Easy Apple Dumplings Recipe

The Best Easy Apple Dumplings Recipe For Fall Sweetness

Baking these delightful apple dumplings will transport you to a cozy autumn afternoon with their warm, fragrant embrace.

Sweet aromas drift through kitchens, promising comfort in every bite.

Crisp pastry wraps tender apples, creating a dessert that feels like a loving hug.

Cinnamon and nutmeg dance together, whispering memories of grandmother’s special treats.

Each dumpling tells a story of simple ingredients transformed into something magical.

Buttery, golden-brown parcels peek from the baking dish, beckoning you closer.

Prepare to fall in love with this irresistible classic that turns ordinary moments into delicious celebrations.

Storage Advice for Easy Apple Dumplings

  • Store cooled apple dumplings in an airtight container for up to 3 days, keeping them fresh and preventing moisture loss.
  • Wrap individual dumplings tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container for maximum 2 months, preserving their delicious flavor.
  • Warm individual dumplings on a microwave-safe plate for 30-45 seconds, checking halfway to ensure even heating and prevent sogginess.
  • Restore crispness by placing dumplings in a 325F oven for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to prevent over-browning and maintain moisture.

FAQs About Easy Apple Dumplings

  • Can I use a different type of soda instead of Mountain Dew?

Yes, you can substitute Mountain Dew with any clear lemon-lime soda like Sprite or 7-Up. The carbonation helps create a light, crispy texture for the dumplings.

  • Do I need to peel the apples before making this recipe?

No, you don’t have to peel the apples. The apple skin adds nutrients and helps hold the slice together when wrapping it in the crescent roll.

  • What kind of apples work best for this recipe?

Firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp are ideal. They hold their shape well during baking and provide a nice balance to the sweet sauce.

Reasons to Love Easy Apple Dumplings

  • Quick to Craft: Minimal kitchen skills needed, perfect for beginners wanting a delightful dessert without complex techniques.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Combines classic apple flavor with sweet crescent roll wrapping, guaranteed to satisfy both kids and adults with its nostalgic taste.
  • Flexible Serving Option: Transforms from a simple dessert to an impressive treat when topped with vanilla ice cream, making it suitable for casual family dinners or casual gatherings with friends.
  • Budget-Friendly Indulgence: Uses readily available ingredients like crescent rolls and everyday pantry staples, ensuring an affordable yet delicious dessert that doesn't break the bank.

Ingredients for Easy Apple Dumplings

Main Ingredients:

Apples: Fresh apples provide the core fruity filling for these delightful dumplings.

Crescent Rolls: Soft, buttery dough that wraps around the apple slices to create a flaky exterior.

Sauce Ingredients:
  • Butter: Adds rich, creamy flavor to the sauce and helps create a golden brown finish.
  • Brown Sugar: Creates a sweet, caramel-like syrup that coats the dumplings.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall sweetness and adds depth to the flavor profile.
  • Cinnamon: Provides a warm, aromatic spice that complements the apple filling.
  • Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the other flavors in the sauce.
Liquid Ingredient:
  • Mountain Dew or Lemon-Lime Soda: Adds moisture and creates a unique, slightly sweet liquid base during baking.
Optional Serving Suggestion:
  • Vanilla Ice Cream: Provides a cool, creamy contrast to the warm, sweet apple dumplings.

How to Prepare Easy Apple Dumplings

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a cozy 350F (175C). Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and give it a quick spray of cooking oil to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Slice and Dice Apples

Take your apples and transform them into eight perfect wedges. You’ll end up with 16 delightful apple slices ready for wrapping.

Step 3: Wrap with Crescent Magic

Grab your crescent roll dough and lovingly wrap each apple slice, starting from the wider end. Nestle these little bundles into your prepared baking dish like they’re tucking in for a warm nap.

Step 4: Craft the Decadent Sauce

In a small saucepan, melt butter until it’s silky smooth. Stir in brown sugar until they become best friends. Add these ingredients:
  • Vanilla extract
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt

Let the mixture bubble with flavor, then remove from heat.

Step 5: Drench with Liquid Gold

Pour your buttery sauce evenly over the apple dumplings, ensuring each one gets a luxurious coating.

Step 6: Soda Bath

Gently pour lemon-lime soda around the edges of the baking dish. Be careful not to disturb your perfectly wrapped apple treasures.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking dish into the oven and let the magic happen. Bake for 30-40 minutes until the dumplings turn a gorgeous golden brown and the sauce starts to dance and bubble.

Step 8: Serve with Love

Pull out your masterpiece and serve these heavenly dumplings while they’re warm. A scoop of vanilla ice cream on top takes this dessert from amazing to absolutely mind-blowing. Drizzle extra sauce from the dish for ultimate indulgence.

Pro Tips for Easy Apple Dumplings

  • Prevent Soggy Bottoms: Blot the apple slices with a paper towel before wrapping to remove excess moisture and ensure crisp pastry.
  • Enhance Flavor Depth: Sprinkle chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts between the apple and crescent roll for added crunch and taste.
  • Control Sweetness Level: Adjust the brown sugar quantity based on the apple's natural sweetness to create a balanced dessert.
  • Maximize Sauce Absorption: Let the dumplings rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to allow the sauce to fully soak into the pastry.
  • Elevate Serving Style: Garnish with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an elegant presentation.

