Apple Dumplings

Y’all, these Apple Dumplings are about to change your life. And I mean it! Long story short, they are flaky crescent rolls wrapped around tender apple slices, all drenched in a buttery, fall spiced syrup with a splash of whiskey. But waitโ€ฆ There’s more! A bubbly secret ingredient makes these dumplings special, and I mean EXTRA special. Youโ€™ll be over the moon once you try it boos!

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

overhead of apple dumplings in a pan being served on small white plates with ice cream

Want to Save This Recipe, Boo?

I'll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!

Five star review

โ€œIt was ridiculously easy to get into the oven, and have the most delicious dessert everโ€ฆ.you would never guess this was a packaged crescent roll dough.โ€

โ€”JEFF W.

Alright boos, here’s the scoop on what makes these easy apple dumplings truly BOMB. The secret ingredient? Lemon-lime soda! Yep, you heard right! You pour that fizzy goodness around the dumplings before baking, and it turns into this incredible sauce that soaks right into the dough. I donโ€™t know if itโ€™s the fizz and all that butter, or the way the lemon-lime flavor melds with the spices, but trust me, itโ€™s the secret sauce that takes these dumplings to the next level. These babies are one of the first things I whip up when apple season hits (besides a classic apple pie, of course), but honestly, you can enjoy this treat all year round.

The Lowdown of This Apple Dumplings Recipe

Closeup of Jocelyn in pink dress smiling

Cuisine Inspiration: Southern Comfort

Primary Cooking Method: Baking

Dietary Info: Sweet Indulgence (definitely not low-calorie, but oh-so-worth-it!)

Key Flavor: Warm, spiced apple goodness

Skill Level: Easy-peasy, yโ€™all! If you can unwrap a crescent roll, youโ€™ve got this!

This recipeโ€™s a breeze, yโ€™all! With just a few easy steps, youโ€™ll have these dumplings ready in no time. Perfect for gettinโ€™ the kids involved.

You probably have most of these ingredients hanginโ€™ around your kitchen already! I say โ€œprobablyโ€ because oftentimes I ran out of a thing or two. Crescent rolls, apples, butter, and a few pantry staples โ€“ nothing thatโ€™ll break the bank.

These dumplings arenโ€™t just for dessert. They make a killer breakfast too! Pair โ€˜em with your morning coffee or tea for a cozy start to the day.

This apple dumplings recipe is a fall favorite, boos! When apple season rolls around and youโ€™ve got more apples than you know what to do with, these dumplings are the perfect way to use โ€™em up.

apple dumpling on a white plate topped with ice cream and caramel being drizzled on top

Ingredients To Make Apple Dumplings

An ingredient shot over a marbled countertop with apples in a bowl along with crescent roll dough, whisky, brown sugar, butter and other ingredients
  • Crescent roll dough: Grab yourself some store-bought crescent roll dough to save a ton of time. Iโ€™m all about those Pillsbury crescent rolls โ€“ theyโ€™re so darn flaky and buttery. Make sure to keep โ€˜em in the fridge until youโ€™re ready to use.
  • Apples, peeled and cored: You only need two apples for this recipe, so pick your favorites! Granny Smith or Golden Delicious are perfect for baking.
  • Unsalted Melted Butter: Adds a rich flavor to the syrup and makes everything taste better.
  • Whiskey: Whiskey brings a depth of flavor thatโ€™ll make your dumplings stand out. Itโ€™s oaky, nutty, dry, and smoky. If whiskeyโ€™s not your thing or you donโ€™t have any on hand, you can swap it out for rum.
  • Sugars: For that sweet caramel flavor, youโ€™ll need both white granulated sugar and dark brown sugar. They help create that perfect balance of sweetness.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, sweet undertone that enhances the overall flavor.
  • Spices: Ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg bring those cozy fall flavors forward. They truly are the heart of this recipeโ€™s spice mix.
  • Pinch of Salt: Just a pinch to balance out the sweetness of your apple dumplings and enhance all the other flavors.
  • Lemon Lime Soda: Sprite or Mountain Dew work great here. Just steer clear of diet versions โ€“ they donโ€™t have the sugar needed for the syrup.

