To make easy Apple Dumplings roll apples in buttery crescent rolls, smother, and bake in a sauce made from butter, sugar, cinnamon and citrus-flavored soda.
Using store-bought crescent dough might be my new favorite way to make quick and easy desserts! It’s probably why they sell out quickly at my grocery store around this time of year. So many other smart people have the same idea! Even though I’m late to the party, it’s truly a game changer.
Last year, I discovered a recipe using crescent roll dough to make apple dumplings. Let’s just say, I made crescent roll apple dumplings 3 TIMES during the last holiday season. That’s seems like a lot when there are so many desserts I want to try. Even better, my family and friends loved these apple dumplings too! After I took the blog photos, my brother was all too happy to take these home with him.
Preparation is so simple, and once they bake, the tops are crusty, the bottoms are gooey, and inside, the apples are the perfect texture. To make them even better serve them with ice cream or whipped cream topping. It’s like eating your own personal apple pie.
Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings Ingredients
By definition, an apple dumpling is a baked pastry-wrapped apple. To prepare apple dumplings, peel and core apples. Then, either leave the apples whole or cut them into smaller pieces and place on a portion of dough and bake.
For this recipe, we’ll be cutting the apples into eighths and wrapping each apple in crescent roll dough. Then, we’ll be topping them with a buttery, cinnamon-sugar mixture, and citrus soda. Finally, they will be baked to perfection.
Which Apples Should I Use?
For this recipe, I use Granny Smith apples. They are slightly tart and sweet. More importantly, they do not become mushy or mealy as they bake. Basically, they are the perfect all-purpose baking apple.
If you don’t have access to Granny Smith apples, other good alternatives would be Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Jonagold.
Picking the Crescent Roll Dough
For this recipe, using reduced fat, buttery, grands, or regular canned crescent rolls all work well. So, use whatever variety you like best! Or if you are feeling really ambitious, homemade crescent rolls would make this recipe even better!
The Secret Ingredient: Citrus-Flavored Soda
Originally, I stumbled on this recipe because I was looking for a dessert using Mountain Dew. At first I was skeptical about using it in these apple dumplings, but it is so good!
I think the reason is because the citrus flavors pair really well with apples and cinnamon. As a result, the lemon notes brighten up the dish. Plus, the carbonation in the soda helps with browning, and it provides even more sauce.
Similarly, you can also use other citrus-flavored soda like 7Up or Sprite. Although, Mountain Dew is my favorite.
Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings Preparation Tips
You can easily double this recipe for a crowd. For my sake, I only make 8 apple dumplings at a time. There’s much less temptation that way. If making the recipe as is, I recommend using a 8″ x 8″ baking dish. Or if you want to double the recipe, use a 9″ x 13″ baking dish.
If you are making this for a holiday dessert, they can be prepared in advance. Keep the prepared apple dumplings in the fridge covered with plastic wrap. Then, you can take the unbaked crescent roll apple dumplings to your gathering. As you are eating dinner, throw it in the oven to bake.
Dumplings may also be served and stored at room temperature, but they are really best served right out of the oven. For that reason, I recommend only making as many dumplings as you will eat in one setting.
Want More Easy Dessert Ideas Like These Dumplings?
If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you know I love easy desserts. After dinner, the last thing I want to do is to spend hours making complicated desserts. If you’re like me, you should definitely cheese out these other easy desserts:
- Pumpkin Cream Cheese Dumplings (Only 8 ingredients and uses crescent dough!)
- Apple Air Fryer Turnovers (Only 3 main ingredients and uses puff pastry!)
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Mousse (Only 7 ingredients and no baking required!)
- Cherry Cheesecake Dump Cake (Only 4 ingredients and one pan!)
If you still want more ideas, check out my full collection of desserts by clicking here.
For a savory idea using canned crescent rolls, you should check out my favorite food of all time, Cheesy Chicken Crescent Roll Bake (a.k.a. Chicken Harris).
Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings
Ingredients
- 1 large Granny Smith Apple
- 8 count Crescent Roll Dough Original, Butter, or Reduced Fat
- 1/3 cup Butter Melted
- 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
- 6 oz Citrus Flavored Soda (7 Up, Sprite, Mountain Dew)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, and coat an 8″ x 8″, oven-safe, baking dish with cooking spray.
- Peel and core the apple, and cut into 8 equal wedges.
- Open crescent rolls, and place one apple wedge on the widest edge of one crescent triangle. Roll the crescent roll to the opposite point tucking in the edges. Add roll to the prepared pan. Repeat with remaining crescent rolls and apple wedges.
- Add melted butter, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon to a small mixing bowl, and mix until just combined. Pour evenly over the top of the apples.
- Pour the soda along the edges and down the middle of the pan.
- Bake until golden brown and crispy on top, about 40 minutes.
- Serve warm with juices from the pan. If desired, top with ice cream or whipped topping. Enjoy!
