Gourmet Caramel Apple Delight Dumplings
Indulge in these Gourmet Caramel Apple Delight Dumplings, a heavenly dessert perfect for any occasion. Each fluffy puff pastry dumpling envelops a tender, spiced apple, stuffed with a delightful blend of brown sugar and cinnamon. Baked until golden brown and drizzled with smooth caramel sauce, these dumplings not only taste exquisite but also provide a visually stunning presentation. Serve them warm with a dollop of Cool Whip or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an irresistible treat that your friends and family will love. This easy-to-make dessert relies on prepared puff pastry, making it a quick yet impressive option for those sweet cravings!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Frozen puff pastry
1 sheet (Thawed and unfolded)
Cooking apples (Golden Delicious or Jonathan)
4 medium (Peeled, cored, and bottoms trimmed)
Brown sugar or Splenda brown sugar blend
4 tablespoons (N/A)
Unsalted butter or margarine
2 tablespoons (Melted)
Cinnamon
1 teaspoon (N/A)
Egg
1 (Lightly beaten)
Water
1 teaspoon (N/A)
Sugar or Splenda sugar substitute
1 teaspoon (N/A)
Lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon (For browning apples)
Prepared caramel ice cream topping
1/2 cup (Heated before serving)
Toasted chopped pecan halves
1/3 cup (Heated before serving)
Cool Whip
as desired (Optional for serving)
Vanilla ice cream
as desired (Optional for serving)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
Thaw the puff pastry sheet and unfold it on a lightly floured surface. Roll the pastry into a 16-inch square.
3
Cut the square into 4 equal pieces.
4
Peel and core the medium-sized apples, trimming the bottoms to ensure they sit flat.
5
If you're concerned about browning, lightly brush the cut apples with 1/4 teaspoon of lemon juice.
6
In a bowl, combine the brown sugar (or brown sugar Splenda), butter (or margarine), and cinnamon to create a filling.
7
Spoon the sweet mixture into the center of each apple.
8
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the beaten egg and water to create an egg wash.
9
Moisten the edges of the puff pastry squares with the egg wash.
10
Carefully fold the pastry up around each apple, sealing them securely and creating pleats as necessary.
11
Arrange the dumplings in an ungreased 9x13 inch baking dish.
12
Brush the tops with the remaining egg wash and sprinkle with granulated sugar (or Splenda).
13
Bake the dumplings for 35 minutes or until they are golden brown.
14
Once the dumplings are ready, heat the caramel sauce and toasted pecans in a small saucepan.
15
Transfer a warm dumpling to a serving plate, and generously drizzle the caramel sauce over the top.
16
Garnish with Cool Whip or vanilla ice cream, if desired, for an added touch of creaminess.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Gourmet Caramel Apple Delight Dumplings?
They are a heavenly dessert featuring tender spiced apples wrapped in fluffy puff pastry, baked until golden, and drizzled with a smooth caramel sauce.
What type of apples should be used for this recipe?
The recipe recommends using medium-sized cooking apples such as Golden Delicious or Jonathan.
How many dumplings does this recipe make?
This recipe yields 4 individual apple dumplings by cutting the puff pastry into 4 equal pieces.
What oven temperature is required for baking?
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) before baking the dumplings.
How should the puff pastry be prepared?
Thaw one sheet of puff pastry, unfold it on a lightly floured surface, and roll it into a 16-inch square.
How do you prepare the apples before stuffing?
Peel and core the apples, and trim the bottoms to ensure they sit flat inside the pastry.
How can I prevent the apples from turning brown?
Lightly brush the cut apples with 1/4 teaspoon of lemon juice to prevent browning.
What is in the apple filling?
The filling is a mixture of 4 tablespoons of brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of melted butter or margarine, and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon.
Can I use a sugar substitute in this recipe?
Yes, you can use Splenda brown sugar blend for the filling and Splenda sugar substitute for the topping.
How do I make the egg wash?
Whisk together one lightly beaten egg and one teaspoon of water in a small bowl.
How do I seal the puff pastry around the apple?
Moisten the pastry edges with egg wash, then fold the pastry up around the apple, creating pleats and sealing it securely.
What size baking dish is needed?
Arrange the dumplings in an ungreased 9x13 inch baking dish.
What do I sprinkle on the dumplings before baking?
After brushing with egg wash, sprinkle the tops with one teaspoon of granulated sugar or Splenda.
How long do the dumplings bake?
Bake the dumplings for 35 minutes or until they reach a golden brown color.
How do I prepare the caramel topping?
Heat 1/2 cup of prepared caramel ice cream topping and 1/3 cup of toasted pecans in a small saucepan.
How should the dumplings be served?
Serve the dumplings warm, drizzled with the heated caramel-pecan sauce and topped with Cool Whip or vanilla ice cream.
Is this a quick recipe to make?
Yes, using prepared puff pastry makes this an impressive yet quick dessert option.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, you can use 2 tablespoons of melted margarine instead of unsalted butter.
Are the pecans necessary for this recipe?
The pecans provide crunch and flavor to the sauce, but they can be omitted if you have a nut allergy.
What makes the apples tender in this recipe?
Baking the peeled and cored apples inside the pastry at 400°F for 35 minutes ensures they become soft and tender.
What kind of caramel sauce is used?
The recipe calls for a prepared caramel ice cream topping.
Is the baking dish greased?
No, the recipe specifies using an ungreased baking dish.
How do I handle the puff pastry if it gets too soft?
If the pastry becomes too soft to handle, briefly chill it in the refrigerator before folding it around the apples.
Should the caramel sauce be drizzled before or after baking?
The caramel sauce should be heated and drizzled over the warm dumplings after they have finished baking.
Can I serve this with whipped cream?
Yes, serving with Cool Whip is a recommended option for added creaminess.
How do I core an apple without a corer?
You can use a small paring knife or a melon baller to carefully remove the core from the center of the apple.
What is the primary spice used in the filling?
The primary spice used in the apple filling is cinnamon.
Why is the puff pastry rolled into a 16-inch square?
Rolling it to this size ensures you have four 8x8 inch squares, which provide enough dough to fully encase each medium apple.
Can I use different nuts instead of pecans?
Yes, toasted walnuts or almonds would also work well with the caramel sauce.
What should the texture of the pastry be like after baking?
The pastry should be flaky, light, and golden brown.