Apple Dumplings

Makes 4 large dumplings

For the dough:

• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 1¼ tsp kosher salt
• 8 tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• ¼ cup vegetable shortening
• 3 to 4 tbsp cold water

For the filling:

• 3 apples (I like Empire), peeled, cored, and cut into pieces the size of a standard Lego brick
• ⅓ cup sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp kosher salt

For the glaze:*

• ⅔ cup sugar
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp kosher salt

*In some parts of the country, in lieu of a homemade glaze, bakers use a can of Mountain Dew, 7UP, or Sprite. I’m cheering you on, whatever path you choose.

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease an 8-inch square baking dish with pan spray.

Make the dough: Combine the flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Add the butter and shortening and with clean hands or a dinner fork, mix until the fats are broken down to pea-size clumps. Add in 3 tablespoons of water and mix just until the dough comes together; if it does not, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of water.

Do not overwork the dough! Turn it out onto a floured work surface, pat it into a 4-inch square, wrap it in plastic, and set aside to rest at room temperature for 20 minutes.

Make the filling: In a medium bowl, toss the apples, sugar, cinnamon, and salt together.

Make the glaze: In a small saucepan combine 1½ cups of water with the sugar, butter, cinnamon, and salt. Heat the butter mixture on low for 2 minutes.

Alternatively, combine the ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl and heat on high in 20-second spurts for a total of 2 minutes.

Make the dumplings: Unwrap the dough and set it on a well-floured work surface. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough into a 14-inch square; it should be thicker than your average pie crust. Cut the dough into 4 equal squares. Spoon one quarter of the filling into the center of each square. Using a metal spatula, lift up the corners of each square to meet in the center and press the edges of the dough together to seal the filling inside. Put each apple packet into a quadrant of the prepared baking dish. Pour the glaze over the tops of the dumplings and into the baking dish, filling it about three-quarters of the way to the top.

Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, until the dumpling tops are golden brown and the glaze has bubbled and reduced down to a syrupy consistency. Cool slightly in the dish before serving warm or at room temperature.

Here's a teaser of how they look fresh out of the oven, courtesy of @somelikeitsalty

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Maciel Pereda (@somelikeitsalty)