How to make apple dumplings

Apple slices and crescent triangles on a wood cutting board on white background
1
Unwrap the crescent roll dough and separate it into the set triangles. Place an apple slice in the center of each triangle then roll up the croissant around it.
Dumplings filled with apple slices in a baking dish on a gray background
2
Place each apple dumpling into the baking dish.
Syrup ingredients mixed in a bowl with a whisk
3
Whisk together butter, whiskey, both sugars, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt in a bowl until combined.
Brown sugar syrup poured over apple dumpling recipe before baking
4
Pour the syrup over the dumplings.
Lemon lime soda being pour over apple dumplings before being baked
5
Next, pour soda around the rolls.
Baked apple dumpling recipe in a pan on a white background with two red apples
6
Bake at 350F for 40 minutes or until they turn perfectly golden brown!

Tips And Tricks For The Best apple dumplings recipe

  • Use an Apple Corer: Lemme tell yโ€™all, an apple corer is a lifesaver! I used to wrestle with peeling and slicing apples, but since I got one, itโ€™s been a breeze. Your apple slices will be perfect every time, and itโ€™ll save you a TON of time.
  • Chill Your Dough: Keep that crescent roll dough in the fridge until youโ€™re ready to use it. Cold dough is way easier to handle and bakes up flaky and delicious.
  • Pour the Soda Around, Not Over: When youโ€™re adding that Mountain Dew, make sure to pour it around the apple dumplings, not right on top. That’s how you get the perfect syrup without making the dough all soggy.
  • Donโ€™t Overcrowd the Pan: Give your dumplings a little room to breathe in the baking dish. If theyโ€™re too close together, theyโ€™ll steam instead of bake, and you want ’em crispy and golden.
  • Extra Cinnamon Love: If you really, really love cinnamon (and who doesnโ€™t?), coat your apple slices in a mix of cinnamon and sugar before wrapping them in the dough. Thank me later!
  • Pie Crust Dough Swap: Donโ€™t have crescent roll dough on hand fro your apple dumplings? No worries, boos! You can use pie crust dough instead. Just cut it into triangles, wrap those apple slices, and bake as usual.
  • Caramel Drizzle: For an extra indulgent treat, drizzle some caramel sauce over the top of the dumplings right before serving. It may be too sweet for some, but it does the trick when my sweetest tooth is callin’.
  • Cheese Please: Now, this might sound like an odd addition, but yโ€™all… Try adding a small slice of sharp cheddar cheese on top of each apple slice before wrapping it in the dough. The savory and salty mixed with the sweetness? Too good to miss!
apple dumplings baked in a pan with ice cream on top being topped with a drizzle of caramel

What To Serve With these easy apple dumplings

How To Store crescent roll apple dumplings

  • Fridge: At the chance you have leftovers (hard to believe, but it can happen), storing apple dumplings is pretty easy. They can be left covered and at room temp for up to 2 days, or refrigerated in an airtight container for 4-5 days.
  • Freezing: Frozen apple dumplings will keep for up to 2 months. To freeze them place the dumplings on a large baking sheet so theyโ€™re not touching. Place the baking sheet into the freezer for up to 2 hours or until theyโ€™ve become solid. Once solid you can store the apple dumplings together in an airtight container or freezer bag.
  • Reheating: To slightly warm a leftover apple dumpling, heat in the microwave on a plate for 15-20 seconds. To reheat an apple dumpling from frozen, remove it from the freezer and let thaw in the refrigerator or defrost in the microwave for roughly 5 minutes, then heat for 15-20 seconds.
apple dumplings in a pan with ice cream and a spoon for serving

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you eat apple dumplings warm or cold?

Apple dumplings are best enjoyed warm, straight out of the oven. But hey boo, if you have leftovers, theyโ€™re still pretty darn good at room temp or reheated the next day!

