Hey guys! This is my first attempt at apple dumplings. We can thank The Captain’s Lady for that! I’ve never heard of apple dumplings before. I had to do some research to get more detail about how they are made. They look like pastry baseballs, but they taste like a personal size pie. Oh so yummy! Out of all the Captain’s Lady recipes I’ve made so far I would have to say that apple dumplings are my favorite (as I’m sure you can tell from the image below…). The Apple Dumplings are simple to make and boosting in flavor.
The timing for this recipe was prefect because my dad had some beautifully plump yellow transparent apples ready to be picked from his tree. He has made apple pies from that tree since I was a little girl. I remember sitting on the back porch peeling dozens of apples and placing them in large washtub, so that dad could slice them and make pies for family and neighbors. It was always a treat!
Below is a journal entry from an 1800’s cook book and journal I found called “The Captain’s Lady” I hope you enjoy it!
The Captain’s Lady Episode 07: King
24 July 1864
“Today my dear brother Charles’ dog, King, died. He was never quite the same after my brother’s death. We buried him in a special place in the garden we reserved as a memorial for those members of the family who never returned from the seas. the flag is always kept flying and there is a small gazebo where we can sit and remember. We always feel as if the spirits of our loved ones are very close.
“O God, take Thy small servants, those furred and feathered creatures of myriad kinds to Thy Celestial home. Take them, who have brought unswerving devotion and comfort to Thy human folk and oh! let them lie before the hearths of heaven in sweet repose until they and we meet again to roam the byways of Paradise together for all eternity.””
(The Captain’s Lady Cookbook
This book can be purchased through Amazon:
The Captain’s Lady Cookbook
- 8 medium tart cooking apples
- 1 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup butter
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 2/3 cup shortening
- 4-6 tablespoons cold water
- Peel and core apples. Combine sugar, butter, salt, and cinnamon, and fill each apple with part of the mixture.
- Sift four and salt together and cut in shortening with a pastry blender. Add water, using only a small portion at a time, until mixture will hold together. Divide dough into 8 parts.
- Roll out each portion to 1/8 inch thickness on a lightly floured surface, cut into squares large enough to cover apples. Place apple on each square and bring corners together at top; moisten edges and pinch together to hold apple in place.
- Place on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until apples are tender.
