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Lighter Cinnamon Apple Dumplings with Sauce (Easy Recipe)

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These lighter cinnamon apple dumplings with sauce are a healthier twist on a classic comfort dessert. Made with whole wheat pastry flour, Greek yogurt, and coconut sugar, they deliver all the warm, syrupy goodness without the heavy calorie load.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups whole wheat pastry flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ cup coconut oil, cold and solid
  • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt (full-fat)
  • 2–4 tablespoons ice water (as needed)
  • 4 medium apples, peeled and cored (Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith)
  • 2 tablespoons coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg (freshly grated if possible)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 cup water
  • ¼ cup maple syrup (pure maple syrup)
  • 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (or coconut oil for dairy-free)
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)

Instructions

  1. Make the dough: In a large bowl, whisk together whole wheat pastry flour, salt, and baking powder. Add cold coconut oil in small chunks. Use a pastry cutter or fork to cut it into the flour until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs with pea-sized bits of oil (about 2 minutes). Add Greek yogurt and stir with a fork until the dough starts coming together. If dry, add ice water one tablespoon at a time until it forms a shaggy ball. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead gently 3-4 times. Wrap i…
  2. Prepare the apples: While dough chills, peel and core apples, leaving them whole. In a small bowl, mix coconut sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Toss apples in the mixture to coat. Let sit while rolling out dough.
  3. Roll and wrap: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly flour work surface and roll dough into a 12×12-inch square, about ⅛-inch thick. Cut into four equal squares. Place one apple in the center of each square. Fold corners up over the apple, pinching seams to seal. Place each dumpling seam-side down in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, leaving space between them.
  4. Make the sauce: In a small saucepan, combine water, maple syrup, coconut sugar, butter, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Whisk in cornstarch slurry and cook for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Pour sauce over and around dumplings, making sure each gets some sauce but tops remain somewhat dry.
  5. Bake: Bake for 30-35 minutes, until dumplings are golden brown and sauce is bubbling. Halfway through, spoon some sauce over tops. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or Greek yogurt.

Notes

Don’t skip chilling the dough; it makes rolling easier and ensures flakiness. Use cold coconut oil and Greek yogurt. Seal dumplings well and place seam-side down. Bake on the middle rack. Let dumplings rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow sauce to set. For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and add an extra tablespoon of yogurt. For vegan, use coconut yogurt and coconut oil instead of butter. Leftovers keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat in oven at 350°F for 10 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple dumplings, lighter apple dumplings, cinnamon apple dumplings, healthy apple dessert, whole wheat apple dumplings, Greek yogurt dough, easy apple dumplings

Find it online: https://ovenmila.com/lighter-cinnamon-apple-dumplings-with-sauce-easy-recipe/