It's time for another edition of "Sugar High Fridays", the sweet-toothed sister event to "Is My Blog Burning?". This month's theme is very seasonal, apples!
My first thought was baked apples stuffed with mincemeat (I'm still working my way through a huge jar), but then I remembered coming across an article on Amish Apple Dumplings which sounded both simple and delicious. The apples are filled with a mixture of butter and sugar, then baked within the confines of a pastry shell. I suppose it's rather like an individual apple pie.... Dave was quite keen on the idea too, so that settled it.
There are quite a lot of recipes for baked apple dumplings online; after looking at a few it all got rather bewildering. So, I made up my own.
The apples were gorgeous; really sweet, buttery, juicy and spicy. The pastry kept almost all the juices in and surprisingly it didn't go soggy! I don't think there was quite enough spicing though, so next time I'd probably up the spice mix to a full teaspoon. We ate the apples with plenty of single cream, but it would be equally as nice with vanilla ice-cream, maple syrup or a butterscotch sauce. I'm looking forward to investigating the possibilities!
Baked Apple Dumplings
Serves 2
small pack of sweet shortcrust pastry, or enough pastry for a single pie crust
2 medium eating apples (I used Royal Gala)
10g unsalted butter
30g soft dark brown sugar
about 1/2 teaspoon "Christmas Spice" (or a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, cardamon)
Preheat oven to 150C / Gas Mark 3.
Cream together the butter, sugar and spices. Peel and core the apples, set aside.
Divide the pastry in two and roll out each piece to make a circle big enough to completely cover the apple. Don't make it too big, the pastry needs to be quite thick. Place an apple in the centre of the pastry and fill the cavity with half the sugar mixture.
Bring up the rest of the pastry and crimp it into place with your fingertips. It should completely enclose the apple. (My pastry fell apart and I had to stick bits back on, but it still worked in the end!) Repeat with the second apple.
Place apples in a greased 8"x8" tin and bake for 35-40 minutes until the pastry is golden and the apple is completely tender when tested with a skewer. Baste with juices if any bubble out of the pastry.
Cool for at least 10 minutes before serving with cream.
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thankfully i had some apple crumble yesterday or else i would be craving for your dumplings! i've never heard of apple dumplings but will make sure i try some soon!
1. Posted by becky on November 20, 2007
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This looks wonderful! I've always been curious about baked apple dumplings--the name is so darn cute. Now I'll have to try it.
2. Posted by Debbie on November 20, 2007
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What a fantastic idea! I never heard of this, but I'm all for baked apples and/or apple pie - this way I can have both at the same time! You mention an apple spice Angela - could I persuade you to let me in on what's in that?
3. Posted by Zarah Maria on November 20, 2007
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Hi Becky! I'd never heard of apple dumplings until recently; it's definitely worth giving them a try :)
Hi Debbie! Thanks! They're really easy to make - it took me about five minutes to put them together....
Hi Zarah Maria! The spice I used was "Sainsbury's Christmas Spice". It's really supposed to be used in Christmas cakes and puddings but it's great in pies, quick chutneys and cakes. It contains cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, coriander and cardamon. I think it would be great with all apple-y things :)
4. Posted by Angela on November 20, 2007
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Angela - your apple dumplings look so good! Quick, easy and yummy - perfect!
5. Posted by Cathy on November 20, 2007
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Thanks Cathy :) I was really surprised by how yummy it turned out, considering how simple the dish is.
6. Posted by Angela on November 20, 2007
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So when are you going to become a personal chef? :-) These look absolutely scrumptious and like they took all morning to make, rather than five minutes!
7. Posted by Prim on November 20, 2007
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*blushes* thanks Prim! No plans to become a personal chef though; that'd take all the fun out of things!
8. Posted by Angela on November 20, 2007