There’s a special kind of nostalgia that’s brought up when we think of Furr’s Cafeteria Apple Dumplings, especially since Furr’s establishments closed their doors in 2021. For decades, Furr’s was the kind of place families gathered after church for a delicious meal, always followed by dessert! Ask anyone, their apple dumplings were a standout and undeniable cafeteria favorite. We thought it was about time to recreate those beloved dumplings at home!
Tart green apples are the perfect choice here to balance out the sweet sauce, we used granny smith. The golden pastry on the outside is a breeze, thanks to some premade pie dough. It’s the definition of easy home cooking! Peel and core your apples, then it’s time to start on assembly.
And let’s talk about that sauce, because it’s a showstopper in its own right. A blend of water, brown sugar, butter, and vanilla simmers on the stove top until it’s nice and smooth. It’s then poured over the dumplings before they’re baked to golden perfection.
Once they’re out of the oven, these dumplings are best served warm with an extra spoonful of that homemade sauce drizzled over the top. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you’re feeling indulgent, or pour milk over the top for an old-fashioned twist. Whether you’re making them for a holiday table, a potluck, or just to satisfy a craving for something sweet and nostalgic, Furr’s Cafeteria Apple Dumplings deliver every single time.
Furr's Cafeteria Apple Dumplings
Ingredients
- 1 (7.05 oz) package premade pie dough
- 6 tart green apples, peeled and cored
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups brown sugar, for sauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and use butter to grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- On a floured surface, roll pie dough into a large rectangle. Slice dough into six squares. Place an apple in the center of each square with the hollowed core facing upwards.
- Cut butter into 8 long, skinny pats and insert 1 pat in the core of each apple. Remaining butter will be used in sauce.
- Sprinkle brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg over apples and into core.
- Wet your fingers, then bring each corner of the dough up to the center. Pinch the dough along the seams to seal. Repeat with the remaining apples, then transfer to the prepared baking dish.
- For the sauce: add water, remaining brown sugar, vanilla extract, and remaining butter to a large saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until sugar is dissolved, about 3-4 minutes.
- Carefully pour sauce over the dumplings in baking dish. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until golden in color.
- Serve warm. Spoon sauce over individual dumplings when serving.
Recipe adapted from Allrecipes.com