Apple Cinnamon Delight

Ingredients

• 4 medium-sized apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp) 4 medium-sized apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice (30ml) 2 tablespoons lemon juice (30ml)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g) 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 cups all-purpose flour (240g) 2 cups all-purpose flour (240g)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed (226g) 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed (226g)
• 1/2 cup ice water (120ml) 1/2 cup ice water (120ml)
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (57g) 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (57g)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar (50g) 1/4 cup brown sugar (50g)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, for sprinkling 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, for sprinkling

Nutrition

• Calories: 380 kcal / 1590 kJ
• Fat: 21g (Saturated Fat: 13g)
• Carbohydrates: 47g (Sugar: 26g)
• Protein: 3g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 0.3g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F).
2. 2.
   Peel and core the apples, then cut them into quarters. Toss the apple slices with lemon juice to prevent browning.
3. 3.
   In a small bowl, combine granulated sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
4. 4.
   In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Add the cold cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
5. 5.
   Gradually add ice water, a tablespoon at a time, and mix until the dough comes together. Divide the dough into 4 equal portions and shape each into a disk. Wrap them in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
6. 6.
   On a lightly floured surface, roll out each dough portion into a circle large enough to wrap an apple quarter.
7. 7.
   Place an apple quarter in the center of each dough circle. Sprinkle the apple with the cinnamon-sugar mixture and fold the dough over the apple, sealing the edges.
8. 8.
   Arrange the dumplings in a baking dish. Pour the melted butter over the dumplings and sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon.
9. 9.
   Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the dumplings are golden brown and the apples are tender.
10. 10.
    Serve the dumplings warm, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Apples — Choose firm apples that hold their shape when baked, such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.
• Butter — Make sure the butter is cold when incorporating it into the dough for a flaky texture.
• Lemon juice — The lemon juice prevents the apple slices from browning.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra touch of sweetness, sprinkle the dumplings with powdered sugar before serving.
• Experiment with different apple varieties to find your favorite flavor combination.
• Serve the dumplings warm for the best texture and taste.
• If you prefer a softer apple texture, pre-cook the apple slices for a few minutes before wrapping them in the dough.
• Add a pinch of cloves or ginger to the cinnamon-sugar mixture for a more complex flavor profile.

Serving advice

Serve the Apple Cinnamon Dumplings warm as a delightful dessert. Top them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra indulgence.

Presentation advice

Arrange the golden-brown dumplings on a dessert plate, allowing the flaky pastry to be visible. Dust them with powdered sugar and garnish with a sprig of fresh mint for an elegant touch.