• Home
  • New? Start Here
  • About Diane
  • Contact
    • Advertise/Sponsors
    • Disclosure
  • FAQ’s
  • SHOP
  • Subscribe
  • SEARCH
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

In My Own Style

Top Budget DIY Home Decorating Blog + Creative Lifestyle Ideas + Tutorials.

  • Decorating
    • Spring & Easter Decorating
    • DIY Decorating Projects
    • Decorating Advice
    • Decorating Tips and Tricks
    • No-Sew Decorating Projects
    • Window Treatments
    • Home Improvement
    • Outdoor & Exterior
    • My Current Lake House
    • My Previous House
    • Summer & Patriotic Decorating
    • Fall Decorating Ideas
    • Christmas Decorating Projects & Ideas
  • Organizing
  • Room Makeovers
    • Kitchens
    • Living Rooms
    • Dining Rooms
    • Bedrooms
    • Bathrooms
    • Closets
  • DIY & Crafts
    • Gift Wrapping
    • Recycle, Reuse, Repurpose
    • Insta-Style
    • Free Fonts
    • Free Printables
    • DIY Projects With a Free Printable
  • Paint Anything
    • How to Paint Anything
    • How to Spray Paint FAQ’s
    • How to Paint FAQ’s Answered
    • Invaluable Painting Tips For the Home Decorator
    • Paint Recommendations for the DIY Decorator
  • Furniture Makeovers
    • DIY Faux Finishes
    • New to DIY Chalk Paint?
    • DIY Chalk Paint Recipes For Painting Furniture
    • DIY Chalk Painted Furniture Tutorials
    • Furniture Painting Tips
  • Lifestyle
    • Style Scouting
    • Travels
    • Entertaining
    • Table Settings
    • Recipes
    • Whole Food Plant-Based Living
    • Daily Life

Baked Apples Wrapped In Pie Crust Recipe

October 1, 2019 · By Diane Henkler · 21 Comments

  • Share
  • Tweet
Jump to Recipe
Apple dumpling on plate with fork. Text overlay says Fall Apple Dessert
Image of a plate filled with delicious baked apples wrapped in pie crusts called Cannon Ball apple dumplings.

Baked apples wrapped in pie crust are delicious when made for any season. I think they taste best when made in the fall apple season… warm out of the oven and then covered with a sweet vanilla hard sauce, it will be hard to only eat one.

Today I am taking part in a favorite fall food blog hop where a group of my blogging friends and I are sharing a favorite recipe with you that is best enjoyed when made and eaten in the fall.

Image of a plate filled with delicious baked apples wrapped in pie crusts called Cannon Ball apple dumplings.

Now that it’s apple season, I am sharing an apple dumpling recipe with you., but not just simply apple dumplings…

…but a favorite of my husband, Ed. They also have a fun story behind them.

The apple dumpling recipe is called Cannon Balls or Cannonballs. The recipe comes from Ed’s alma mater, The U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD.

They are the best baked apples I have ever eaten, but be prepared if you make them… you will want to eat more than one – they are delicious eaten warm out of the oven or for a midnight snack warmed up in the microwave.

Breaking apart an Apple Cannonball baked apple with a fork

Apple Cannon Balls, the vanilla hard sauce covered piecrust wrapped apples are a mess hall favorite through generations of midshipmen. If you know one, ask them… how many Cannon Balls they ate while attending the Naval Academy.

Over the years they have also become one of the many annual traditions that happen at the Naval Academy every year.

The Cannonball Run is just one of dozens of traditions…

a baked apple wrapped in piecrust on a plate ready to be eaten

The annual rites of passage for the midshipmen include proving their mettle in the annual push-up contest, giving the campus statue of Tecumseh better war paint, or partaking in the Cannon Ball run to see who can eat the most apple Cannon Balls in one sitting – all in the name of winning.

The Midshipmen believe in the power of these events, where a good showing means they are stronger, better, more enthusiastic and will surely entice the game gods to favor them on the next game day.

Baked apple dumplings covered with hard sauce on a plate.

A fun food story and tradition that has stood the test of time, but the best part is of course how delish these baked apples are…

I bet you can’t eat just one!

How to Make Baked Apples Wrapped In Pie Crust aka…Cannon Balls

Apples being peeled and cored to make apples wrapped in piecrust
  1. Core and peel the apples.
Cored apples wrapped in pastry in a baking dish.

2. Roll out pie crusts, cut circles and wrap around apples.

Baked Apples with Cinnamon filling called Apple Cannonballs

3. Fill center core with brown sugar and cinnamon mixture.

Baked apple dessert getting ready to be baked.

4. Close open top of apple with a piece of pie crust.

Sealing the pastry dough over apples getting ready to be baked in the oven.

5. Seal and smooth pie crust with water and your fingers.

6. Bake and then…

Breaking apart an Apple Cannonball baked apple with a fork

Enjoy.

