Cracker Barrel’s Apple Dumplings are so delicious that they’ll have you begging for more. A few basic ingredients are all you need to prepare this traditional comfort dish. Indulge in this crowd-pleasing dessert made with sour and sweet apples, encased in a buttery, flaky crust that’s been delicately flavored with cinnamon.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It takes very little effort and time, and the ingredients list is short.
• The dumpling’s sweet cinnamon-sugar exterior is a welcome addition to the dish.
• The filling’s delicate chewiness offers a nice contrast to the crisp exterior.
• You can’t beat this meal for a night on the couch.
• Apples and cinnamon are a time-honored culinary pairing that will never go out of style.

Cracker Barrel Apple Dumpling Ingredients

• Apples. Apples with a crisp, tart taste, like the granny smith kind, are ideal. Choose Gala or Honey crisp apples if you’re looking for something a little sweeter.
• Flour. The ideal flour to use in this recipe is all-purpose flour because of the subtle sweetness and nuttiness it imparts. The sauce is thickened and the dish is kept from getting watery.
• Sugar. The granulated white sugar sweetens the dish and counteracts the acidity of the apples.
• Butter. Because of unsalted butter’s more mild flavor, it’s recommended for this dish. It’s a big factor in the dumplings’ luscious, buttery taste.
• Milk. For the greatest results, use whole milk instead of any other type of milk in the sauce.
• Nutmeg. The richness of the apples is balanced by the warm, spicy flavor of ground nutmeg.
• Ground Cinnamon. The ground cinnamon complements the apples well and helps bring out their taste.
• Salt. The use of salt enhances the flavor of the food and counteracts the sweetness of the other components.

Are Apple Dumplings Healthy?

As most apple dumplings are baked with butter and sugar, they are not the healthiest dessert option. Apples are typically cooked in butter and cinnamon, which raises the calorie and sugar content of the dish. However, they may be made more healthful by altering the dough to include whole wheat flour and decreasing the quantity of butter and sugar.

What Type Of Syrup Goes With Apple Dumplings?

Caramel sauce is the most common syrup choice when serving apple dumplings. Caramel sauce, with its strong sweetness, is a great compliment to the sour and juicy notes of apples. To top it all off, it turns the dish a stunning shade of golden. Maple syrup, honey, or a powdered sugar-and-lemon juice glaze are some of the alternatives to syrup that can be used.

Can You Make Apple Dumplings With Cake Mix?

Even though it’s not typical practice, cake mix can be used to make apple dumplings. The apples are often wrapped in a dough made from cake mix, butter, and an egg. The cake mix adds a special taste and texture to the dumplings, but you must fully cook the dough before serving. In addition, tart apples, such as granny smith, are recommended since their flavor will contrast nicely with the sweetness of the cake mix.

How To Make Cracker Barrel Apple Dumplings

• Preheat the oven to 350° Fahrenheit.
• Peel and core the apples before slicing them.
• Combine the flour, sugar, butter, milk, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Blend until a thick batter forms.
• Stir the apple pieces into the batter to coat.
• Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish with butter, then add the batter and apples.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown on top.
• Allow 10 minutes to cool before serving.

What To Serve With Apple Dumplings?

• Baked Apples. To go with apple dumplings, baked apples are a must-have staple. They add a pleasant crunch and chew to the meal, and their natural apple taste goes well with the cinnamon and sugar in the dumplings.
• Ice Cream. Apple dumplings are elevated by a dollop of vanilla ice cream. The warm cinnamon-sugar-apple taste of the dumplings goes wonderfully with the cool, creamy richness of ice cream.
• Apple Cider. To complement the dumplings, a glass of crisp apple cider is a fantastic choice. To counteract the sweetness of the dumplings, the tanginess and acidity it adds to the dish are welcome.
• Caramel Sauce. The dumplings aren’t complete without a dollop of caramel sauce. The warm, cinnamon-sugar-apple tastes of the dumplings go wonderfully with the smooth, buttery richness of the caramel sauce.
• Whipped Cream. Lightening up the meal with whipped cream is a terrific way to add some more sweetness. The sweet, cinnamon-sugar-apple taste of the dumplings is enhanced by the whipped cream’s smoothness.
• Cinnamon Sugar. The apple dumplings taste much better after being dusted with cinnamon sugar. Apples’ inherent sweetness is amplified by the addition of cinnamon and sugar to this recipe.

Recipe Variations

• Apple Dumpling Cobbler. Instead of making individual dumplings, try making a cobbler. Several apples should be peeled, cored, and placed in a baking dish. On top, sprinkle some sugar, flour, baking powder, and spices. Brush with a butter and sugar glaze and bake until the topping is golden.
• Apple Dumpling Pie. Bake an apple dumpling pie instead of the traditional apple pie. First, you’ll want to create a pie dough and then peel and core some apples to put within. Sprinkle with a sweet and savory blend of flour, sugar, baking soda, and spices. Brush the top with a mixture of melted butter and sugar, and bake until the crust is golden.
• Apple Dumpling Crepes. Roll apples in crepes for a tasty French appetizer. Prepare several apples by peeling and coring them before adding them to a dish of sugar, flour, and spices. After wrapping each apple in a crepe, set them in a baking tray. Bake the crepes for ten minutes before glazing them with melted butter and sugar.
• Apple Dumpling Gratin. Make a savory gratin and enjoy a delicious twist on a traditional dish. Several apples should be peeled, cored, and placed in a baking dish. Crumble some cheese-bread-and-herb mixture on top. Bake it with a glaze of melted butter and sugar until the sugar is golden.
• Apple Dumpling Parfait. Make a parfait for a sophisticated and tasty dessert. Make an apple parfait by peeling and coring several apples and stacking them in a parfait glass. Sprinkle with a sweet and savory blend of flour, sugar, baking soda, and spices. Bake with a glaze of melted butter and sugar until the topping is golden.
• Apple Dumpling Cobbler Bars. The portable and tasty take on the traditional dish is a must-try. Several apples should be peeled, cored, and placed in a baking dish. Sprinkle with a sweet and savory blend of flour, sugar, baking soda, and spices. Glaze with melted butter and sugar, then bake until the topping is golden. Divide into bars and eat up!

How To Store Apple Dumplings?

• In The Fridge. First, the cracker barrel apple dumplings should cool fully before being transferred to an airtight container for storage. The dumplings can be stored for up to four to five days in the refrigerator.
• In The Freezer. Cracker barrel apple dumplings can be frozen when they have cooled fully and transferred to a container suitable for the freezer. Line the container with wax paper or parchment paper to keep the contents from clinging to one another. You may freeze the dumplings for up to three months if you put the container in the freezer.
• To Reheat. If you want to reheat some apple dumplings from Cracker Barrel, take them out of the fridge or freezer and let them defrost as needed. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper and heating the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. The dumplings should be cooked through after being baked for 10 to 15 minutes. Make sure the dumplings are served hot.

Cracker Barrel Apple Dumpling Nutrition Facts

Amount Per Serving

• Calories 1710
• Total Fat 73g
• Saturated Fat 30g
• Cholesterol 95mg
• Sodium 1600mg
• Total Carbohydrate 246g
• Dietary Fiber 8g
• Sugars 118g
• Protein 18g