Old-Fashioned Apple Dumplings Recipe
You only need 5 ingredients to make this old-fashioned apple dumplings recipe. The cinnamon-spiced apples are baked in flaky biscuit dough and buttery sugar syrup and are ah-mazingly delicious.
I am so excited to bring you this homemade apple dumplings recipe today. The weather is starting to turn cooler here and has brought with it thoughts of beef stew and apple dumplings. Of course, I love apples cooked in any form; whether that’s in my apple dapple cake, fried apples, apple pie, or these delicious apple dumplings.
This is an old-fashioned apple dumpling recipe is very forgiving, so don’t be scared of adding or adjusting the ingredients to suit your taste. As mentioned, you only need 5 main ingredients: canned biscuit dough, apples, sugar, butter, and cinnamon. Many apple dumpling recipes use pie dough, but we’re keeping things simple with canned biscuits.
Now, the steps are as simple as the ingredients for these . Just peel and chop the apples, toss them in the cinnamon, and then add them to the biscuit dough pieces. Once you have that assembled in your baking dish, it’s time to make the syrup! This is the best part! We place pats of butter on the dumplings, sprinkle them with sugar, and then pour boiling water over the top before baking.
When it’s time to serve your apple dumplings, pour the sugar syrup over the flaky buttery dough with tender pieces of cinnamon apple inside. Can you think of a better fall dessert? Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream to complete the meal.
Recipe Ingredients
- Granulated sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Canned biscuits
- Fresh apples
- Butter
How to Make Old-Fashioned Apple Dumplings
Peel and slice your apples however you want.
Place your diced apples in a mixing bowl and sprinkle with cinnamon.
Stir to coat.
Take each biscuit and roll it out as best you can on waxed or parchment paper.
Don’t roll it too thin. Just roll it out enough to be able to put some apple filling in the center.
Put a heaping tablespoon of apple filling in the center of each one.
After you put the filling in each round of dough, fold up the sides and press them together so they look like little square packets.
Place all of your dumplings in a baking dish (I’m using a 9×13).
Top each with a small pat of butter.
Sprinkle the remaining apples over them.
If you don’t have apples left, don’t worry about it.
Sprinkle your white sugar over the dumplings.
Gently pour boiling water over the dumplings.
I know this seems strange pouring water over this but trust me, it will turn into a delicious syrup.
Bake at 350 for one hour.
They’ll look golden brown like this and smell amazing once done.
Now grab a big spoonful of apple dumplings…
Pop them on your plate…
And add a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Now sit back and enjoy fall and all the wonderful flavors that it brings!
Storage
Store leftover in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. I recommend reheating them in the oven before serving so they crisp up once more.
Recipe Notes
- While prepping the apples, I strongly recommend opening the biscuits, taking them apart, and laying them out on wax paper to come to room temperature. This makes the biscuits easier to roll out.
- If you don’t like cinnamon, the apple dumplings are just as good without it. I have had them both ways and love them either way.
- On the other hand, you can also add other spices, like 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg. You can also substitute the cinnamon for apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice.
- Something else you can add to the apple filling? 1/2 cup of brown sugar for even sweeter apple dumplings! You can also substitute the white sugar in the sugar syrup for brown sugar.
Recipe FAQs
How do you serve old-fashioned apple dumplings?
They taste great on their own, but I highly recommend serving them alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or some whipped cream (here’s my homemade recipe). Some people also add a drizzle of caramel sauce, but I personally think the syrup is sweet enough.
Do you put milk on apple dumplings?
I’ve heard some people pour milk over the apple dumplings before serving. I’ve never done this but you can give it a go if you like.
What are the best apples for dumplings?
Granny Smith apples are always the best for baking. However, other crisp apple varieties that would work well include Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Jonagold, Macintosh, and Golden Delicious.
You may also like these appetizing apple recipes:
Apple Cobbler With Crescent Rolls
Apple Cake With Caramel Fudge Icing
Ingredients
- 2 10-count cans biscuits
- 3 Granny Smith apples
- ¾ stick butter or margarine
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Prep: Boil water (enough to completely cover the dumplings and then another 1/2 cup). Then let biscuits sit out while you peel and chop apples, as they're easier to roll out that way.2 10-count cans biscuits
- Peel and chop apples into small pieces. Place in a bowl and sprinkle with cinnamon, stirring to coat.3 Granny Smith apples, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Roll out biscuit dough and put a heaping tablespoon of apples in the center. Pull the biscuit around the apples and pinch to seal.2 10-count cans biscuits
- Place dumplings (pinched side down) in a 13x9 casserole dish. Repeat the process until all 20 dumplings are made and placed in the baking dish.
- Cut butter into pats and place on top of dumplings. Pour any remaining apple pieces on top of the dumplings.¾ stick butter or margarine
- Sprinkle sugar over the dumplings.1 cup granulated sugar
- Then pour boiling water gently over the dumplings. Pour water until it completely covers the dumplings, then add about another ½ cup. Trust me, the water will turn into delicious syrup.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
“A Man Cannot Have a Pure Mind If He Refuses Apple Dumplings”
~ Charles Lamb 1775-1834
Hi Christy!~
I made these tonight…and they were really good. I used the pyrex 13x9x2 and the flakey biscuits. I do not think the pyrex dish was deep enough or I filled my dumplings too full as I could not completely cover the dumplings with the boiling water. They kind of burnt on top…please help me! I did use one more apple than the recipe said! Cut the tops off and they were good. I want to try again ….. suggestions? Thank you!
It does sound like you used too much filling. Try making them a little “skinnier” next time. Your oven may also cook a little hotter than mine, you may also try cutting the temperature by 25 degrees if the “skinnier” dumplings doesn’t work.
Christi,
Made the dumplings tonight, when I took it out of oven it still had slot of water in it and the bottom of the biscuits are wet. Is it supposed to be like that or does it have to sit after taking out of oven??… It has made my house smell awesome… I completely covered the dumplings like recipe said … Help
Thanks
Kathleen
Christy,
How would these be with the flakey biscuits? Sounds delicious. Very easy and i have saved the recipe.
Linda
I feel like I was in the kitchen w/ Mama and Grandmama. You’re blessed to have both of them in your life. I am blessed to be sharing their stories and recipes with you! Thank you. We’re headin’ to the apple orchard Sunday and taking the grandchildren so I know what will be tops on my list…apple dumplings. YUM!!!
I made these apple dumplings tonite and they are delicious!! My husband thought those dumplings were great and how soft they were. I am going to try this with pears!!! Hope they are just as good!!!!
I am so glad to hear that y’all enjoyed them!! I think they would be wonderful with pears!!!
If you try pears,adding cardamom is delicious!
Oh heavens! This sounds like my mother in law used to. she taught me so many good things and she raised me one heck of a husband. God bless them all and thanks for the story. I enjoyed it soooo much. Made me teary.
I agree with Wendy Hampton. Your post made me miss my mama and mama in law. Got me teary too. Thanks.
This just made me smile when I read this, thx for helping to start my day with a smile and a laugh. Oh yeah, and a yummy recipe too.