Baked Apple Cannon Ball Recipe

Baked apple dumplings covered with hard sauce on a plate.
Print Recipe

Baked Apples Wrapped In Pie Crust and Hard Sauce

A US Naval Academy mess hall staple called, Apple Cannonballs. They are basically a baked apple wrapped in piecrust and then covered with a sweet hard sauce. I bet you can't eat just one.
Prep Time20 mins
Cook Time25 mins
Total Time45 mins
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: apple, baked apples, baked apples wrapped in piecrust
Servings: 8 people
Cost: $10.00

Ingredients

  • 8 small-medium sized apples (I used Gala apples)
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 package with 2 ready to bake rolled pie crusts (sold in dairy case)
  • 1 cup water used to dip finger in to smooth dough before baking
  • 1 cup butter (softened)
  • 2 cups confectioner's sugar
  • 3 tsp vanilla
  • 2 egg whites

Instructions

  • Peel and core the apples.
  • Combine brown sugar and cinnamon and mix well.
  • Fill the center of the apples with the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture.
  • Roll out the piecrust/pastry and cut pieces to cover each apple.
  • Seal piecrust/pastry with water and your fingers, closing at the top and bottom to seal each apple. Smooth the pie crust pastry over the entire apple.
  • Place in an ungreased baking dish.
  • Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes or until crusts are golden brown.

For the Hard Sauce

  • Mix butter and powdered sugar in a mixer until well blended.
  • Add the vanilla and beat until well blended. Beat the egg whites until stiff and fold into the sauce.
  • Chill 2 hours.

To Serve

  • When the apples come out of the oven, place on a plate to begin cooling. Remove hard sauce from the refrigerator and let warm a bit before spooning over the baked apples.
  • The baked apples taste best eaten when they are still warm. If they cool, warm in microwave for about 15 seconds.

Today I’m joined by a talented group of blogging friends who are also sharing their Fall Recipe ideas with you! Just click on the links below the images to be taken to see their full post…

Instant Pot Split Pea & Ham Soup at The Happy Housie
Chicken Tortellini with Pumpkin Alfredo at Grace In My Space
Tomato and Goat Cheese Dip at My Sweet Savannah
French Onion Soup in a Breadbowl at My UnCommon Slice of Suburbia
Chicken Lasagna Soup at The Handmade Home

Easy Overnight Breakfast Casserole at The Turquoise Home
Butternut Squash & Sundried Tomato Frittata at Cassie Bustamante
Pumpkin Spice Granola at Craftberry Bush
Saskatoon Berry Muffins at Love Create Celebrate
Quick Sugar Free Applesauce at Aratari at Home

Mason Jar Pumpkin Pies at Modern Glam
Easy Pumpkin Dip at She Gave it a Go
Fall Brioche at Inspiration for Moms
Baked Apple Cider Donuts at Paint Me Pink
Instant Pot Pumpkin Applesauce at Cherished Bliss

Pumpkin Spice Granola at Zevy Joy
Plum Frangipane Dessert at Satori Design for Living
Pumpkin Pie Cream Cheese Ball at Tatertots and Jello
Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles at The DIY Mommy
Apple Cannon Balls at In My Own Style

5 Minute Flaky Pie Crust at Jenna Kate at Home
Pumpkin Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Glaze at Sincerely, Marie Designs
Pumpkin Cheesecake Swirl Brownies at A Pretty Life
Yummy S’Mores Cheese Ball at This is Our Bliss
Pecan Madeleines at Life is a Party

Keto Low Carb Pumpkin Crisp at Summer Adams Designs
Pumpkin Nutella Swirl Bread at Clean & Scentsible

Chinese Almond Cookie Recipe . These are not only delish, but so easy to make. Better make a double batch because once they are made... they will be consumed fast. They also make a great hostess gift when place in a pretty box tied with a ribbon. | In My Own StyleChinese Almond Cookies
Image graphic of just out of the oven buns with an overlay of text that says Better Than Cinnamon Buns.Breakfast Recipe: Coffee Breakers
Valentine Scone Recipe with Pink and Red SprinklesIdiot-Proof Scone Recipe
  • Share
  • Tweet

Filed Under: Recipes

Subscribe
Inspiration In Your Inbox

Inspiration In Your Inbox!

Get my latest posts, insider tips and more by email.

And don't worry, no spam and you can unsubscribe anytime.


« cozy white cottage decorating book
Touring Paris By Bicycle »

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. Nola Norton says

    01/31/2021 at 5:16 pm

    I am wondering how large a circle do we cut? Do we use a biscuit/donut cutter without the hole portion of cutter on it? How big? The rim of a drinking glass? It would seem that it needs to be larger right?

    Reply
    • Diane Henkler says

      02/01/2021 at 2:43 pm

      Hi Nola – When I make them I have used a few things from rim of a coffee cup to bowls depending on the size of the apples I am using. The larger the apple, the larger the circle. You can even just cut circles from the rolled out dough using a knife. You just want the circle to be large enough to wrap up around the apple. You can add a second piece over the top or stretch the dough a little to cover the apple and then smooth with a wet finger.

      I hope this explanation helps.

      Reply
      • Nola Norton says

        02/02/2021 at 12:41 pm

        Thanks Diane!

        That is what I thought! Great!!

