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 wait… There’s more! A bubbly secret ingredient makes these dumplings special, and I mean EXTRA special. You’ll be over the moon once you try it boos!
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They’re Lovin’ It! Here’s what They’re Sayin’:
“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.”
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 don’t know if it’s the fizz and all that butter, or the way the lemon-lime flavor melds with the spices, but trust me, it’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
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, y’all! If you can unwrap a crescent roll, you’ve got this!
Quick and Simple
This recipe’s a breeze, y’all! With just a few easy steps, you’ll have these dumplings ready in no time. Perfect for gettin’ the kids involved.
Budget-Friendly
You probably have most of these ingredients hangin’ around your kitchen already! I say “probably” because oftentimes I ran out of a thing or two. Crescent rolls, apples, butter, and a few pantry staples – nothing that’ll break the bank.
Versatile Treat
These dumplings aren’t just for dessert. They make a killer breakfast too! Pair ‘em with your morning coffee or tea for a cozy start to the day.
Perfect for Fall
This apple dumplings recipe is a fall favorite, boos! When apple season rolls around and you’ve got more apples than you know what to do with, these dumplings are the perfect way to use ’em up.
Ingredients To Make Apple Dumplings
- Crescent roll dough: Grab yourself some store-bought crescent roll dough to save a ton of time. I’m all about those Pillsbury crescent rolls – they’re so darn flaky and buttery. Make sure to keep ‘em in the fridge until you’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 that’ll make your dumplings stand out. It’s oaky, nutty, dry, and smoky. If whiskey’s not your thing or you don’t have any on hand, you can swap it out for rum.
- Sugars: For that sweet caramel flavor, you’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 recipe’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 – they don’t have the sugar needed for the syrup.
How to make apple dumplings
Tips And Tricks For The Best apple dumplings recipe
- Use an Apple Corer: Lemme tell y’all, an apple corer is a lifesaver! I used to wrestle with peeling and slicing apples, but since I got one, it’s been a breeze. Your apple slices will be perfect every time, and it’ll save you a TON of time.
- Chill Your Dough: Keep that crescent roll dough in the fridge until you’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 you’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.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Give your dumplings a little room to breathe in the baking dish. If they’re too close together, they’ll steam instead of bake, and you want ’em crispy and golden.
Popular Substitutions & Additions
- Extra Cinnamon Love: If you really, really love cinnamon (and who doesn’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: Don’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 y’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!
What To Serve With these easy apple dumplings
- You can’t go wrong with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of homemade whipped cream. You can also enjoy it with coffee ice cream, cookie butter ice cream, and more!
- I know I already mentioned caramel sauce, but it’s just that good! Especially with my easy, homemade vegan version.
- If you want to add some freshness, serve these dumplings with a side of strawberry sauce or a simple bowl of fresh berries.
- Pair your apple dumplings with a hot beverage for a cozy treat, like my spiced apple cider or a cup of hot chocolate.
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 they’re not touching. Place the baking sheet into the freezer for up to 2 hours or until they’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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Apple dumplings are best enjoyed warm, straight out of the oven. But hey boo, if you have leftovers, they’re still pretty darn good at room temp or reheated the next day!
I usually peel the apples to keep the texture nice and smooth, but it’s not mandatory. If you prefer a bit of extra texture or you’re short on time, you can leave the peels on. It’s all about your personal preference!
Nope, the whiskey in the recipe won’t make you tipsy. Most of the alcohol cooks off during baking, leaving behind just the rich, complex flavor.
More apple recipes
Apple Dumplings
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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
Nutrition
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This was absolutely delicious. Easy and fast. This is definitely my next takeout dish to the next gathering. Thanks J, your recipes are .
Thank you for making my recipes, Melissa!
Absolutely, hands down delicious. Super easy and fast to make. Definitely, my next takeout dish to the gathering.
Thanks so much, boo!
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?
Hi Erica! You can just leave it out, hope everyone enjoys!!
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.
Hi Mary! Yes, you can!
Can the lemon Lime soda be SUBSTITUTED or omitted?
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.
This is a fantastic cobbler make it all the time
Thank you for this recipe. They were so easy to make and delish!!
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.
wonderful, thank you, a perfect weekend dish, apple dumplings are what I’m craving and didn’t even realize it
Looks and sounds delicious.