these dumplings sound wonderful!
They would so great at Christmas! 🙂