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Apple Dumplings

These Apple Dumplings are to live for with their perfectly buttery, flaky pastry and oozing cinnamon and sugar peanut butter filling all drizzled with silky caramel.  They are warm and comforting and the best apple dessert you can make all season!  I've included how to make Apple Dumplings Ahead, How to Freeze and How to Reheat!
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 8 dumplings

Ingredients

Dough

  • 2 1/2 cups flour plus more for dusting
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 10 tablespoons unsalted butter chilled and cubed
  • 4 tablespoons shortening chilled and cubed
  • 3/4 cup half and half chilled

Peanut Butter Filling

Instructions

  • Dough: Add flour, sugar, baking powder and salt to food processor and pulse until combined. Scatter chilled butter and shortening over flour and pulse until it resembles coarse crumbs. Transfer to a bowl and stir in half and half until dough forms. Turn out onto lightly floured counter and knead briefly until dough comes together. Press dough into a rough 10x5 rectangle and cut in half. Wrap each half in plastic wrap, and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour or until you are ready to use.
  • Peanut Butter Filling: Preheat oven to 425F degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  • Combine sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. In a second bowl, combine peanut butter and 1/3 cup sugar mixture, and stir until completely combined. Using a melon baller, scoop out core/seeds of apples without piercing the bottom. Divide peanut butter mixture evenly among apple halves.
  • Lightly flour counter and remove only one dough rectangle from the fridge. Sprinkle dough with flour and working quickly, roll dough into a 12 inch square and cut int half and half again to form 4 6-inch squares. Place apple, cut side up, in center of each square. Lift dough corners, to meet on top of apple half and crimp edges to seal. Repeat with other refrigerated dough ball and remaining apples.
  • Line dumplings on prepared baking sheet and cut a vent hole in the top of each dumpling. Brush dumplings all over with egg whites and sprinkle with remaining sugar mixture. Bake until golden, 20-25 minutes. Let dumplings cool on sheet for 10 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, prepare Caramel Sauce. When ready to serve, drizzle desired amount of caramel over dumplings and serve with vanilla ice cream if desired.

Notes

*Total time does not include dough chilling

STORAGE 

Apple Dumplings can be kept, covered, at room temperature for up to 2 days, however, refrigerating apple dumplings can prolong their freshness.  To refrigerate, store in an airtight container and refrigerate for 4-5 days.

HOW TO MAKE AHEAD 

  • You can either make the dough, tightly wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours or you can make the unbaked apple dumplings up to 48 hours ahead of time.
  • To make Apple Dumplings ahead of time, place unbaked dumplings on parchment paper, cover with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate.  Let the apple dumplings come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking to ensure the inside is fully warmed when the outside is golden.

HOW TO FREEZE

  1. Place the baked apple dumplings on a baking sheet so they are not touching.
  2. Place baking sheet in the freezer and flash freeze for 1-2 hours or until apple dumplings are solid. This allows the dumplings to be stored together without freezing together.
  3. Transfer frozen dumplings to an airtight container or freezer bag and squeeze out excess air.
  4. Freeze for 2-4 months.

HOW TO REHEAT APPLE DUMPLINGS

  • Baked Apple Dumplings in Oven:  Place baked apple dumplings on a rimmed baking sheet, loosely cover with foil (because the outside is already golden), and bake at 350 degrees F for 10 to 12 minutes.
  • Baked Apple Dumplings in Microwave:  Place baked apple dumplings on a microwave safe plate and microwave until warmed, about 15-30 seconds.
  • From Frozen Baked in Oven:  Defrost the apple dumpling in the refrigerator.  Place them on a rimmed baking sheet, loosely cover with foil (because the outside is already golden), and bake at 350 degrees F for 10 to 12 minutes.
  • From Frozen Baked in the Microwave: defrost dumpling in the microwave on the defrost setting for 5 minutes or until thawed, then microwave at full power for 30 seconds or until heated though.
  • From Frozen Unbaked in Oven: Place frozen dumplings on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake without thawing at 450 F, 15-20 minutes, then reduce heat to 375  F for 20-30 minutes or until golden and warmed through.