apple dumplings with vanilla ice cream

How to make apple dumplings with vanilla ice cream recipe - Simple to make, these individual apple dumplings look amazing on a plate. Serve with store-bought ice cream if time is short.

MAKES 4

PREP TIME 25 mins, plus chilling, COOK TIME 45 mins

Ingredients:
4 Golden Delicious apples, peeled and cored
4 tbsp butter
1 tsp ground cinnamon, plus extra for coating
1 egg, beaten
2 tbsp light brown sugar

For the pastry:
2 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
1 tsp salt
3 tbsp sugar
3⁄4 cup butter, chilled and cut into cubes
1⁄4 cup vegetable shortening

For the ice cream:
1 cup whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 vanilla pod, split
4 egg yolks
1⁄2 cup light brown sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
Salted caramel sauce, to serve

Method:
1 First, make the ice cream. In a saucepan, whisk together the milk and cream, and add the vanilla pod. Let it simmer for 20 minutes on low heat. Remove from the heat and discard the vanilla pod.

2 In a separate saucepan, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, and cinnamon. Spoon the cream mixture into the eggs, a little at a time, and whisk until well combined. Simmer on low heat for 10–12 minutes, or until thickened. Transfer to a bowl, cover, and chill for 1 hour, or until thoroughly chilled.

3 To make the pastry, combine the flour, salt, and sugar in a bowl. Rub the butter and shortening into the flour mixture with your fingertips until it resembles breadcrumbs. Stir in 1⁄4 cup of cold water to form a soft dough. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour.

4 Pour the cream mixture into an ice-cream maker and churn it for 20–30 minutes, depending on the machine, or until creamy and firm. Transfer it to an airtight container and freeze for at least 30 minutes.

5 Preheat the oven to 325ºF (160ºC). Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces. Roll them out on a floured work surface to form 6in (15cm) rounds. Wrap each disk around an apple. Fill each apple core with a tbsp of butter and 1⁄4 tsp of cinnamon, and pinch the dough closed around the apple. Transfer the apples to a 9in (23cm) square baking sheet.

6 Brush each apple with the egg and sprinkle over the brown sugar and a little cinnamon. Bake for 45 minutes, or until the pastry is golden and the apple has softened. Serve each apple hot with a scoop of ice cream and a drizzle of Salted caramel sauce.