If you have a sweet tooth and love classic comfort desserts, then you are going to adore this Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings Recipe. It’s a charmingly simple yet spectacularly delicious treat where crisp apple wedges get lovingly wrapped in buttery crescent roll dough and baked to golden perfection. The magic happens when a pool of cinnamon-spiced butter and sugar melds with lemon-lime soda to create a sticky, gorgeous syrup that soaks into every bite. Whether it’s an everyday indulgence or a dessert for a special gathering, these dumplings deliver warmth, nostalgia, and a burst of flavor that’s simply irresistible.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this recipe plays a starring role in creating that perfect balance of sweet, spice, and buttery goodness. You’ll find that these simple pantry staples come together effortlessly but with truly mouthwatering results.
- Granny Smith apples: Their tartness cuts through the sweetness, adding a refreshing bite that’s crucial for balance.
- Refrigerated crescent roll dough: Provides a soft, flaky crust that crisps beautifully around the apples.
- Unsalted butter: Melts into the sauce, delivering rich, creamy depth.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the syrup and caramelizes slightly as it bakes for that addictive finish.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds warm, comforting spice that complements the apples perfectly.
- Ground nutmeg (optional): Offers a subtle hint of earthiness enhancing the spiced profile.
- Vanilla extract: Boosts aroma and rounds out the sweetness with a gentle floral note.
- Lemon-lime soda: Creates a light effervescence in the syrup, giving it a unique citrusy sparkle.
- Pinch of salt: Balances all the flavors, making each bite pop.
- Additional cinnamon sugar (optional): Sprinkled atop for an extra touch of crunch and spice when serving.
How to Make Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Dish
Start by heating your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish generously to ensure that those dumplings don’t stick and your syrup pools perfectly for soaking up all that buttery sweetness.
Step 2: Prepare the Apples
Peel, core, and slice your Granny Smith apples into 8 wedges each—this size is ideal for wrapping. Pat them dry carefully; removing excess moisture helps the crescent dough get nice and flaky instead of soggy.
Step 3: Wrap Each Apple Wedge
Unroll your crescent dough and wrap each apple wedge starting from the wide end of the triangle, rolling tightly to seal in those juicy apple slices. This step is so satisfying—watching those little packages of sunshine come together.
Step 4: Arrange Dumplings in the Dish
Place your wrapped dumplings seam-side down in the greased baking dish. This helps keep them sealed during baking so the luscious filling stays locked inside the flaky crust.
Step 5: Make the Cinnamon Butter Sauce
Melt the butter in a saucepan, then stir in sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and vanilla extract until everything is beautifully combined. This sauce is the soul of your Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings Recipe, so savor the aroma as it thickens.
Step 6: Pour Sauce Over Dumplings
Evenly drizzle the cinnamon butter sauce over the dumplings, making sure each piece gets bathed in that rich, sweet mixture for maximum flavor infusion.
Step 7: Add Lemon-Lime Soda Around Dumplings
Pour the soda carefully around the dumplings, not directly on top, so it can bubble up and create a sticky, fragrant syrup while baking. This is where a touch of magic happens, giving your dumplings an unexpected lightness and fizz.
Step 8: Bake Until Golden and Bubbling
Pop your dish into the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the dumplings look golden brown and the sauce is bubbling enticingly around them. The kitchen will smell absolutely irresistible at this point!
Step 9: Cool Slightly Before Serving
Let your dumplings cool for about 10 minutes in the pan. This brief wait lets the syrup thicken a bit so it clings perfectly to each bite instead of running off.
Step 10: Serve Warm and Decadent
Dish out your warm crescent roll apple dumplings and drizzle any remaining syrup from the pan over the top. For a truly dreamy dessert, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
How to Serve Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings Recipe
Garnishes
A light dusting of cinnamon sugar on top right out of the oven adds lovely sparkle and crunch, while a sprinkle of chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts lends an extra textural contrast. Fresh mint leaves can also add a pretty pop of color.
Side Dishes
These apple dumplings make a perfect companion for simple sides like vanilla bean ice cream or rich whipped cream to mellow the spiced sweetness. For an extra cozy touch, a warm caramel sauce drizzle elevates this classic to another level.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving individual dumplings in glass ramekins with a scoop of ice cream nestled beside them. Alternatively, plate several dumplings with a swirl of homemade caramel or a drizzle of heavy cream reduction for an elegant dessert display that will wow your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself lucky enough to have leftovers, cover them tightly with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors will deepen, making for a delicious second-round treat.
