Growing up, baked apple dumplings were a rare, delicious, and quickly scarfed delicacy. My father covered his with coffee cream, while my mother preferred vanilla ice cream, or maybe some milk. I’ll take all three, if you don’t mind.

Never heard of apple dumplings? Allow me to fill that gaping hole in your life.

First, you take some nice baking apples. Galas, perhaps, maybe Pink Ladies. Granny Smiths or Honeycrisps would be awesome as well. Peel and core ’em, keeping them whole, like big, fat apple doughnuts. Then, take some softened butter, and mash it up with dark brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stuff the cores of the apples with this tasty mixture.

Now, wrap each apple in a generous square of pastry. Seal with wet fingers, and bake until the pastry has browned, the apples are tender, and there is amazing, delicious, caramelly sauce oozing out of each dumpling.

Let them cool a wee bit (enough to avoid mouth scalding, but nothing more) before moving them into wide, shallow bowls. Top with your choice of dairy product and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar and devour. Try not to make yourself sick.

Baked Apple Dumplings

For the apples
4 baking apples
1/3 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup dark brown sugar
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg

Pastry, x2, divided into 4 balls and chilled

Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Line a rimmed baking sheet or shallow roasting pan with parchment paper.

Peel and core the apples, leaving them whole.

Mash together the butter, sugar, and spices. Fill the apple cores with this tasty mixture.

Roll each pastry portion out on a well-floured surface. Place an apple in the centre of each pastry square and fold the corners of the pastry up and around. Seal with wet fingers.

Arrange the dumplings on the baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven for about 50 minutes, until the pastry is golden and the apples are cooked through.

In other news, I’m pleased to announce that Alexandra Dupuis is the winner of this month’s draw! The giveaway for January will be some of my Homemade Pore Strip mixture. Every entry you comment on is an entry.