These Easy Apple Dumplings are a dessert revelation, combining the comforting flavors of cinnamon and apple with the incredible convenience of store-bought crescent rolls. Baked to golden perfection and drenched in a buttery, sugary, lemon-lime soda sauce, they emerge from the oven as individual pockets of pure bliss. The aroma alone is enough to transport you to a cozy, happy place, making them an instant family favorite for any occasion.
Easy Apple Dumplings: A Simple & Irresistible Dessert
There’s a special kind of magic that happens when apples meet cinnamon and sugar. While many associate apple desserts with crisp autumn days, I firmly believe that apple recipes are a delight to be enjoyed year-round. From pies to tarts, crisps to crumbles, the versatility of apples means there’s always a new way to savor their sweet-tart goodness. Among my absolute favorite and most frequently requested apple creations are these incredibly simple yet utterly delicious apple dumplings.
What makes this recipe stand out isn’t just its fantastic flavor profile, but also its remarkable ease. Utilizing ready-made crescent rolls dramatically cuts down on prep time, making it perfect for busy weeknights or when you need a quick dessert to impress guests. The real secret weapon, however, is the lemon-lime soda poured over the dumplings before baking. This seemingly unconventional ingredient creates an astonishingly rich, sweet, and slightly tangy caramel-like sauce that pools at the bottom of the baking dish, elevating these humble dumplings to an extraordinary treat.
Frequently Asked Questions About Easy Apple Dumplings
Absolutely! Peaches are a fantastic substitute for apples in this dessert, offering a wonderful change of pace, especially when fresh peaches are in season. The sweet, juicy peaches combine beautifully with the buttery, cinnamon-sugar sauce. If you’re keen to try it, I highly recommend checking out a dedicated recipe for FRESH PEACH DUMPLINGS for specific adjustments.
Yes, for a standard batch yielding 4 servings (two dumplings per serving), one good-sized green apple is perfectly sufficient. Each crescent roll gets one apple slice, and a medium to large apple typically provides 8 slices. If you’re hosting a larger gathering or simply want more of these delightful treats, you can easily double the recipe and bake it in a larger 9×13 inch baking dish to get 8 servings. Always make sure your apple is fresh and firm for the best texture.
This is a common concern, but rest assured, the traditional crescent roll flavor is largely masked in this recipe. When the crescent rolls bake, they absorb the incredible flavors from the cinnamon, sugar, butter, and lemon-lime soda. The dough transforms into a tender, sweet, and flaky pastry that complements the apple filling and rich sauce beautifully. Many people who are typically not fans of crescent rolls find themselves loving these dumplings.
These dumplings are undeniably sweet, designed to be a delightful dessert. However, “sweetness” is often subjective. What one person finds perfectly balanced, another might find overly sweet. I believe these strike just the right balance of sweetness, but if you are particularly sensitive to sweet flavors, you might consider slightly reducing the sugar in the butter mixture. Conversely, for those with an extra sweet tooth, a little more cinnamon or a drizzle of caramel on top can enhance the experience. It’s always best to try the recipe as written first and then adjust to your personal taste in subsequent batches.
While I don’t regularly bake with sugar substitutes, and therefore cannot provide a definitive answer on the precise outcome, many readers have successfully experimented with them. If you’re accustomed to baking with sugar substitutes, you likely have a good understanding of how they behave in various recipes. For best results, I’d suggest consulting specific baking guides for sugar substitutes and making small adjustments based on your experience. Keep in mind that sugar not only adds sweetness but also contributes to texture and browning, which might be altered with substitutes.
For apple dumplings, firm, tart apples work best as they hold their shape during baking and provide a nice contrast to the sweetness of the sauce. Granny Smith apples are a classic choice, offering a crisp texture and bright tartness. Other excellent options include Honeycrisp, Fuji, Braeburn, or Golden Delicious. Avoid softer, mealier apples like Red Delicious, as they tend to become mushy when baked.
These dumplings are truly best when served warm, straight from the oven. However, you can do some prep work in advance. You can peel and slice the apple, keeping the slices in a bowl of lightly salted water or lemon water to prevent browning. You can also mix the butter, sugar, vanilla, and flour mixture ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Assemble the dumplings just before baking for the freshest, most delicious results. Baking them completely ahead of time and then reheating might affect the crispness of the crescent rolls and the freshness of the apple.
Lemon-lime soda like Sprite or Mountain Dew is key to creating that unique, bubbly, caramel-like sauce. Its carbonation and citrus notes perfectly cut through the richness of the butter and sugar. While it’s highly recommended for the authentic taste, if you absolutely cannot use it, some alternatives might include ginger ale, cream soda, or even apple juice mixed with a splash of lemon juice for some acidity. However, the resulting sauce’s flavor and texture will be different. The carbonation of the soda truly contributes to the sauce’s consistency.
Essential Ingredients for Your Apple Dumplings
Gathering your ingredients is the first exciting step towards making these delightful dumplings. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the use of readily available items that, when combined, create something truly magical. Each ingredient plays a vital role in achieving that perfect balance of sweet, tart, and tender.
- Green Apple: A crisp, tart green apple (such as Granny Smith or Golden Delicious) is crucial. Its acidity balances the sweetness of the other ingredients and ensures the apple slices hold their shape during baking.
- Crescent Rolls: Store-bought refrigerated crescent rolls are the star of convenience here. They provide a flaky, buttery wrapper that transforms into a tender pastry around the apple.
- Butter: Melted salted butter forms the base of our luscious sauce, adding richness and helping the sugar and cinnamon meld beautifully.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar contributes the primary sweetness to both the apple filling and the irresistible sauce.
- Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla enhances the overall flavor profile, adding warmth and depth to the butter and sugar mixture.
- Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon is the quintessential spice for apple desserts, bringing a comforting aroma and classic flavor. Don’t be shy with a little extra sprinkle!
- Flour: Just a small amount of all-purpose flour helps to thicken the sauce slightly, giving it a perfect consistency as it bakes.
- Lemon-Lime Soda: This is the secret ingredient! The carbonation and citrus notes in lemon-lime soda (like Sprite or Mountain Dew) create a bubbly, tangy, and incredibly flavorful caramel-like sauce that truly sets these dumplings apart.
How to Make Easy Apple Dumplings: A Step-by-Step Guide
Get ready to create a dessert that tastes like it took hours but comes together in a flash. Follow these simple steps for perfectly baked, saucy apple dumplings every time.
Prepare Your Baking Dish: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Then, take an 8-inch square baking pan and generously spray it with nonstick cooking spray. This crucial step ensures your delicious dumplings and their amazing sauce don’t stick to the bottom, making serving and cleanup a breeze. If you’re doubling the recipe, opt for a 9×13 inch pan.
Prepare the Apple: Carefully peel and core your green apple. Once cored, cut the apple into 8 uniform slices. Aim for slices that are roughly ¼ to ½ inch thick so they cook through evenly and fit nicely within the crescent rolls. Using a sharp knife will make this process safer and more efficient.
Season the Crescent Rolls: Open your tube of crescent rolls and unroll the dough. Separate it into 8 individual triangles along the perforations. Lay each triangle flat and lightly sprinkle a small amount of ground cinnamon on the wider end of the crescent roll dough. This ensures a burst of cinnamon flavor with every bite of the apple.
Roll the Dumplings: Place one apple slice on the wider, cinnamon-dusted end of each crescent roll triangle. Gently roll the dough up, starting from the wider end and moving towards the narrower point, creating a neat little bundle that fully encloses the apple slice. Repeat this process for all 8 apple slices and crescent rolls.
Arrange in Baking Dish: Once all 8 dumplings are rolled, arrange them in a single layer in your prepared 8-inch square baking dish. Make sure they fit snugly but aren’t overcrowded, allowing space for the sauce to bubble around them.
Prepare the Butter Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter, granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, and vanilla extract. Whisk these ingredients together until they are smooth and well-combined. This mixture will form the rich, buttery layer of your sauce.
Pour the Butter Mixture: Carefully pour the butter, sugar, flour, and vanilla mixture evenly over the tops of all the crescent roll dumplings in the baking dish. Don’t worry if it looks like a lot; this mixture will spread and coat the dumplings beautifully as it bakes.
Add the Secret Ingredient: Now for the magic! Gently pour the lemon-lime soda around the edges of the crescent rolls in the baking dish. Avoid pouring it directly over the dumplings themselves; let it seep into the gaps. If desired, you can sprinkle a little more ground cinnamon over the tops of the dumplings for extra flavor and a beautiful finish.
Bake to Perfection: Place the baking dish in your preheated oven and bake for approximately 35-40 minutes. The dumplings are ready when they are golden brown, puffed up, and the sauce is bubbly and thickened. The scent filling your kitchen will be absolutely irresistible! Once baked, the dumplings will create the most amazing, rich, and syrupy sauce at the bottom of the pan – make sure to scoop this up generously when serving!
Serve and Enjoy: These Easy Apple Dumplings can be savored on their own, allowing the pure flavors to shine. However, for an extra indulgent experience, serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. The contrast of the warm, saucy dumpling with cold, creamy toppings is simply divine. Don’t forget to spoon plenty of that incredible sauce over the top!
Tips for Perfect Apple Dumplings Every Time
- Choose the Right Apple: As mentioned, firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp are ideal. They hold their shape and provide a pleasant tang that cuts through the sweetness.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Give your dumplings a bit of space to breathe in the baking dish. This allows the sauce to bubble and caramelize evenly around each one. If making a double batch, use a larger 9×13 inch pan.
- Even Apple Slices: Try to cut your apple slices to a similar thickness. This ensures they cook at the same rate and become tender without being mushy.
- Seal the Crescent Rolls Well: Make sure your apple slices are fully enclosed in the crescent roll dough. This prevents the apple from drying out and helps maintain the dumpling’s shape.
- Pour Soda Around Edges: When adding the lemon-lime soda, pour it gently around the edges of the pan, rather than directly over the dumplings. This helps the sauce form properly beneath and around the pastry without making the tops soggy.
- Serve Warm: While they’re still tasty at room temperature, these apple dumplings are undeniably best served warm, allowing the rich sauce to remain fluid and the pastry to be at its most tender.
- Scoop Up the Sauce: The sauce that forms at the bottom of the pan is truly the highlight. Don’t forget to spoon extra sauce over each dumpling when serving!
Variations & Substitutions
- Different Fruits: While apples are classic, try sliced firm peaches, pears, or even canned pie filling for a twist. Ensure canned fruits are well-drained.
- Spice It Up: Enhance the cinnamon with a pinch of nutmeg, allspice, or apple pie spice in the butter mixture.
- Nutty Crunch: Add a sprinkle of chopped pecans or walnuts over the dumplings before baking for an added texture and flavor dimension.
- Different Soda: If lemon-lime isn’t your favorite, ginger ale or cream soda can also work, though they will subtly alter the sauce’s flavor profile. For a less sweet option, you could even try plain sparkling water with a squeeze of lemon, though the caramelization effect might be reduced.
- Caramel Drizzle: For an extra decadent touch, drizzle a store-bought caramel sauce over the baked dumplings before serving.
- Sugar Alternatives: As mentioned in the FAQ, sugar substitutes can be used, but be mindful that the texture and caramelization of the sauce might vary. Experiment with a small batch first.
Serving Suggestions
These Easy Apple Dumplings are a phenomenal dessert on their own, but they truly shine when paired with complementary toppings. The warm, tender pastry and rich, sweet sauce provide a perfect canvas for a variety of additions:
- Vanilla Ice Cream: The classic choice! A generous scoop of cold vanilla ice cream melting over the warm dumplings creates an irresistible hot-and-cold sensation.
- Whipped Cream: A dollop of freshly whipped cream adds a light, airy contrast to the rich dessert.
- Caramel Sauce: For serious indulgence, an extra drizzle of homemade or store-bought caramel sauce takes these dumplings to the next level.
- Chopped Nuts: Toasted pecans or walnuts sprinkled on top provide a lovely crunch and nutty flavor that complements the apples and cinnamon.
- Extra Cinnamon or Nutmeg: A final dusting of cinnamon or a tiny pinch of freshly grated nutmeg can enhance the aromatic experience.
- Lemon Zest: A little fresh lemon zest over the finished product can add a bright, fresh note that cuts through the sweetness beautifully.
Storage and Reheating
While these apple dumplings are undeniably best enjoyed fresh and warm from the oven, you might find yourself with leftovers – a rare but welcome occurrence!
- Storage: Allow any leftover dumplings to cool completely. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. The sauce tends to thicken and become more jelly-like when chilled.
- Reheating: For best results, reheat individual servings in the microwave for 30-60 seconds, or until warmed through. Alternatively, you can reheat them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until warm, ensuring the crescent roll regains some of its crispness. Be sure to spoon some of the glorious thickened sauce over them when reheating!
WANT MORE RECIPES?
If you loved these Easy Apple Dumplings, you’ll definitely want to explore more delightful desserts and comforting treats. Here are some of my other favorite recipes that might catch your eye:
- Fresh Peach Dumplings
- Cinni Minis
- Apple Dessert Pizza
- Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars
- Crescent Cherry Cheesecake Cobbler
- Crescent Roll Apple Danishes
- Puff Pastry Apple Pies
- Fried Apples
- Fried Apple Pies
- Apple Turnovers
- Blueberry Cheesecake Crescent Rolls
- 40 Fall Apple Recipes
Originally published: September 2011
Updated photos & republished: June 2019
Easy Apple Dumplings
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Ingredients
- 1 green apple (Granny Smith or Golden Delicious)
- 8 ounce tube crescent rolls
- ½ cup (1 stick) salted butter, melted
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (more, to taste)
- 1 ½ Tablespoons flour
- ¾ cup lemon lime soda (Sprite or Mountain Dew)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray an 8-inch square pan with nonstick spray.
- Peel and core apple. Cut apple into 8 slices.
- Unroll tube of crescent rolls and separate into 8 pieces.
- On each roll, sprinkle with a bit of cinnamon. Add one apple slice.
- Roll it up in a nice little bundle. Continue with the next 7 rolls the same way.
- Place all 8 dumplings into a single layer in baking dish.
- Mix together melted butter with sugar, vanilla and flour.
- Pour butter mixture on top of crescent rolls.
- Pour soda around the edges of the crescent rolls.
- Sprinkle tops with a bit more cinnamon if you prefer.
- Bake in preheated oven for about 35-40 minutes.
- Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.
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Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.