If there’s one cozy dessert that instantly brings back the joy of autumn afternoons, it’s Easy Apple Dumplings. Imagine tart Granny Smith apples, each wedge lovingly wrapped in flaky crescent dough, all blanketed with a buttery spiced sauce and baked until bubbling and golden. The aroma alone is enough to get everyone rushing to the kitchen! These dumplings are the perfect way to savor apple season, but honestly, they taste like homemade comfort any time of year. Whether you’re new to baking or a seasoned pro, this recipe will become a go-to treat you’ll want to share with everyone.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in Easy Apple Dumplings pulls its weight, balancing flavor and simplicity for a dessert that’s as easy as it is impressive. Here’s a quick rundown on why each component matters and how you can make every bite absolutely delicious.
- Granny Smith apples: Their tartness stands up beautifully to the rich, sweet sauce for the perfect tangy-sweet bite.
- Refrigerated crescent roll dough: This shortcut guarantees pillowy, golden pastry without any fuss.
- Unsalted butter: Essential for that luscious, glossy sauce that melds with both apples and dough.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps the sauce caramelize in the oven.
- Light brown sugar: Brings a hint of molasses and deepens the overall flavor profile.
- Vanilla extract: A dash of pure vanilla enhances every note of apple and spice.
- Ground cinnamon: Just enough to add warmth and classic fall flavor to the dumplings.
- Lemon-lime soda: The secret ingredient! It creates an ultra-moist dumpling and light, effervescent sauce in the pan.
How to Make Easy Apple Dumplings
Step 1: Prep Your Apples
Start by peeling, coring, and slicing your Granny Smith apples into perfectly even wedges. Each apple should yield eight slices—just right for wrapping with the crescent dough. This ensures that every dumpling bakes evenly and absorbs all that incredible sauce.
Step 2: Wrap with Crescent Dough
Pop open your cans of refrigerated crescent rolls and unroll the triangles. Place one apple wedge on the wide end of each triangle and roll tightly, tucking in the corners as you go. The dough will hug each apple slice, poised to bake up pillowy and golden in the oven.
Step 3: Arrange in Baking Dish
Once all the apple wedges are snugly wrapped, place them seam side down in a well-greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Keep them close together so they can help keep each other upright as they bake, catching every drop of syrup.
Step 4: Make the Buttery Sauce
In a medium saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Stir in both sugars, the vanilla extract, and cinnamon until the mixture is smooth and just starts to bubble at the edges. This sauce will soak into each dumpling and infuse the apples with sweet, spiced goodness.
Step 5: Pour and Soda Magic
Pour your warm butter-sugar mixture evenly over the dumplings, making sure each one gets coated. Next, slowly pour the lemon-lime soda along the edges of the pan—don’t pour it directly onto the dumplings! The soda will create a gently effervescent pool around the dough, helping everything bake up moist and tender.
Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the crescent rolls are golden brown and the sauce is bubbling. Let the dumplings cool slightly before serving, so the sauce thickens just enough to spoon over the top.
How to Serve Easy Apple Dumplings
Garnishes
Nothing beats a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream melting over a warm dumpling, but you can also dust with powdered sugar, a sprinkle of extra cinnamon, or even a drizzle of caramel sauce for a little extra flair. Sometimes a simple dollop of whipped cream is all it takes to make each serving shine.
Side Dishes
Easy Apple Dumplings are rich and sweet, so pair them with something light: a fresh fruit salad, sharp cheddar cheese, or plain Greek yogurt all make a fantastic contrast. If you’re really embracing the autumn vibes, a mug of hot cider or strong black coffee rounds everything off beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun party twist, serve each dumpling in an individual ramekin with a little pool of that magical sauce. You can also slice and arrange dumplings on a platter, topped with sugared cranberries or roasted pecans for festive gatherings. Or, try miniature versions made with half-size apple slivers for a bite-sized dessert spread!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once your Easy Apple Dumplings have cooled, store leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator. The flavors only deepen overnight, and they’ll keep beautifully for up to 3 days. Make sure the dumplings are in a single layer so they don’t get soggy.
Freezing
To freeze, let the dumplings cool completely and place them in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers. They’ll keep their flavor and texture for up to 2 months. When you’re ready for a treat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheating
For the best results, reheat your Easy Apple Dumplings uncovered in a 325°F oven for 10 to 15 minutes until warmed through and crisp again. You can microwave them in a pinch, but the oven helps the pastry stay flaky and delicious.
FAQs
Can I use a different type Dessert
Absolutely! While Granny Smith apples hold up best and offer a fantastic tang, you can also use Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Braeburn apples for a sweeter twist. Just make sure to slice them in even wedges for consistent baking.
Is there a substitute for lemon-lime soda?
If you don’t have lemon-lime soda, Mountain Dew works beautifully, or you can try ginger ale for a light, spicy variation. The soda adds moisture and lift but won’t leave its own strong flavor.
Can I make Easy Apple Dumplings ahead of time?
You can assemble the dumplings (apples wrapped in dough) a few hours before baking and keep them covered in the fridge. Right before baking, pour on the sauce and soda for best results.
How do I prevent the bottoms from getting soggy?
Quickly pouring the soda just around the edges of the pan (not over the dumplings) helps keep the bottoms crisp while still allowing moisture to steam up and cook the apples perfectly.
Are Easy Apple Dumplings vegetarian?
Yes! None of the ingredients here contain meat products, so this cozy dessert is a fantastic vegetarian treat that everyone can enjoy.
Final Thoughts
Few desserts can evoke the comforts of home like Easy Apple Dumplings, and once you try them, you’ll see why this recipe is so beloved. The incredible aroma, the melt-in-your-mouth pastry, and that dreamy, spiced apple center—every bite feels like a warm hug. I hope this recipe finds its way to your family table soon!
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Easy Apple Dumplings Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 16 dumplings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Easy Apple Dumplings are a delightful dessert perfect for fall. Juicy apple slices wrapped in buttery crescent roll dough, baked to perfection, and topped with a sweet cinnamon sauce. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a comforting treat.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 2 large Granny Smith apples (peeled, cored, and cut into 8 wedges each)
- 2 cans (8 oz each) refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 can (12 oz) lemon-lime soda (such as Sprite or 7UP)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare baking dish: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Wrap the apples: Wrap each apple wedge in a crescent roll triangle, starting at the wide end and rolling tightly.
- Arrange in baking dish: Place all dumplings in the prepared baking dish.
- Prepare the sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon until combined and just beginning to bubble.
- Add sauce and soda: Pour the mixture evenly over the dumplings. Slowly pour the lemon-lime soda around the edges of the pan (not directly on top of the dumplings).
- Bake: Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the sauce is bubbling.
- Serve: Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- You can substitute Mountain Dew for the soda, or add a pinch of nutmeg for extra spice.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge and reheated gently in the oven.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 dumpling
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 21g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
