Saturday, October 29, 2011

Apple Dumplings and Tea -- Camp Grandma!

We've got a nice productive McIntosh apple tree, but in addition to that our kind neighbors have given me permission to pick apples from their many trees!  I've got apple sauce and apple butter lined up to make, but couldn't wait to get something sweet going so I made apple dumplings. Apple dumplings have always been one of my favorite desserts. 

Most apple dumpling recipes have you put a whole (skinned and cored) apple in each dumpling.  But I have always preferred smaller chunks of apples.  I pretty much just make what would be an apple pie filling and pie crust recipe.  The only thing I need then is a syrup to pour on top.





I love apple dumplings served with vanilla ice cream, but didn't have any, so I used whipped topping.  Still super good! 

My sister's son and daughter-in-law are expecting what will be my sister's first grandchild!  We are so excited for them and I couldn't wait to give her a special sign I painted:

 She visited with Ellie (our second of three grandchildren) her at my "Camp Grandma, Coos Bay Unit" and taught her how to "have tea".    She'll be a perfect grandma and she'll love the new title! 

Here's my sign, painted 5 years ago (I used to make my signs way smaller then, and on old wood:

Hope you all have a safe and fun weekend!
          Hugs, Heidi

Here's a basic APPLE DUMPLING recipe, it's the one I use:
THE SYRUP:
1 3/4 cups water
1 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
2 Tblspn. butter

THE DUMPLING CRUST:
2 1/4 cups four
1/4 TSP. salt
2/3 cup butter
6 to 8 Tblspn iced cold water

FILLING:
6 apples (skinned, cored, and cut in small bite size pieces)
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1. Mix the syrup (EXCEPT the butter) ingredients in a medium saucepan and simmer, covered for 5 minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in butter.
2. Meanwhile mix the crust ingredients and roll out into an 18X12-inch rectangle, then cut into six 6" squares.  (Or get close, like I do!)
3. Mix the apple filling ingredients and divide evenly on the 6 cut squares.
4.  Pull up the four corners of each square into a pocket, or dumpling.  Pitch the edge to keep them closed. Place in a baking pan. 
5. Pour the hot syrup over the dumplings.
6.  Bake in a pre-heated 375 degree oven for about 45 minutes or until the apples are tender and the crust is lightly browned.
7.  Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, or whipped topping.

Makes 6 servings.
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(Linked to  Cindy's My Romantic Home Show and Tell here. , Six Sisters Struf Your Stuff Saturday here, Be Different and Act Normal Show and Tell Saturday here,  Tator Tots and Jello Weekend Wrap Up Party hereBlissful and Domestic Feature Friday Link Up Party hereNiffty Thrifty Sunday #29 here, Totally Tasty Tuesday at Mandy's Recipe Box here,  Joy of Desserts here,and Frugal Girls Craft Linky Party here.)

6 comments:

michele said...

oh how scrumptious!

found you via romantic home and would love to have you stop by and enter my shabby chic giveaway:

http://hellolovelyinc.blogspot.com/2011/10/rachel-ashwell-on-creating-authentic.html

have a wonderful week.

michele

kandeland said...

wow those look yummy!! thanks for the recipe Heidi! xo nat

Amy M. said...

Those apple dumplings look amazing!!! Yum!!!

Love your Camp Grandma signs...what a sweet idea!

-Amy

Joy @ Joy Of Desserts said...

Heidi, I love these Camp Grandma signs. What a great idea and you did a great job. Great recipe too. I much prefer the apples diced like this. This seems so tasty. Great post overall. So glad you found my blog and are participating in Vintage Recipe Thursday at Joy of Desserts. I heart Pinterest and I'm following your boards now. :-)

Lauren Hairston said...

Your apple dumplings look lovely. I saw your link at Vintage Recipe Thursday and thought I would stop by.

Vanessa @ {nifty thrifty things} said...

Hmm.. These look amazingly yummy! :)
Thank you for linking up to {nifty thrifty sunday} last week! I featured you at today's party!
xoxo,
Vanessa @ {nifty thrifty things}