Everyone loves a delicious dessert, and the Cracker Barrel Apple Dumpling is no exception. Perfectly combining sweet and savory flavors, this dish is both delightful and easy to make.
A flaky puff pastry crust envelops a perfectly cooked Granny Smith apple half, filled with a combination of white sugar, dry breadcrumbs, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and a pinch of egg for binding it all together. To top it off, a crunchy pecan streusel is sprinkled on top for an extra layer of flavor. Preparing this dish only takes 40 minutes from start to finish – 20 minutes to prepare the ingredients and another 20 minutes to bake in the oven.
Not only does this delectable treat taste great, but it looks amazing too! Cut into 6-inch squares and served warm with confectioners’ sugar and vanilla glaze drizzled over top makes for the perfect presentation. This scrumptious dessert can be enjoyed alone or shared with family and friends at any occasion – holiday dinners, summer barbecues or intimate dinners at home. Serve them up as part of an impressive dessert platter or as individual servings – either way they’re sure to please!
The best part? It doesn’t take much effort to put together these delightful treats! With only 8 ingredients needed (not including kitchen staples like butter, milk and eggs) you can easily whip up a batch without breaking the bank or stressing out about getting everything ready in time for your next gathering or potluck dinner. And if you happen to have leftovers? They freeze quite nicely so you can enjoy them again another day!
So why not give the Cracker Barrel Apple Dumplings a try? Not only are they simple yet stunning looking desserts that bring pleasure to both young ones and seasoned adults alike; they also make for an easy solution when you need something special for your guests without having to spend hours in the kitchen preparing intricate dishes. So go ahead – indulge yourself in some delicious sweet & savory goodness today!
Ingredients Overview For Cracker Barrel Apple Dumpling Recipe
Frozen Puff Pastry
The puff pastry crust is a perfect way to encase the cooked Granny Smith apple half, filled with a combination of white sugar, dry breadcrumbs, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and a pinch of egg for binding it all together.
White Sugar
White sugar helps to sweeten the filling and binds all of the ingredients together.
Dry Breadcrumbs
The breadcrumbs give a nice texture to the filling and also help to bind it together.
Ground Cinnamon & Nutmeg
These two spices add a wonderful flavor to the filling, giving it that extra depth of taste.
Egg
The egg yolk is used as a binder in order for the mixture to hold its shape when cooked.
Granny Smith Apples
The tartness of the Granny Smith apples give this dish a nice balance of sweetness and savory flavor.
Confectioners’ Sugar & Vanilla Glaze
For the finishing touch, mix together confectioners’ sugar and vanilla with milk until a drizzling consistency is reached and pour it over cooled dumplings.
Milk
Milk is used to thin out the confectioners’ sugar and vanilla glaze.
Toasted Pecans
Toasted pecans give a nice crunchy topping to the dumplings.
Brown Sugar
Brown sugar is used as an alternative to white sugar in the filling. It gives it a richer, more complex flavor.
All-Purpose Flour
Flour is used to thicken the filling slightly.
Butter
Butter helps to hold the mixture together and adds extra flavor.
Ingredients Measurements:
- 2 Sheets Frozen Puff Pastry (Thawed)
- 1/2 Cup White Sugar
- 1/3 Cup Dry Breadcrumbs
- 1 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1/4 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
- 1 Egg Yolk, Beaten
- 4 Granny Smith Apples, Peeled And Cored Into 8 Slices Each
- 2 Tablespoons Melted Butter
- 2 Tablespoons All Purpose Flour
- 1/4 Cup Toasted Pecans, Chopped Finely
For the Glaze Topping:
- 2 Cups Confectioners’ Sugar
- 3 Tablespoons Milk
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Substitutions
- If you don’t have any puff pastry handy, you can use pre-made pie crust instead.
- You can substitute brown sugar for white sugar if desired.
- Walnuts, hazelnuts or almonds can be used as an alternative to pecans on top of the dumplings.
- Heavy cream or half-and-half can be used in place of milk when preparing the glaze.
- Feel free to add other spices such as cardamom, allspice and ginger to give the filling more depth of flavor.
Instructions For Cracker Barrel Apple Dumpling Recipe:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the thawed puff pastry dough until it’s about 1/8th of an inch thick. Cut 8 circles from the dough using a 5-inch cookie cutter or round glass.
- In a large bowl, mix together the white sugar, breadcrumbs, cinnamon and nutmeg (optional).
- Place one apple half into each circle of dough and brush with egg yolk to seal it in place. Divide the filling evenly among them and sprinkle on some of the chopped pecans. Fold up each circle of dough over their fillings and crimp edges with a fork.
- Place the dumplings onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, brush with melted butter and bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown.
- While the dumplings are baking, prepare the glaze topping by mixing together confectioners’ sugar, milk and vanilla extract until smooth. Once the dumplings are done baking, let them cool slightly before drizzling on top of each one.
- Serve warm with a dollop of whipped cream or ice cream if desired. Enjoy!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Any leftovers should be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 3 days. To reheat individual servings, pop them in the microwave for 30 seconds or bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. Enjoy!
Also Read : Banana Oatmeal Applesauce Cookies Recipe: One Bowl Wonders
Conclusion
These Cracker Barrel Apple Dumplings are sure to become a family favorite in no time. So if you’re looking for something special that requires minimal effort and brings maximum flavor, this is definitely the dessert for you. Give it a try today – your taste buds will thank you!