        Nola

        Reply
  2. Kris says

    11/17/2020 at 12:19 am

    I put mine in for 45 minutes to get them soft. These were incredible! I added a little pumpkin pie spice and a pinch of cardamon. Will try again, stretching the filling with chopped walnuts and oats. I’m thinking about how to make that wonderful topping lighter. Maybe half the butter, and a sugar substitute. I wish I had paid attention to the part about rolling out the crusts first, I had a devil of a time getting all my apples covered.
    Anyhow, these really were divine, especially on this cold late fall evening. My kids loved them too. They said they smelled like ice cream :) So rich and satisfying. Thank you for posting this recipe!

    Reply
  3. Chuck says

    10/31/2020 at 7:15 pm

    I haven’t had a Cannonball since I graduated in 1976! Definitely going to make these this week.

    Reply
  4. Susan says

    11/10/2019 at 7:47 am

    Finally got around to trying this and yes, definitely delicious! But a couple of questions/comments:
    1. Where does the 1 cup of water come in? In that just to use for sealing the crust?
    2. Egg whites…I didn’t add them since I’m not too keen on eating raw egg products.
    Mine didn’t look too nice…but I don’t care. Nobody here but the dog and he doesn’t care. Not to mention they aren’t going to be hanging around very long. I made 4, working on eating my second one, and the day is young. -:)
    – Susan

    Reply
    • Diane Henkler says

      11/10/2019 at 9:21 am

      Hi Susan – So happy to hear you made and enjoyed the Cannon Balls. Last weekend Ed and I attended a reunion where there were a lot of Naval Academy grads and the mention of Cannon Balls had their mouths watering for one or more.

      Mine didn’t look so pretty either, but like you said, that doesn’t matter since they are so good. The water is for dipping your finger in to then smooth the dough before baking. When I first posted the recipe, I left this step out until another reader asked the same question. I have since then added the step to the recipe.

      Reply
  5. Jennifer Lifford says

    10/05/2019 at 1:55 pm

    These look and sound delicious! I love apple recipes so I’ll definitely have to give them a try. Thanks for the story too – I never knew that!

    Reply
  6. Kristin salazar says

    10/04/2019 at 7:42 pm

    This look so good, can’t wait to give it a try! Thanks so much for sharing with all of us!

    Reply
  7. Flowers Indiawide says

    10/04/2019 at 4:45 am

    Breath-taking one!! Keep up the Good work

    Reply
  8. Lindi says

    10/02/2019 at 6:56 pm

    These look delicious! I’m drooling. Plus my kids would love them! Such a good idea :)

    Reply
  9. Krista says

    10/02/2019 at 7:20 am

    These look so delicious!! Thanks for sharing the recipe and the naval history.

    Reply
  10. Sharon H says

    10/01/2019 at 10:56 pm

    Diane, you know all those things you say you DON’T cook or bake……I think you should gather those recipes and put together a cookbook!
    My goodness but these look amazing!

    Reply
    • Diane Henkler says

      10/04/2019 at 4:40 pm

      Hi Sharon – I really don’t enjoy cooking, but since we have to eat, I try to at least make food as delish as possible. I do find baking in the colder months can add an extra layer of cozy to the house, so I do this more often then actually cook a meal. Maybe I will create a “what you can make when you don’t enjoy cooking cookbook”. :-)

      Reply
      • Sharon H says

        10/04/2019 at 10:10 pm

        I know you have always said how much you don’t enjoy cooking, but it sounds like some good eating in your kitchen? I bet you could sell that cookbook!

        Reply
  11. Ellen Davis says

    10/01/2019 at 2:16 pm

    Our family has always loved baked apples – and I love the Navy story. We always have baked apples in casserole for Thanksgiving and Christmas, but I’m guessing my family would love those Cannon Balls. I come from a military background (army) and I understand love of tradition. My dad was artillery, and he was very unhappy when the Army co-opted the Artillery Song and made it the Army Song. “Over hill, over dale. . . “

    Reply
  12. Gail says

    10/01/2019 at 1:47 pm

    This recipe (Apple cannonballs) looks so delicious . We hanks for sharing g

    Reply
  13. cassie bustamante says

    10/01/2019 at 1:42 pm

    diane, these look utterly divine!!!!! i could dive right in!

    Reply
  14. Jo-Anna says

    10/01/2019 at 1:10 pm

    I love stories and history of food recipes, thank you for sharing! These look amazing…nothing better than apples and pie crust!

    Reply
  15. Cate says

    10/01/2019 at 11:41 am

    Hi Diane.
    This recipe sounds so yummy that I just might give it a try, even though I’m not much of a baker. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  16. Lindsay Aratari says

    10/01/2019 at 7:15 am

    Oh my, these sound amazing!!!! I need to try them out!

    Reply
Diane Henkler Blogger In My Own Style
I love all things creative, colorful, and DIY. It is just the way my brain is wired. I can't add 2+2 to save my life, but I can help you decorate your home in a style that you will love...YOURS! LEARN MORE
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

search

my shop page

Search

Categories

Follow Me

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Disclosure

Some of the links on this blog are affiliate links. InMyOwnStyle.com receives a small commission when certain items are purchased, but the price is the same for you. InMyOwnStyle.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

 

 

Copyright © 2021 In My Own Style, Diane Henkler