Grandmother's Apple Dumplings
For as long as I remember, Grandmother's house was one of my favorite places to visit. She
always had fresh baked fruit pies, seasoned pretzels, cookies, fruit, and my favorite: her delicious apple dumplings. To make a long story short, my grandmother started baking shoo-fly pies for a small road side market approximately fourty years ago.
My grandmother added fresh fruit pies to the list, and eventually started making apple dumplings were an immediate hit with everyone that tried them. The sweet syrup, the fruit, and the pastry dough were a delectable combination that she became known for. Grandmothers pastries were sold at farmer's markets, trade shows, grocery stores and fairs.
When I was growing up, I went over to her house all the time to help her bake. I treasure the memories that were made (such as me and my cousin making such a mess while helping). I still make the dumplings every now and then for friends- they're especially delicious served with vanilla icecream!
Here is the recipe:
4 apples, peeled, cut in half and cored.
Brown sugar
Granulated sugar
cinnamon
butter
Pre-made pie dough or recipe below
Pie dough:
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter
1/4 cup cold water
1 Tbsp granulates sugar 3 Tbsp brown sugar
In small mixing bowl, mix together flour, sugar and salt then cut in butter. Rub mixture between hands until lumps are gone, then add water. Do not make dough too wet, just wet enough to roll. I usually don’t add quite all the water, since it comes out flakier with less water.
Peel and core apples, set aside and roll out dough on lightly floured surface. Cut into 4 pieces and place 1/2 apple on square, middle side up. Fill center with 1/4 teaspoon brown sugar, 1/4 tsp granulated sugar, and small sliver of butter, then sprinkle cinnamon on top. Place other half of apple on top and wrap dough around apple. Place each apple into baking pan.
While finishing apples, simmer syrup of 1cup water, 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1 Tbsp butter on stove. When all apples are in the pan, pour syrup over apples making sure to make all dough wet. (This will help them get golden brown). Put in oven and bake at 350F for 45 minutes. Serve hot with vanilla ice-cream or milk.
For a healthier version, slice 1 teaspoon butter into apple instead of sugar, sprinkle with cinnamon, a little nutmeg and drops of vanilla, then wrap in dough. Brush with 1 beaten egg instead of using syrup. Bake at 350F for 45 minutes.
ENJOY! -Kate Stoltz
33 comments
Kate, this sounds amazing! I have enjoyed so much watching your shows and how much you have changed but no matter what your faith, friendliness and spirituality always come through. Please don’t let the New York fashion business bring you down. You will succeed! Now if someone like you were to make styles for plus size women that were affordable to us middle class ladies my daughter, Jamie, and I would be the first ones in line! Your work with Mary this year on Return to Amish has been inspiring to a younger generation that sees how the older generations should be revered. Take care and if you ever get down to Williamsburg, Virginia, please look me up. I’d love to show you around the Historic Triangle, birthplace of a Nation.
Annette Gilbert
Williamsburg, VA
Thank you for this recepie. I often shop at the Amish market in Princeton New Jersey and the baked goods are wonderful. Please share other recepies with us.
Grandma’s baked goods & food is always the best. And it’s amazing what the smell of a fresh baked pie can bring back a rush of love g memories. Thank you Kate for sharing her recipe with us. I am going to try it. My grandmother was pa.dutch & I loved her baked apple dumplings too.
And I hope all is going well with your dress designing career I wish you nothing but the best!
You are such a sweet & giving person thank you for being you.
Thank you for placing this on your FB page. I can’t wait to try this out on my family. I’m sure they will love it.
Thank you for putting this on your FB page. I can’t wait to try this out on my family.