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Best Easy Lighter Apple Dumplings with Cinnamon Sugar Sauce

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These Lighter Apple Dumplings with Cinnamon Sugar Sauce are everything you want in a cozy dessert without the heavy feeling afterward. Flaky pastry, tender apples, and a luscious cinnamon sauce come together in about an hour for a comforting treat that’s perfect for fall gatherings or a quiet night in.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2/3 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
  • 5–6 tablespoons ice water
  • 4 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Make the pastry: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Add the cold butter cubes and use a pastry cutter (or your fingertips) to work the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse meal with some pea-sized butter pieces remaining. Drizzle in the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, stirring with a fork until the dough just comes together. Form into a disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Prepare the apples: While the dough chills, peel and core the apples. Leave them whole. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Roll each apple in the lemon juice, then coat evenly with the sugar-spice mixture. Set aside.
  3. Make the sauce: In a small saucepan, combine the water, granulated sugar, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the butter melts. Remove from heat and set aside.
  4. Assemble the dumplings: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough into a 16×12-inch rectangle, about 1/8-inch thick. Cut into four equal squares. Place one apple in the center of each square. Bring the corners of the dough up over the apple, pinching the seams to seal.
  5. Bake: Place the dumplings in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, seam-side down. Pour the cinnamon sugar sauce around (not over) the dumplings. Brush the tops with a little milk or cream for a golden finish. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown and the apples are tender when pierced with a fork. Halfway through, spoon some of the sauce over the tops to keep them moist.
  6. Rest and serve: Let the dumplings cool in the dish for 5 minutes before serving. Spoon extra sauce over each dumpling when you serve them.

Notes

Keep everything cold for flaky pastry. Don’t overwork the dough. Use a sharp knife for coring apples. Check for doneness early; ovens vary. Let the sauce bubble to thicken. Multitask wisely while dough chills.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple dumplings, lighter apple dumplings, cinnamon sugar sauce, easy apple dessert, fall dessert, comfort food, healthier dessert

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