No matter what season it is, these dumplings are the perfect fruit dessert.
Whatever fruits you decide to use, they only will be more or less sugar to sweeten it!
This easy basic recipe can be made all from scratch or using a mix to shorten the time if you're in a hurry.
These dumplings are like an old-fashioned shortcake on top of a sweet baked fresh fruit.
You can even use canned fruits if fresh isn't available.
If you have never tried this baked dumpling version for a simple kind of cobbler, you're in for a super treat.
Scroll down to print out these simple instructions and I would love a comment on how you liked the recipe!
Making A Variety of Fruit Dumplings
I know when you think of dumplings you think of chicken and dumplings, which is another one of our favorites to make in our family.
This is not the soft pillowy gravy-style dumpling but a fluffy biscuit dough with a thin coating of sweet glaze around them and the fruit.
This is a buttery crunchy soft inside dumpling that is sweetened and engulfed with a simple syrup with soft fruit baked into a fabulous style pastry dough.
These infused flavors are so delicious and perfect together anyone you make this for will be more
than pleased at your next dinner get-together.
Baking these with a little butter, cinnamon, and sugar topping makes the browned dumpling the perfect bite.
This basic recipe is perfect all year long, no matter what fruits you love.
Our favorite is hard to choose, but we always come back to peaches and cream for the summer and apples and cream for the winter.
Served with either whipped cream or ice cream will take this year-long dessert to the next level!
Fruit Dumpling Recipe Ingredients To Have on Hand:
- fruits of choice
- sugar
- water
- cinnamon
- flour
- milk
- salt
- shortening
- baking powder
- butter
Tips
- Boil water for exactly 6 minutes use a timer
- If you're in a hurry use a baking mix that can substituted for homemade dumpling biscuits
- Cinnamon and spices enhance the flavors of the biscuits on top
- Any fruits can be used, some need additional sweetness to taste
- For fall pumpkin and sweet potatoes, it is recommended to pre-cook around cubed either boiling or microwave around 4 minutes.
- For dumpling batter just stir until combined
- Use deep casserole for more juice and for thicker syrup 13 x 9 sheet pan
- if using canned fruits, use the juice from the can instead of water and reduce the sugar
Toppings
Apples and caramel go famously together however if you really want a topping purree the fruits to coordinate with the dumpling or warm a favorite jam up.
Use some ice cream toppings like chocolate fudge, caramel or fruits toppings for an added sweetness.
Preparation for Fresh Fruits
For all fruits, there is some preparation.
Always wash all fruits you use, and drain off with paper towels.
Removing pits or skins stems on cherries, apricots, apples, peaches, pears, etc.
For figs, dates, you can just cut them up and add to the bottom with some cinnamon, they have a natural sweetness.
Berries are pretty easy for this recipe with little prep other than washing and drying, strawberries stem removed and need to be cut in half and blueberries need to have the stems removed.
Fall Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Dumplings
I usually microwave the pumpkin or sweet potatoes so they are assured to be precooked.
Toss the cubes of vegetables, in sugar, add a tablespoon of melted butter, cinnamon, and fall spices you like, and add them to the bottom for the perfect fall dessert!
You can use canned pumpkin, however, you will need to add an egg to the canned pumpkin spices and sugar to sweeten it.
Sugar Syrup Substitute
- 2 cups of water
- 1 cup sugar substitutes (like Splenda or Stevia blended sugar)
- 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
Blend all ingredients in a medium-sized saucepot.
Bring to a simmer then refrigerate.
Use this in place of the simple sugar syrup.
Ice Cream or Whipped Cream
You can serve this with whatever kind of ice cream you like or whipped cream.
We like ours with plain vanilla-flavored ice cream or freshly whipped cream.
Fruits to Use for Making Dumplings for Dessert
- peaches
- blueberry
- bananas
- apricots
- bing cherries
- berries of any kind
- mango
- pineapple
- plums
- apples
- pears
- cubed steamed sweet potatoes
- steamed pumpkin
- dates
- fresh figs
- fresh cranberries
- If I missed your favorite fruit, please substitute whatever you prefer!!!
Baking Pans
I always like a deep casserole dish, that made the syrup not cook and absorb into the dumplings
and much juicier than in a 13 x 9 pan that keeping the syrup much thicker.
