Ingredients:
- 2 Granny Smith apples
- 1 lemon
- 1 cup sugar, divided
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 canned buttermilk biscuits
- 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions:
- Prepare for Baking:
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Grease a 9 x 12 x 2-inch casserole dish lightly with butter or non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Apples:
- Peel the Granny Smith apples and remove the cores. Cut each apple into 8 even slices vertically.
- Squeeze the juice of one lemon into a bowl filled with water. Place the apple slices in the lemon water to prevent them from browning while you prepare the other ingredients.
- Make the Sugar Mixture:
- In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of water, 3/4 cup of the sugar, and the stick of butter. Add the vanilla extract.
- Stir the mixture over medium heat until the butter melts and the mixture begins to boil. Remove from heat once the sugar is fully dissolved and the mixture is bubbling.
- Prepare the Biscuits:
- Open the can of buttermilk biscuits and separate each biscuit into 2 layers using your fingers. This will give you 16 thin layers.
- Take one biscuit layer at a time and wrap it around a slice of apple. Stretch the biscuit gently to overlap the ends and seal at the bottom. This will ensure the apple slice is fully enclosed.
- Assemble the Dish:
- Place the wrapped apple slices seam-side down in the prepared casserole dish. Arrange them neatly and spaced evenly.
- Once all the apple slices are wrapped and placed, pour the hot sugar mixture evenly over them, ensuring each dumpling is coated.
- Add Cinnamon Sugar:
- Mix the remaining 1/4 cup sugar with the ground cinnamon. Sprinkle this cinnamon sugar mixture liberally over the top of the dumplings.
- Bake the Dumplings:
- Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 35 minutes, or until the dumplings are golden brown and the sauce is bubbly.
- Serving:
- Allow the dumplings to cool slightly before serving to let the sauce thicken. Serve warm, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for added indulgence.
Tips:
- Using Granny Smith apples is key as their tartness contrasts beautifully with the sweet, buttery sauce.
- Ensure the biscuits are sealed well around the apples to prevent the sauce from seeping into the dumplings too much, which can make them soggy.
- For an extra touch of flavor, you can add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice to the cinnamon sugar mixture.
This expanded recipe will help ensure that each step is clear and manageable, even for those who might be trying their hand at baking these delicious apple dumplings for the first time. Enjoy your baking!