Baked apple dumplings are the perfect fall treat and they’ll have your house smelling deliciously warm and cozy. Temperatures are cooling down and the leaves are beginning to change. It’s the perfect season to bake up a batch of these baked apple dumplings and invite your friends and family over for a warm and cozy treat.

I’ll be honest; this was my first time making baked apple dumplings. Want to know why? It’s because I always thought they were too complicated and “difficult” to make, so I avoided them. As I’ve become more adventurous in the kitchen, I decided it was time to try my hand at baked apple dumplings.

The verdict is they are relatively easy to make, especially with the use of store-bought pie crust. There’s no shame in my simple baking game, and you’ll find that with some of my dessert recipes I’ll use store-bought pie crusts, like with my brûleed eggnog custard pie or even cake mixes, like with my maple bacon spice cupcakes, or orange Moscato cupcakes. It’s a simple shortcut that makes creating these baked easy for the amateur baker – like me!

Ingredients needed:

To make these easy baked apple dumplings, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 6 Granny Smith apples (peeled and cored)
• 1 pkg double pie crust
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon – divided
• 4 Tbsp butter – divided
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 cup water

How to make baked apple dumplings

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 
2. Remove the pie crust from the package. Using a rolling pin, roll the corners of the pie crust out until the dough forms a large square. Cut the square into four equal squares. Continue the same process with the second pie crust. 
3. In a small bowl, combine 1/3 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 tsp cinnamon. Mix to combine and set aside. 
4. Begin assembling your apple dumplings. Place one apple in the center of one of your small square pie crust pieces. Place 1/4 tbsp butter down into the core of the apple. Then, spoon 2 tsp. of the cinnamon and sugar mixture into the core of the apple. 
5. Next, grab the opposite end corners of the square and pull them up to meet on the top of the apple. Pinch to seal the corners together. Do the same with the other opposite corners, bringing them up to meet on the top of the apple and pinch to seel together. Using your fingers, pinch the dough together down the sides of the apples so that the apple is fully enclosed in the pie crust dough. If you want, you can cut out tiny fall leaves using a small leaf pastry stamper and then place them at the top of each dumpling.
6. Place into a 9×13 baking dish and repeat this process with the remaining apples.
7. In a saucepan, add the brown sugar, water, 1/2 tsp of cinnamon, and 3 tbsp of butter. Heat on medium, stirring occasionally, until everything is melted and combined. Pour over apples in the baking dish. 
8. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the pie crust is golden and flaky. If you’d like, you can baste the apples with sauce mid-baking. 

Recipe FAQs and Variations

Do I need to use store-bought pie crust?

For this recipe, and for your first attempt, I suggest using store-bought pie crust dough. Now, if you’re 100 percent comfortable making your own pie crust from scratch, feel free to use your own recipe. However, if this is completely new to you, I would make that part of the recipe easy by using a store-bought pie crust.

What’s the best apple to use for apple dumplings?

I always like to use Granny Smith apples for baking, like in this recipe. You could also use Jonagold or Honeycrisp apples.

Do you have to refrigerate apple dumplings?

You do not have to refrigerate leftover baked apple dumplings. You can simply cover the dish and store on the counter for up to three days. However, you can refrigerate if preferred, and they will last a little longer – about a week. To reheat, place back into the oven at the same baking temperature until warm.

These baked apple dumplings smell absolutely amazing while baking. Once they’re finished, enjoy the buttery soft baked apple surrounded by the flaky golden pie crust. Don’t forget to add some extra sauce to your plate, too!

Recommended kitchen tools for this recipe

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Enjoy these other fall fruit recipes!

• Gluten-Free Mini Apple Galettes – easy individual apple galettes with instructions for gluten-free or not
• Red Wine Poached Pears – a simple yet elegant dessert recipe
• Orange Cranberry Bread Pudding – another delicious individual-sized dessert
• Apple Upside Down Cake – a fall twist on this classic cake dessert
• Gluten-Free Cast Iron Apple Pie – an easy skillet apple pie dessert
• Vegan Pear Hazelnut Crisp with Miso Caramel – from Well-Fed Soul
• Baked Apples with Ginger, Dates, and Pecans – from Hot Pan Kitchen

Grab a copy of Gather – A Thanksgiving Cookbook to create a memorable holiday meal!

Baked Apple Dumplings: