Apple Dumplings are a delightfully easy and decadent treat that combine tart apples wrapped in buttery pastry dough, drenched in a sweet soda‑butter sauce, and baked until golden and bubbly. With minimal effort and maximum flavor, this dessert effortlessly elevates humble ingredients into something memorable. You’ll love how the tartness of the apples, the richness of the butter‑sugar sauce, and the flakiness of the crescent roll dough come together in a warm, comforting dish that just happens to taste like autumn in every bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Effortless yet impressive: With only a handful of ingredients, you can have a dessert that tastes like you spent hours on it.
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Unexpected twist: The use of lemon‑lime soda (like Mountain Dew) adds a surprising sparkle and helps create a caramel‑style sauce that’s unforgettable.
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Textural contrast: You get the crisp/savory roll exterior, warm tender apple interior and sticky sweet sauce — all in one dish.
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Versatile: Serve it simply as is, or dress it up with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a special treat.
Ingredients
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2 large Granny Smith apples
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2 cans (8 oz each) refrigerated crescent roll dough
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1 cup unsalted butter
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2 Tbsp unsalted butter (for greasing)
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1½ cups granulated sugar
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
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1 cup Mountain Dew (or equivalent lemon‑lime soda)
Step‑by‑Step: How to Make Apple Dumplings
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Preheat your oven to 350 °F (≈ 175 °C). Butter a 13″×9″ baking dish using the 2 Tbsp butter. Set aside.
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Peel, core and cut each Granny Smith apple into 8 slices (so you’ll have 16 total apple pieces).
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Unroll the crescent roll dough, separate into triangles. Take one apple slice and wrap it in one triangle of dough, sealing the edges around the apple slice. Place each wrapped apple‐slice in the prepared baking dish.
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In a small saucepan over low heat, melt 1 cup of the butter and add the granulated sugar. Stir very gently until the butter is melted and sugar is incorporated, then remove from heat. Stir in the vanilla extract.
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Pour the butter‑sugar‑vanilla mixture evenly over the wrapped apples. Then carefully pour the 1 cup of Mountain Dew around the edges of the pan (not directly over the dumplings) so you don’t saturate the dough and lose the crispness.
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Sprinkle the cinnamon evenly over the top.
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Bake in the preheated oven for 40‑45 minutes, or until the tops of the wrapped apples are golden brown and the dough is cooked through.
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Remove from the oven and allow to rest for a few minutes. Serve warm, ideally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or some whipped cream, and spoon some of the syrup from the pan over the top.
Helpful Tips
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Make sure to pour the soda around the edges, not over the tops of the dough, to keep the pastry from becoming soggy and ensure it crisps beautifully.
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Use a tart, firm apple (like Granny Smith) that will hold its shape during baking and contrast nicely with the sweet sauce.
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Serve immediately while the sauce is still bubbly and the pastry is crisp. The texture is best when fresh.
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Place your baking dish on a baking sheet in the oven to catch any bubbling syrup that might overflow.
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Use a thick‐walled dish (glass or ceramic) for even bake and warm sauce retention.
Substitutions and Variations
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Soda substitute: If you don’t have Mountain Dew, you can use another lemon‑lime soda (e.g., Sprite or 7‑Up) though the flavor profile will be slightly different.
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Dough alternative: Instead of crescent roll dough, you could use store‑bought pie crust or homemade pastry — the concept still works.
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Fruit variation: While apples are classic, you could try pears or peaches in place of apples for a twist.
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Spice boost: Add a pinch of nutmeg or all‑spice to the cinnamon to deepen the flavor.
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Sugar swap: Some versions use brown sugar or a mix of brown + granulated sugar for richer caramel tones.
Storage Instructions
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Short term: Once cooled, cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil (or transfer portions to an airtight container) and store in the refrigerator for up to 2‑3 days.
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Reheat: To reheat, place in a 350 °F oven for about 10‑15 minutes until warmed through and the sauce is bubbly again. Avoid the microwave if you want to preserve crispness of the dough.
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Freezing: While not ideal for best texture, you can freeze leftovers for up to 2‑3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat as above.
Nutritional Information
(This is an estimate per serving given 16 dumplings total)
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Calories: ~250‑300 kcal
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Fat: ~12‑15 g (from butter and dough)
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Carbohydrates: ~35‑40 g (from sugar, dough, and apple)
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Sugar: ~20‑25 g
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Fiber: ~1‑2 g
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Note: This is a rich dessert — the butter‑sugar sauce and soda add significant sweetness and calories. Enjoy in moderation.
