Description
This Thanksgiving Apple Pandowdy recipe is a comforting and rustic dessert featuring tender cinnamon-spiced apples topped with a biscuit-like dough and a rich brown sugar sauce. Baked until golden and bubbling, it’s perfect for a cozy holiday treat, especially served warm with whipped cream.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Dough Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3/4 cup 2% milk
- 1 tablespoon coarse sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Apple Filling
- 5 cups sliced peeled apples
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Optional
- Whipped cream for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a saucepan, combine 1 cup packed brown sugar, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add 1 cup water and 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Cook and stir over medium heat until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat, cover, and set aside.
- Mix Dough Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cut in 3 tablespoons butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add 3/4 cup 2% milk and stir only until moistened; some lumps are okay. Set aside.
- Prepare the Apples: Arrange 5 cups sliced, peeled apples in a 1-1/2-quart baking dish and sprinkle evenly with 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
- Finish the Sauce and Assemble: Stir 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and the remaining 2 tablespoons butter into the prepared brown sugar sauce. Pour this sauce evenly over the apples in the baking dish.
- Top with Dough: Drop the dough by spoonfuls over the apple and sauce mixture. Combine 1 tablespoon coarse sugar with 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon and sprinkle this mixture over the dough topping.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the pandowdy uncovered for about 55 minutes, or until the topping is browned and the apples are tender.
- Serve: Serve warm, optionally topped with whipped cream for added richness and creaminess.
Notes
- Use tart apples such as Granny Smith for a balanced sweet-tart flavor.
- Do not overmix the dough to keep it tender and light.
- If you prefer, you can add a pinch of ground cloves or allspice to the apple filling for extra warmth.
- This dessert is best served warm but can be reheated gently.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/9 of recipe)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