Variation Ideas for Easy Apple Dumplings

  • Healthier Apple Wrap: Substitute crescent rolls with whole wheat tortillas for added fiber. Use coconut sugar instead of brown sugar to reduce refined sugar intake.
  • Gluten-Free Version: Replace crescent rolls with gluten-free pastry dough or almond flour wraps. Use gluten-free sprite or seltzer water as the liquid component.
  • Vegan Apple Pastry: Swap butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine. Use plant-based crescent rolls and replace Mountain Dew with apple juice. Serve with dairy-free vanilla ice cream.
  • Low-Carb Alternative: Use thin almond flour crepes instead of crescent rolls. Replace sugar with erythritol or stevia. Serve with keto-friendly vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Pairing Suggestions for Easy Apple Dumplings

  • Sip Cinnamon Spice Tea: Complement the warm, sweet apple dumplings with a steaming cup of cinnamon-infused tea that echoes the dessert's spicy undertones and provides a cozy, comforting beverage.
  • Scoop Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Top the golden-brown dumplings with a cold, creamy scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream, creating a delightful temperature and texture contrast that enhances the dessert's richness.
  • Pair Caramel Whipped Cream: Drizzle homemade caramel-infused whipped cream over the dumplings, adding an extra layer of indulgent sweetness that perfectly complements the buttery crescent rolls and tender apple slices.
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Easy Apple Dumplings Recipe

Easy Apple Dumplings Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 20 reviews

  • Total Time: 45-55 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Warm, buttery easy apple dumplings recipe nestles mountain-fresh apples in flaky pastry, creating a comforting dessert that whispers sweet memories of homemade goodness. Cinnamon-kissed and golden-brown, these dumplings invite you to savor each delightful bite of pure, nostalgic bliss.


Ingredients

Scale

Fruits:

  • 2 large Granny Smith apples

Dough and Base:

  • 2 cans crescent dough
  • 1 can Mountain Dew (or lemon-lime soda)

Seasonings and Enhancements:

  • 2 sticks (226 grams) unsalted butter
  • 1 cup (200 grams) brown sugar, packed
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 pinch salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350F (175C) and lightly coating a 9×13-inch dish with cooking spray.
  2. Transform whole apples into eight wedges, creating 16 uniform slices for consistent wrapping.
  3. Encase each apple slice within a crescent roll, positioning the wider section first and carefully tucking edges to seal completely.
  4. Craft a rich caramel-like sauce by melting butter in a saucepan, incorporating brown sugar until smooth and glossy.
  5. Enhance the sauce with vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and a delicate salt sprinkle, then remove from heat.
  6. Generously cascade the prepared sauce across the arranged dumplings, ensuring even distribution.
  7. Gently stream lemon-lime soda around the dish’s perimeter, avoiding direct contact with the dumplings.
  8. Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes, monitoring until the pastry achieves a golden, crispy exterior and the sauce bubbles enticingly.
  9. Present the dumplings immediately, preferably accompanied by a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream and drizzled with the aromatic pan sauce.

Notes

  • Choose crisp, firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture and tartness in your dumplings.
  • Ensure crescent rolls are chilled but pliable when wrapping apples to prevent tearing and create neat parcels.
  • Adjust sweetness by reducing brown sugar if using sweeter apple varieties or prefer less intense desserts.
  • Substitute Mountain Dew with apple cider or clear sparkling water for a more natural flavor profile and reduced artificial ingredients.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30-40 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 802
  • Sugar: 64 g
  • Sodium: 491 mg
  • Fat: 44 g
  • Saturated Fat: 26 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 101 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 68 mg
Sarah Mitchell

Sarah Mitchell

Content Specialist & Home Cooking Enthusiast

Expertise

  • Making healthy, comforting meals that fit into real-life schedules
  • Planning balanced, single-serving meals for individuals and small families
  • Writing clear, practical food content with a focus on wellness and ease
  • Using seasonal ingredients to bring variety and freshness to everyday meals

Education

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College – Asheville, NC

  • Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Trained in the basics of professional cooking, with a strong focus on home-style meals, seasonal recipe development, and time-saving kitchen techniques for everyday use.

American Fitness Professionals & Associates – Online

  • Program: Nutrition and Wellness Consultant Certification
  • Focus: Studied how to make healthy eating simple, enjoyable, and accessible

Sarah’s passion for food was sparked by weekend trips to the farmers’ market and her belief that healthy meals should never feel boring.
After earning her culinary diploma and becoming a certified Nutrition and Wellness Consultant, she set out to help others fall in love with simple, wholesome cooking.
She’s all about celebrating the small wins in the kitchen: a colorful yogurt bowl, a new twist on a classic dish, or a homemade snack that feels just a little extra special.
Outside the kitchen, Sarah is a gardener at heart, a yoga enthusiast, and a believer that fresh herbs can brighten any meal, and any day.

Leave a Reply

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

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star