Serving Suggestions
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Serve immediately while warm, with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream. The cold cream‑to‑warm sauce contrast is divine.
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Drizzle some of the pan sauce over each serving for extra richness.
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For extra indulgence, top with freshly whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon or a dash of ground nutmeg.
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Pair with a hot cup of coffee or tea for a cozy dessert after dinner.
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Alternatively, serve in mini Ramekins for individual portions at a dinner party.
Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Dumplings
Q: Are there other apple varieties I can use instead?
Absolutely! While Granny Smith apples are ideal due to their tartness and firm texture, you can also use other types like Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Gala, or Pink Lady. Just note that sweeter apples may result in a softer texture and a sweeter overall flavor.
Q: Why does the recipe call for soda (Mountain Dew or lemon‑lime)?
A: The soda adds carbonation and extra liquid to the sauce, helping to make the sauce lighter and more bubbly, and it contributes to the caramelization of the sugar‑butter mixture. It also adds a lemon‑lime brightness that complements the apples. Avoid diet soda or sugar‑free soda here, because the sugar content is important to the sauce’s texture and flavor.
Q: What if the dough stays soggy or doesn’t crisp?
A: Make sure you wrap each apple slice well and seal the dough edges, and pour the soda around the edges (not directly over the dough) so the pastry gets exposed and can brown. Also ensure your oven is fully preheated, and don’t overcrowd the pan — the dumplings need space for air circulation.
Q: Can I prepare this ahead of time?
A: You can assemble the dumplings ahead of time (wrap the apple slices in dough and place in the baking dish), then refrigerate until ready to bake. You may need to add a few extra minutes to baking time if the dish is chilled. However, for optimal crispiness, it’s best baked fresh.
Conclusion
Thank you so much for stopping by and checking out this Apple Dumplings recipe! I hope you have as much fun making it as I do — the flavors are rich and comforting, the method is straightforward, and the result is pure dessert joy. Nothing beats the smell of buttery, cinnamon‑spiced apples baking in the oven, and the “wow” moment when you serve it warm with ice cream. May your kitchen be filled with delightful baking memories, and may every bite of this dish bring a smile to your face. Happy cooking, and welcome to our community of food‑lovers — enjoy every sweet, sticky, buttery bite!
Print
Apple Dumplings
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 16 dumplings 1x
Description
Apple Dumplings are a quick, cozy dessert featuring tart apples wrapped in crescent rolls, baked in a sweet butter-soda sauce.
Ingredients
2 large Granny Smith apples
2 cans (8 oz each) refrigerated crescent rolls
1 cup unsalted butter
2 Tbsp unsalted butter (for greasing)
1½ cups granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup Mountain Dew (or other lemon-lime soda)
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350 °F (≈ 175 °C). Butter a 13″×9″ baking dish using the 2 Tbsp butter. Set aside.
-
Peel, core and cut each Granny Smith apple into 8 slices (so you’ll have 16 total apple pieces).
-
Unroll the crescent roll dough, separate into triangles. Take one apple slice and wrap it in one triangle of dough, sealing the edges around the apple slice. Place each wrapped apple‐slice in the prepared baking dish.
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In a small saucepan over low heat, melt 1 cup of the butter and add the granulated sugar. Stir very gently until the butter is melted and sugar is incorporated, then remove from heat. Stir in the vanilla extract.
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Pour the butter‑sugar‑vanilla mixture evenly over the wrapped apples. Then carefully pour the 1 cup of Mountain Dew around the edges of the pan (not directly over the dumplings) so you don’t saturate the dough and lose the crispness.
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Sprinkle the cinnamon evenly over the top.
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Bake in the preheated oven for 40‑45 minutes, or until the tops of the wrapped apples are golden brown and the dough is cooked through.
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Remove from the oven and allow to rest for a few minutes. Serve warm, ideally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or some whipped cream, and spoon some of the syrup from the pan over the top.
Notes
Use real Mountain Dew or similar soda — no diet!
Do not pour soda over the dumplings directly.
Granny Smith apples work best, but others like Honeycrisp or Pink Lady can also be used.
For best texture, bake fresh and serve warm.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Desserts
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 dumpling
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 24g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Protein: 2g