Grandma’s Apple Dumplings

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
• 6 to 8 tablespoons cold water
• 4 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well), peeled, cored, and sliced
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (to thicken)
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• 1/4 cup caramel sauce (optional, for drizzling)

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Add 1 cup of chilled, cubed unsalted butter. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. Gradually add 6 to 8 tablespoons of cold water, mixing until the dough comes together. Do not overmix. Divide the dough into two equal parts, shape into disks, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
3. In a large bowl, mix sliced apples with 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour. Toss until apples are evenly coated. Set aside.
4. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). On a floured surface, roll out one disk of pastry dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into 6-8 squares, depending on the size of your apples.
5. Place a generous spoonful of the apple filling in the center of each square. Fold the corners over the filling, pinching to seal securely. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
6. Place the dumplings on a greased baking sheet. Brush the tops with the beaten egg to give them a beautiful golden color while baking.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown and flaky. The apples should be tender and the filling bubbling slightly out of the dumplings.
8. Allow the dumplings to cool for a few minutes before serving. Drizzle with caramel sauce if desired, and enjoy the comforting flavors of this homemade apple dessert!