Sweet Apricot Dumplings
- Vegetarian
- Energy Kcal 767
- Carbohydrates g 65.4
- of which sugars g 45.5
- Protein g 12.3
- Fats g 50.6
- of which saturated fat g 27.66
- Fiber g 3.3
- Cholesterol mg 196
- Sodium mg 384
- Difficulty: Easy
- Prep time: 40 min
- Cook time: 10 min
- Makes: 8 pieces
- Cost: Low
- Note plus the resting time for the dough
PRESENTATION
Alright, let's dive into this delightful dessert from northern Italy, canederli dolci alle albicocche. It's from Trentino-Alto Adige, right near the Austrian border. This place is known for its sweet, fruity treats. And you know what? These aren't just any dumplings. They're made with cheese, which gives them this tender feel and a little zing of orange zest. Inside, a whole sweet apricot waits to surprise you. Break one open—boom!—you get this mix of moist fruit and dough that’s really really something else.
In this area, they love their Austrian dessert traditions. Cross into Austria and these might be called Marillenknödel, but with an Italian twist. Seriously good. That orange flavor balances perfectly with a rich, bittersweet dark chocolate sauce on top. And look, while some might think of apricot-filled dumplings as just a snack, this version? It’s like something you’d serve at a big family gathering or when you want to wow friends with a cool flavor combo.
The chocolate sauce isn't just there for show. It cuts through the sweetness of the fruit, making each bite more exciting. These golden, soft dumplings? Best enjoyed warm, with the filling all juicy inside. In Trentino-Alto Adige, the dish shows off how local cuisine blends Italian and traditional Austrian flavors so beautifully. I gotta say, you can taste the history in every bite, and it’s got this fun and original vibe, too.
These fruit dumplings are perfect for when you’re craving something a little different, a little surprising, and definitely delicious. Whether you're new to Austrian apricot dumplings or have tried many, this Italian version will win you over with its soft, sweet center and that touch of chocolate on top. Pretty much irresistible.
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INGREDIENTS
- Ingredients for 8 dumplings
- Cream cheese 1.8 cups (400 g)
- Powdered sugar 1 ½ tbsp (20 g)
- Orange peel ½
- Butter 5.6 tbsp (80 g) - (softened)
- Egg yolks 3
- Type 00 flour 1 ¼ cup (150 g)
- Almond flour ½ cup (50 g)
- Fine salt 1 pinch
- Vanilla bean 1
- for the filling
- Apricots in syrup 8
- Sugar 4 - sugar cubes
- for the coating
- Breadcrumbs ½ cup (60 g)
- Brown sugar ¼ cup (60 g)
- Cinnamon powder 1 tsp
- Butter to taste
- for the chocolate sauce
- Dark chocolate 10.5 oz (300 g)
- Fresh liquid cream ⅓ cup (80 g)
How to prepare Sweet Apricot Dumplings
To make the sweet apricot dumplings, soften the butter and place it in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment 1, add the egg yolks 2 and the salt, and start the machine until you get a light mixture. At this point, add the cream cheese 3 and continue to whip the mixture.
When it is smooth, turn off the machine and incorporate the powdered sugar. Cut the vanilla bean lengthwise, extract the seeds and add them to the dough 4. Sift the all-purpose flour 5 and almond flour 6 directly into the bowl.
Add the grated orange zest 7, mix the dough with a spatula 8, then spread the dough on a sheet of parchment paper, giving it dimensions of approximately 8 x 16 inches 9. Cover with another sheet of parchment paper and refrigerate to firm up for about 1 hour on a tray.
Drain the apricots from their syrup 10. If you use dried apricots, you will need to rehydrate them in warm water, then gently squeeze them, and if they have pits, remove them. If it is in season, you can use small fresh apricots. When the dough is cold and manageable, divide it by cutting it into 8 squares of the same size 11, take each portion and place half an apricot in the center 12.
Stuff it in the center with half a sugar cube and close with the other half of the apricot 13. Wrap the dough around the apricot 14 forming a ball and seal the contents well. Continue with the rest of the ingredients to form 8 dumplings, which you will place on a sheet of parchment paper 15, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for half an hour.
In the meantime, you can prepare the accompanying chocolate sauce. Chop the dark chocolate 16 and place it to melt in a double boiler (or in the microwave); when it is melted, add the hot cream 17 and stir until you get a thick cream 18, which you will set aside.
When the dumplings are well-chilled and compact, boil them (4 at a time) by allowing them to simmer for about 10 minutes in boiling salted water 19, then drain them 20, and pass them in a mix of breadcrumbs, brown sugar, and cinnamon powder 21.
Gradually place the breaded dumplings on a serving plate 22. On a dessert plate, distribute the chocolate sauce on the bottom 23 and place the cooked sweet apricot dumplings on top, optionally garnishing with melted butter 24.