If you’re looking for a warm and comforting dessert that’s perfect for chilly evenings or a cozy family gathering, Mennonite Apple Dumplings are sure to hit the spot. These delightful treats combine tender apples with a flaky pastry crust and a sweet, buttery sauce that brings it all together. The aroma of cinnamon and fresh apples baking in the oven will fill your home with the most inviting scents, making these dumplings a favorite for all ages.
**Mennonite Apple Dumplings**
**Ingredients:**
– 6 small to medium-sized apples, peeled and cored
– 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
– 3/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 cup cold water
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 1 cup water
– 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
– Additional cinnamon for sprinkling
– Vanilla ice cream (optional, for serving)
**Instructions:**
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and cut it into the flour using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the cold water and mix until the dough comes together. Do not overmix.
3. On a floured surface, roll out the dough into a large rectangle. Cut the dough into 6 equal squares.
4. Place an apple in the center of each square. Sprinkle the inside of each apple with cinnamon.
5. Fold the dough over the apple, pinching the seams tightly to seal. Place the dumplings in the prepared baking dish.
6. In a saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, water, and cinnamon. Bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat.
7. Pour the hot sugar sauce over the dumplings in the baking dish.
8. Sprinkle additional cinnamon over the tops of the dumplings.
9. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the pastry is golden brown.
10. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 5-10 minutes to crisp up the pastry.
11. Serve the warm Mennonite Apple Dumplings with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, if desired.
Mennonite Apple Dumplings are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven when the pastry is still warm and flaky, and the apples are soft and sweet. This classic dessert is a delightful way to showcase seasonal apples and create a memorable treat for your family and friends. So, take some time to bake up a batch of these comforting apple dumplings and savor the cozy flavors of fall.
