⏳ Yield & Time

Yield: 15-20 servings

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

🍽 Ingredients

• 1 lb Ground pork
• 1 Apple (medium)
• 1/4 cup, finely chopped Onion
• 1 tablespoon Soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon Ginger, ground
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• about 15-20 Dumpling wrappers
• 1/2 cup Granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup Water
• 1/4 cup Heavy cream

📖 Instructions

1. First things first: Prepare the pork filling. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 lb ground pork, 1/2 cup finely chopped apple (about 1 medium apple), 1/4 cup finely chopped onion, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Mix everything together thoroughly using a wooden spoon until evenly combined. Make sure the apple is really finely chopped, you don't want big chunks in your dumplings. If the mixture seems too dry, you can add a tablespoon of water at a time, but be careful not to add too much!
2. Next, prepare the dumpling wrappers. If using store-bought wrappers, just make sure they're ready to go! If making your own (oh, so much more rewarding!), refer to your favorite dumpling wrapper recipe! This takes extra time, but I promise it is worth it. My grandma used to make the best dumpling wrappers...sigh.
3. Now, assemble the dumplings. Place a spoonful of pork filling into the center of each dumpling wrapper. About a tablespoon should be just right, but you might need to experiment a little to figure out your perfect spoonful. Don't overfill though, or they'll burst when steaming.
4. Fold and pleat each wrapper carefully. There are so many dumpling folding techniques, feel free to get creative! The goal is to fully seal the filling within the wrapper and ensure the dumplings hold their shape during steaming.
5. Prepare for steaming. Fill a large saucepan about halfway with water. Bring the water to a rolling boil. Place a steamer basket inside the saucepan, ensuring the basket is above the water level. This is crucial to avoid soggy dumplings!
6. Steam the dumplings! Carefully place the assembled dumplings in the steamer basket, ensuring they aren't overcrowded. This is important for even steaming. Cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid and steam for about 12-15 minutes, or until the dumplings are cooked through and the pork is no longer pink. Use tongs to gently check for doneness; they should feel firm to the touch.
7. While the dumplings are steaming, prepare the caramel sauce. In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1/4 cup water. Cook over medium heat, without stirring, until the sugar melts and turns into a light amber caramel. This takes patience! Don't stir, or you risk crystallizing the sugar. It'll be worth the wait. Once the caramel is ready, carefully pour in 1/4 cup of heavy cream (be very careful because it will bubble up!), whisking constantly to avoid burning. Whisk until smooth and glossy. It's so satisfying to watch that glossy caramel take shape!
8. Once the dumplings are cooked, carefully remove them from the steamer. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and immediately drizzle the warm caramel sauce over them. You don't want to wait for the sauce to cool completely, as it will set faster. Yum!
9. Serve immediately! The dumplings are best enjoyed immediately after steaming, while the caramel sauce is still warm and gooey. Serve with a side of your favorite dipping sauce, if you like. They're amazing on their own, but a side of soy sauce or chili garlic sauce can really add some oomph. Enjoy your delicious steamed pork and apple dumplings! I bet you'll want to make another batch immediately!

📝 Notes

• Feel free to adjust the amount of ginger or soy sauce to your preference. A touch of five-spice powder in the pork filling adds a lovely warmth too!
• If making your own wrappers, allow them to rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to make rolling easier.
• For a richer caramel, let the sugar cook until it reaches a deeper amber color. But be careful, darker caramel can burn more easily.