Apple dumplings are a sweet variant of the classic dumplings, which are always made with stale bread, unlike the sweet dumplings with plums or apricots, which are usually made with a potato or ricotta-based dough. They are therefore an excellent way to use up stale bread and if desired, they can also be prepared and frozen, still raw, to then be tossed into boiling water and cooked when needed.
To make them more enticing, after cooking them in salted water, I toss them in breadcrumbs sautéed in butter and flavored with cinnamon powder. A true delight!
As for the apples, you can use the variety you like best, of course.
If you like dishes from South Tyrol, try these recipes of mine too:
- Difficulty: Easy
- Rest time: 1 Hour
- Preparation time: 25 Minutes
- Portions: approx. 20 dumplings
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All seasons
Ingredients
- 9 oz stale bread (cubed)
- 14 oz apples
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tbsp vanilla sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 organic lemon (zest)
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/3 cup butter
- 1 1/3 cups breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsps sugar
Steps
To prepare the apple dumplings, place the cubed stale bread in a large bowl. Wash and peel the apples, remove the core, and cut them into cubes of approx. 1/4 inch. Add the cubed apples to the bowl with the bread and add sugar, vanilla sugar, cinnamon, salt, and the grated zest of the previously washed lemon. Separately, mix the milk and eggs well and then pour the mixture into the bowl with the bread and apples. Combine everything well with your hands. Cover with cling film and let the mixture rest at room temperature for about an hour.
After the resting time, bring plenty of water to a boil in a large pot and salt it.
With wet hands, form approx. 20 balls (2 inches in diameter) with the stale bread and apple mixture. Re-wet your hands between each dumpling, this way the mixture won’t stick to your hands. As you make them, dip the apple dumplings into the boiling salted water. Once you have put them all in, cover the pot with the lid and let them simmer gently for 12-15 minutes.
While the dumplings are cooking in water, prepare the topping. Melt the butter in a large pan, then add the breadcrumbs, sugar, and cinnamon and toast everything, continuing to stir. When the breadcrumbs are golden, remove the pan from the heat and set aside.
When the dumplings are cooked, remove a few at a time from the water with a slotted spoon, drain for a few moments and place them in the pan with the buttered breadcrumbs. Roll the dumplings in the pan until their entire surface is covered with breadcrumbs and place them on a serving dish. Proceed in the same way for the remaining dumplings.
Enjoy your apple dumplings warm.
