This is how apple dumplings became more than just a tasty treat for us—they became exactly what our little family needed. The summer of 2021 was one to remember for my family. We welcomed a new baby, who had to undergo two open-heart surgeries by the time he was three weeks old. Due to COVID restrictions, our older children were not allowed in the hospital, which made the experience even more challenging.After a month of hospital life, we were overjoyed to be reunited as a family and spent the last few weeks of summer cherishing every moment together. As a parent, I was reminded of how quickly children grow and change. Each phase is beautiful and fleeting, and it’s important to savor every moment. My kids thrive on activities, and we are always looking for new ways to spend time together. So when I learned that September 17th was National Apple Dumpling Day, I knew it was the perfect opportunity for a fun family activity.
Picking Apples
Luckily, we had an apple tree in our backyard that was ripe and ready for picking. We grabbed a basket and an apple picker pole, and the kids took turns gathering apples from the tree. My daughter Lee even tried her hand at climbing to reach a few of the higher apples.
Meanwhile, O Man took that opportunity to go feed all of the apples to the goats, so we had to start over with our picking. At least the goats were pleased!
Back to the apple tree we went. This time the kids were sure to keep all of the apples. Once we had enough apples, we rinsed them off and enjoyed one right away. Waiting until the dumplings were done would have been too difficult!
Simple Apple Dumpling Recipe
We headed inside to make our apple dumplings, using a recipe that was simple enough for the kids to help with. (We used the recipe from Mighty Mrs, and it was delicious!) We peeled and sliced the apples, and the kids eagerly rolled them up in crescent rolls. Watching their pudgy fingers work was a delight. After arranging the dumplings in a baking dish, we melted butter and sugar together, and the kids helped pour it over the top. And lastly, we poured the Mountain Dew over the top and slid it into the oven.
The house smelled heavenly as the dumplings baked in the oven. We worked together to clean up and waited patiently for them to finish. Finally, the moment arrived, and we served the warm dumplings with a heaping scoop of ice cream. The kids’ “mmmm”s were music to our ears.
This was a special day for our family, and I encourage others to try it out too. If you don’t have an apple tree in your backyard, consider visiting a nearby orchard or farmers market. Or, make a special trip to the grocery store and let the kids help pick out the ingredients. The most important thing is to have fun, not worry about spills, and make lasting memories.
In the end, National Apple Dumpling Day was more than just a fun activity. It was a reminder to slow down and cherish the time we have with our loved ones. It was exactly what I had been missing during our time apart.
Other Ideas
If you're searching for some new apple ideas, especially with Halloween around the corner, you might want to give our Dried Witch Heads a try. It's a fun and easy craft project that you can enjoy doing with your little ones.
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