Ingredients
You’ll need just three ingredients:
- 2 cups dry baking mix (such as biscuit or pancake baking mix)
- 2 cups spiced apple cider
(or apple juice with winter spices like cinnamon and cloves) - 1 cup brown sugar, packed
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Slow Cooker
Lightly grease the inside of a 4–6 quart slow cooker with butter or nonstick spray. This helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier.
Step 2: Make the Winter Spice Syrup
Pour the spiced apple cider into the slow cooker. Stir in the brown sugar until it’s mostly dissolved. This mixture will become a warm, lightly thickened syrup as the dumplings cook.
Step 3: Mix the Dumpling Dough
Place the dry baking mix in a medium bowl. Scoop out ½ to ¾ cup of the cider mixture from the slow cooker and add it to the baking mix.
Stir gently until a soft, spoonable dough forms. Do not overmix—the dough should be thick, slightly sticky, and just combined.
Step 4: Heat the Syrup
Turn the slow cooker to HIGH and let the cider mixture heat until it begins to steam around the edges, about 15–20 minutes.
Step 5: Drop in the Dumplings
Once the liquid is hot, drop spoonfuls of dumpling dough directly into the simmering cider mixture, leaving a little space between each. The dumplings will puff and expand as they cook.
Step 6: Cook Until Puffy and Set
Cover with the lid and cook on HIGH for 1½ to 2 hours, keeping the lid closed to trap steam.
The dumplings are done when they’re puffed, set in the center, and no longer doughy when gently cut open. The syrup will thicken slightly as it cooks.
Step 7: Rest and Serve
Turn the slow cooker to WARM and let the dumplings rest for 5–10 minutes so the sauce settles and clings to them.
Spoon the dumplings into bowls and ladle the warm winter spice syrup over the top. Serve immediately while cozy and fragrant.
Variations & Helpful Tips
- More spice: Stir 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg or cloves into the brown sugar
- Bakery aroma: Add a splash of vanilla extract to the syrup at the end
- Less sweet: Reduce brown sugar to ¾ cup or use part cider and part water
- No spiced cider?
Warm plain apple juice with a cinnamon stick and a few cloves, then strain - Different baking mixes:
- Cornbread mix = rustic, cobbler-style dumplings
- Buttermilk biscuit mix = softer, old-fashioned texture
- High altitude: Dumplings may need a little extra time—check one in the center
Serving Ideas
- Serve plain for a classic Amish-style dessert
- Add a splash of cream or milk over the top
- Pair with vanilla ice cream for contrast
- Enjoy leftovers for breakfast (yes, really)
Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store covered for up to 3 days
- Reheat: Microwave gently with a splash of milk or cream
- Freezing: Not recommended (dumplings soften too much)
Final Thoughts
These Slow Cooker Amish 3-Ingredient Winter Spice Dumplings are simple, humble, and deeply comforting—the kind of dessert that feels like a quiet winter evening and a well-worn recipe card. Minimal effort, maximum coziness.