If you’re craving comfort in dessert form, few things satisfy like Easy Apple Dumplings. Picture warm, tart apple slices snuggled in buttery crescent dough and baked until beautifully golden in a bubbling cinnamon syrup—each bite serving up nostalgia and a hint of magic. Whether you’re making these for a family gathering, potluck, or simply to brighten up a weeknight, this recipe brings utterly delightful flavors and cozy aroma with minimal effort.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the reasons I love these Easy Apple Dumplings so much is just how approachable the ingredients are. Every element does its part, from bright apple flavor to that unmistakable buttery crust—each bite is as rewarding as the process is simple.
- Granny Smith apples: Their tartness stands up beautifully to sweet syrup and keeps every dumpling from being cloying.
- Refrigerated crescent roll dough: The ultimate shortcut for soft, flaky dumplings without fussing over homemade pastry!
- Unsalted butter: Melting into the sauce, this adds richness and helps create that luscious, caramel-like finish.
- Granulated sugar: It sweetens and thickens the sauce while providing that irresistible caramel drip.
- Vanilla extract: Just a splash, but it brings aromatic warmth and depth to every bite.
- Ground cinnamon: Because what’s apple dessert without cinnamon? It brings a gentle, spicy glow to the dumplings.
- Lemon-lime soda: This sounds quirky but delivers! It creates a bubbly, tangy sauce and helps the dough rise golden and light.
- Pinch of salt: Don’t forget this—just a sprinkle sharpens every flavor in the pan.
How to Make Easy Apple Dumplings
Step 1: Prep the Apples and Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), then grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with a little butter or nonstick spray. Peel your Granny Smith apples and slice them into 8 even wedges each—this ensures every dumpling ends up tender and juicy, perfectly portioned for wrapping in dough.
Step 2: Wrap the Apples
Unroll your crescent dough and gently separate it into triangles (you’ll be amazed how well these work for wrapping!). Place an apple wedge on the wider end of a dough triangle, then roll it snugly toward the tip so the apple is completely tucked inside. Place each wrapped apple, seam-side down, into your prepared dish, leaving a little space between them.
Step 3: Make the Buttery Cinnamon Sauce
Time for the magic sauce! In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and just a pinch of salt. Don’t let it come to a boil—you want everything melded without turning into caramel. Once combined, pour this glorious mixture evenly over the dumplings, letting it seep into the cracks and crevices.
Step 4: Add the Lemon-Lime Soda
This is the Easy Apple Dumplings secret weapon: pour your lemon-lime soda all around the perimeter of the pan, trying not to pour it directly over the dumplings. The soda helps puff up the pastry and forms that signature syrup at the bottom—trust me, it’s absolutely wonderful!
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake the dumplings for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the tops are beautifully golden and you can see the sauce bubbling away at the edges. Let them cool for a few minutes; the syrup thickens a little as the dumplings rest, and the aroma alone is enough to gather the whole household around the oven.
How to Serve Easy Apple Dumplings
Garnishes
If you ask me, a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting over a warm dumpling is pure dessert heaven. A light dusting of powdered sugar or an extra sprinkle of cinnamon adds a lovely touch if you want extra flair. For fall festivities, toss on a few toasted pecans or a drizzle of caramel sauce to make things even more special!
Side Dishes
Easy Apple Dumplings are undeniably the star of the dessert hour, but they pair beautifully with lighter sides for balance. Try serving them alongside a crisp green salad (for brunch), or a simple fruit plate if you want to keep things fresh. And if you’re really leaning into the cozy vibes, a mug of hot apple cider or cinnamon tea takes everything over the top.
Creative Ways to Present
Hosting a dinner party? Nestle individual dumplings into ramekins for a personalized touch. For a rustic family-style vibe, serve straight from the baking dish with a big serving spoon for everyone to dive in. Or create a build-your-own dumpling bar—set out bowls of toppings like whipped cream, nuts, and sauces for guests to customize their own Easy Apple Dumplings just the way they like.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Easy Apple Dumplings (if you’re lucky enough to have any!) store beautifully. Simply cover the baking dish tightly with foil or transfer dumplings to an airtight container. They’ll keep for up to 3 days in the refrigerator while still holding on to much of their moist, tender texture.
Freezing
To freeze, let the dumplings cool completely after baking. Wrap each one individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe zip-top bag or container. Label and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating so they retain their texture.
Reheating
For best results, reheat Easy Apple Dumplings in the oven at 325°F until warmed through (about 10–15 minutes). This refreshes the flaky crust and keeps the syrup gooey. They can also be reheated in the microwave, though the crust will be a bit softer. Either way, don’t forget a scoop of vanilla ice cream to finish!
FAQs
Can I use a different type Dessert
Absolutely! While Granny Smith apples are traditional for their tartness and ability to hold their shape, you can substitute with Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Fuji apples if you prefer a sweeter finish. Just aim for a firm apple so the wedges don’t turn to mush during baking.
Why do you pour soda around the edges and not over the dumplings?
Popping the soda around the edges lets the crescent dough stay crisp and golden on top while bathing in syrupy goodness underneath. If you pour directly over, the tops may get soggy. This simple trick makes all the difference in texture for Easy Apple Dumplings!
Can I make these Easy Apple Dumplings ahead of time?
You can assemble the wrapped apples and even mix the sauce ahead, but wait to pour the soda and bake until right before serving. This keeps the dough fresh and the texture perfect. If you need to prep more in advance, simply reheat before serving as described above.
What’s the best way to cut apples evenly for this recipe?
Peeled apples cut into 8 wedges each will fit perfectly inside the crescent triangles. Slice your apple in half, then quarters, then each quarter in half again—a sharp paring knife will make quick work of it. Keeping the pieces similar in size ensures even baking for every dumpling.
Can I reduce the sugar for a less sweet version?
Definitely! If you’d like a lighter, less sweet dessert, you can reduce the sugar to as little as 3/4 cup. The apples and soda bring enough sweetness that you’ll still get that dreamy flavor without feeling overwhelmed.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so reassuring about settling down with warm Easy Apple Dumplings fresh from the oven. With their golden crust, bubbling cinnamon syrup, and soft-baked apples, they never fail to bring a smile—making them just the right mix of simple and special. If you haven’t yet welcomed this recipe into your kitchen, now’s the time: whip up a batch and watch them disappear, bite by delicious bite!
Print
Easy Apple Dumplings Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These easy apple dumplings are a delicious and comforting dessert perfect for fall. Juicy apple wedges are wrapped in crescent roll dough, baked to golden perfection, and served with a sweet, buttery sauce. This simple recipe is sure to become a family favorite!
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and cut into 8 wedges each
- 2 (8-ounce) cans refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 (12-ounce) can lemon-lime soda (such as Sprite or 7UP)
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare baking dish: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Wrap apple wedges: Unroll crescent dough and wrap each apple wedge in a crescent dough triangle.
- Make the sauce: In a saucepan, melt butter, add sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt. Stir until combined.
- Assemble and bake: Place wrapped apples in the dish, pour the butter mixture over them, and add soda around the edges. Bake for 35-40 minutes.
- Serve: Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream for a decadent touch.
- For a less sweet version, reduce the sugar to 3/4 cup.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 dumpling
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 29g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