You will have to decide what you like better, over the years, I like the juice!
Microwave or Stovetop
It doesn't matter how you boil the syrup, the important thing is to do this for 10 minutes.
If using canned fruit, make sure you remember to add water to the juice to make 1 cup.
Also, this recipe can be doubled in ingredients!
Cinnamon and Spices:
We love cinnamon and I always used more than the recipe calls for, especially on apples during the fall season.
In fact, I added pumpkin spices, cloves, and ginger to the apples before baking and the smell wafts throughout the house and is so comforting!
Just a little sprinkle will burst in fall flavors!
If Using Apples Here are the Best to Use for Dumplings and Pies
- Empire
- Mcintosh
- Rome
- Fuji
- Cortland
- Honeycrisp
- Gala
End of the Vintage Recipes
I sure hope that wasn't too painful looking through old photos.
Vintage recipes are always the best in collections.
All kinds of foods are never forgotten when it comes to perfection, no matter how old they are, they're always the best.
This fruit dumpling recipe will always be on top of our list for the best desserts growing up and getting better with age.
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More Recipes to Try:
Zucchini bread regular or chocolate
Coconut Cream Poke Cake
Raspberry Red Velvet Cupcakes
Dark Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix Cake
cannoli Pie
Skillet buttermilk strawberry shortcake
Strawberry Cream Pie
Don't Miss This Old Fashioned Recipe
This vintage from the 1960s recipe is the most comforting dessert I make.
Dumplings infused with fruits and syrup all in one pan is just nothing like you expect.
These dumplings bake in a magical delight and you will make it often!
Yield: 8
Apple or Peach Dumplings
prep time: 10 Mcook time: 40 Mtotal time: 50 M
This is a basic old fashion dumpling on top of any kind of fruit, baked and served with whipped cream. This recipe is over 100 years old, simple, and pure comfort no matter what kind of fruits you use, this recipe is the best ever.
ingredients:
- 6-8 fresh baking apples peeled, sliced, and cored or fresh peaches
- (if using canned peaches or fruits, use the juice from the can to make the syrup to measure 1 cup add water to make a cup, add the sugar and proceed with the same method for this recipe).
- Other Fruit Options: blueberry, raspberry, plum, mango
- Place apples in a greased 10 x 10 casserole dish or 13 x9 size pan. for a thicker style of syrup
- Note: the syrup will be thicker in a 13 x 9 pan. If you like juicier dumplings, add them to a deep casserole dish 10 x 10 square ( this will make a real thin syrup).
- Sugar Syrup:
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1 cup of water
- Optional: 1 /4 teaspoon cinnamon in the water
- In a small saucepan add the sugar and water.
- Boil these two ingredients together for 6 minutes either on the stovetop or in a microwave-proof bowl using a timer stirring constantly.
- Pour boiling syrup over apples (or whatever fruit you're using) in the greased pan.
- Dumplings:
- 1- 1/2 cups flour
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 6 tablespoons shortening
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- In a large bowl mix together to form a soft dough below:
- Topping Before Baking:
- Melt together:
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon or apple pie spice more to taste
- Pour tablespoons of the dumpling mixture on top of the sugar syrup.
- Drizzle with the cinnamon topping butter.
instructions:
How to cook Apple or Peach Dumplings
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Proceed with the instructions above prepare the fruits, and place them in a pan.
- Add the boiled syrup, drop the dumpling batter by tablespoons on top of the syrup then drizzle with the buttery cinnamon mixture. over each dumpling.
- Bake at 400 degrees Preheat the oven for 30 to 40 minutes or until the top is browned.
- Serve warm with whipped cream and caramel topping or vanilla ice cream with caramel topping.
- Note: In a hurry? You can use a boxed baking mix like Bisquick, and make the shortcake recipe on the box using this same method for the dumplings.
Calories
228
228
Fat (grams)
22
22
Sat. Fat (grams)
19
19
Carbs (grams)
26
26
Net carbs
19
19
Sugar (grams)
32
32
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More Recipes to Try:
Skillet Buttermilk Strawberry Shortcake
Raspberry Galette
Blueberry Flan
Disclosure: This recipe was originally shared in 2009. It was edited and re-published in 2019.
