Caramel Dumplings with Ice Cream and Custard
Debauched, cosy and nostalgic, Caramel Dumplings with Ice Cream and Custard is the ultimate comfort dessert. These squishy, fluffy balls of dough are cooked on a thick, buttery caramel, and served piping hot, with some vanilla ice cream, and rich custard being served along with it. This is a classic Australian/ New Zealand dessert that can also be referred to as Golden Syrup Dumplings and is quite popular in most homes, particularly in winter seasons.
So here is all you need to know to create these can-controlled dumplings step by step.
Caramel Dumplings Recipe
The dish is a mix of light and fluffy dumplings and it is cooked in the very caramel sauce, picking up its flavor as it bubbles. The result? A smooth and gooey consistency surrounded by the flavor of golden sweetness. To that you can add a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream and pour over it a thick custard and you have the three major components of a dessert classic, hot, cold, and creamy.
It is prepared using basic cupboard ingredients, is easy and fast to prepare, and best of all, involves only one pot!
What Are Caramel Dumplings?
A traditional Australian dessert, Caramel dumplings (also called golden syrup dumplings) are historically-old fashioned. They are a simple combination of a scone-like batter which is dropped into boiling caramel (butter, golden syrup (or brown sugar) and water). The dumplings rise as they are cooked and they soak in the sweetness of the sauce but are light and fluffy on the inside.
This dessert is as indulgent as it gets, creamy, home style and mostly completed with a drizzling of vanilla custard and a side of ice cream.
Caramel Dumplings with Ice Cream and Custard
Course: DessertCuisine: Australian4-6
servings15
minutes25
minutes350-400
kcalIngredients
For the Dumplings:
1 cup (125g) self raising flour
2 tbsp (cold cut) butter
1/3 cup milk
1 tbsp golden syrup (or honey)
A pinch of salt
- For the Caramel Sauce:
1 ½ cups brown sugar
1 tbsp honey like golden syrup
2 cups water
2 tbsp butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
- To Serve:
Vanilla ice cream
Warm custard (store-bought or homemade)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Mix the dough
Mix flour with salt in a mixing bowl. Scrape in the butter with the finger-tips and crumble into breadcrumbs. Add the milk and the golden syrup and mix to make a soft dough. No overworking. Set aside. - Ready caramel sauce
Place brown sugar, water, butter, golden syrup and vanilla in a large and deep saucepan (with a lid). Stirring on medium heat until the butter melts, and dissolves the sugar. Let come to a small boil. - Stir in dumplings in the sauce
With a spoon, use a kind of a drop cake teaspoon of dough into the simmering sauce. Put a gap between one dumpling and another because it will grow. - Simmer covered
Lower the heat to a low. Put the pan on the lid and simmer it for 15-20 minutes. The lid should be lifted minimally to aid in cooking the dumplings. - Test to see if it is cooked Check it
The dumplings are ready when they are puffed, soft and cooked through (poke it with a toothpick). The sauce must be thick caramelized. - Serve warm
Place scoop dumplings into bowls, pour a little caramel sauce and finish with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and warm custard.
Notes
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Dumplings swell in cooking. Use a large deep pan and cook in batches, should it require.
- Put a lid over them: The steam that gets trapped is what does the trick in cooking the dumplings.
- Make ahead tip: To save time, you can prepare the dough and the sauce several hours in advance. Refrigerate and mix to cook.
- Spices: a little cinnamon or nutmeg in the dough is simply delicious.
Nutrition Per Serving (Approx. based on 6 servings)
| Nutrient | Amount |
| Calories | 350–400 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 60g |
| Sugars | 35–40g |
| Protein | 4g |
| Fat | 12g |
| Saturated Fat | 7g |
| Sodium | 200mg |
| Fiber | 1g |
Note: These are estimated values whereas these will be different depending on the size of a portion and toppings.
Recipe FAQs
Is it possible to substitute golden syrup with brown sugar?
Absolutely. Golden syrup is used in more traditional recipes to make it taste more classic. In case you do not, a combination of brown sugar and some honey or maple syrup will work.
Which flour is the best?
Plain flour (All-purpose) is excellent. Also, you may use self-raising flour combined with omission of baking powder.
Do I need to bake these?
No! These are the very easy stove-top cooked dumplings, which are oven free.
Can I use ready-bought custard?
Of course, ready custard is good and timesaving. But this dish goes to the next step with homemade vanilla custard.
Can I Freeze These?
Yes, it is possible to freeze caramel dumplings but preferably they should not be frozen. To freeze:
- It is time to cool dumplings.
- Keep sauce and store in an airtight container.
- Free one to 2 months.
- Overnight, thaw in the fridge then reheat.
Tip: To achieve the best texture, freeze dumplings prior to adding ice cream or custard.
Can I Reheat These Dumplings?
Yes! Warm up over low heat in a pan or with the microwave. When the sauce becomes too thick when stored, add a little water or milk.
Microwave: Heat, on medium in 30 seconds increments, until warm.
Stovetop: Pour a bit of water along with it into a saucepan and then reheat it by stirring it on low heat.
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