Do you have to peel apples for apple dumplings?

I usually peel the apples to keep the texture nice and smooth, but itโ€™s not mandatory. If you prefer a bit of extra texture or youโ€™re short on time, you can leave the peels on. Itโ€™s all about your personal preference!

Will the whiskey make me tipsy?

Nope, the whiskey in the recipe wonโ€™t make you tipsy. Most of the alcohol cooks off during baking, leaving behind just the rich, complex flavor.

More apple recipes

apple dumpling on a plate with caramel dizzle

Apple Dumplings

In these Apple Dumplings, Tender and warm apples on the inside, baked in a deliciously fall spiced syrup and poached in a lemon-lime soda.
5 from 6 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course: Dessert
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 cans Crescent roll dough refrigerated
  • 2 large Apples peeled, cored and in 8 slices
  • 1 cup Butter unsalted and melted
  • 2 tablespoons Whiskey
  • 3/4 cup Granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup Dark brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
  • pinch of Salt
  • 12 ounces Lemon Lime Soda

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and thoroughly grease a 9×13 sized baking dish.
  • Unwrap crescent roll dough and separate into the set triangles.
  • Place an apple slice in the center of each triangle then roll up the croissant around it. Place each apple dumpling into the baking dish.
  • In a bowl, whisk together butter, whiskey, both sugars, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and pinch of salt until combined then pour over the dumplings.
  • Next pour soda around the rolls then bake for 40-45 minutes or until they turn perfectly golden brown.
  • Serve warm with ice cream if desired.

Notes

Use an Apple Corer: Lemme tell yโ€™all, an apple corer is a lifesaver! I used to wrestle with peeling and slicing apples, but since I got one, itโ€™s been a breeze. Your apple slices will be perfect every time, and itโ€™ll save you a TON of time.
Chill Your Dough: Keep that crescent roll dough in the fridge until youโ€™re ready to use it. Cold dough is way easier to handle and bakes up flaky and delicious.
Pour the Soda Around, Not Over: When youโ€™re adding that Mountain Dew, make sure to pour it around the apple dumplings, not right on top. That’s how you get the perfect syrup without making the dough all soggy.
Donโ€™t Overcrowd the Pan: Give your dumplings a little room to breathe in the baking dish. If theyโ€™re too close together, theyโ€™ll steam instead of bake, and you want ’em crispy and golden.

Nutrition

Serving: 1dumpling | Calories: 613kcal | Carbohydrates: 74g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 637mg | Potassium: 98mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 55g | Vitamin A: 740IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @GrandbabyCakes or tag #grandbabycakes!

 

Filed Under:  Crisps, Cobblers, Dumplings and Tarts, Dessert and Baking, Fall Recipes, Oven, Seasonal Recipes

Comments

  1. This was absolutely delicious. Easy and fast. This is definitely my next takeout dish to the next gathering. Thanks J, your recipes are .

  2. Thank you so much for this delicious sounding REcipe. If I’m preparing this for people who don’t like alcohol, what do you suggest that I substitute for the whiskey?

  3. I CANNOT wait to try this!! Can you put more than one apple slice in each crescent? It seems like one slice wouldn’t give you enough filling.

    1. You can substitute with another carbonated drink but don’t omit or they won’t bake up the same and will end up very dry.

  4. Dearest Jocelyn, Cannot thank you enough for sharing this easy recipe to get into the oven. Clearly that is not the reason to write. This was just fantastic to eat, and THAT is the reason for writing. I assembled the dumplings early in the day, keeping in the fridge. I also made the caramel topping in advance, keeping at room temperature. It was ridiculously easy to get into the oven, and have the most delicious dessert ever….you would never guess this was a packaged crescent roll dough. Thank you, from Sherman Oaks, California.

  5. wonderful, thank you, a perfect weekend dish, apple dumplings are what I’m craving and didn’t even realize it

5 from 6 votes

Leave a Reply

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

Recipe Rating