Freezing
You can freeze unbaked wrapped apple wedges placed on a parchment-lined baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag once firm. Bake from frozen by adding extra time, allowing you to enjoy this Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings Recipe anytime.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in a 350°F oven for 10–15 minutes to restore that golden crust and warm, bubbling syrup. Avoid microwaving if possible to keep the dough flaky instead of soggy.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of apple?
Absolutely! Granny Smith apples provide tartness which balances the sweetness, but you can experiment with Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Gala for a sweeter version. Just be mindful that softer apples may break down more during baking.
Why do I pour the soda around, not on top of the dumplings?
Pouring around the dumplings allows the soda to bubble up beneath and between them, creating a beautiful syrup that saturates the bottom and edges, rather than washing off the tops of the wrappers.
Can I substitute crescent roll dough with puff pastry?
Yes! Puff pastry will give a flakier, more buttery crust, but crescent roll dough is easier and more convenient, plus it creates a nice soft, fluffy texture that’s perfect for this recipe.
What’s the best way to serve these—warm or room temperature?
They are best enjoyed warm when the syrup is still gooey and the crust is soft on the inside with a slight crisp outside. Warm servings also pair wonderfully with cold ice cream or whipped cream.
Can I make this recipe vegan-friendly?
To veganize this dessert, use vegan crescent roll dough and substitute butter with plant-based margarine or coconut oil. You’ll also want to replace the soda with a vegan-friendly lemon-lime soda. The flavor will still be deliciously satisfying!
Final Thoughts
This Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings Recipe is truly one of those desserts that feels like a warm hug on a plate. The simplicity of ingredients paired with the lovely combination of spice, sweet, and crisp apples wrapped in flaky dough makes it a standout treat for any occasion. I highly encourage you to try making it yourself—you’ll find it fast, fun, and utterly rewarding to serve up this comforting classic to your family and friends.
Print
Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 16 dumplings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings are a delightful dessert featuring tender apple wedges wrapped in flaky crescent roll dough, baked to golden perfection, and drenched in a buttery, cinnamon-sugar syrup enhanced with a splash of lemon-lime soda. Easy to prepare, this comforting treat is perfect for gatherings or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
Apple Dumplings
- 2 large Granny Smith apples (peeled, cored, sliced into 8 wedges each)
- 2 (8-ounce) cans refrigerated crescent roll dough
Syrup and Topping
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup lemon-lime soda (such as Sprite or 7UP)
- Pinch of salt
- Optional: additional cinnamon sugar for sprinkling on top
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Apples: Peel, core, and slice each apple into 8 wedges, then pat the wedges dry with a paper towel to help the dough adhere better.
- Wrap Apples with Dough: Unroll the crescent dough and carefully wrap each apple wedge starting from the wide end, sealing the dough tightly around the apple to prevent leakage during baking.
- Arrange Dumplings: Place each wrapped apple dumpling seam-side down in the prepared baking dish, spacing them evenly.
- Make Syrup: In a saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Stir in the granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg (if using), a pinch of salt, and vanilla extract until the mixture is well blended and smooth.
- Pour Syrup Over Dumplings: Carefully pour the butter-sugar mixture evenly over the arranged dumplings, ensuring each gets coated.
- Add Lemon-Lime Soda: Pour the lemon-lime soda around the dumplings in the baking dish—not directly on top—to create a syrup that will bubble and caramelize during baking.
- Bake: Bake the dumplings in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes until they turn golden brown and the syrup is bubbly and thickened.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the dish from the oven and allow the dumplings to cool for about 10 minutes to let the syrup thicken further.
- Serve: Serve the apple dumplings warm, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of the pan syrup for an extra indulgent treat.
Notes
- Use Granny Smith apples for a tart contrast, but feel free to substitute with other firm apple varieties like Honeycrisp or Fuji.
- If you prefer a less sweet dessert, reduce the sugar by 1/4 cup.
- Adding nutmeg is optional, but it adds warm depth to the flavor profile.
- For extra crunch, sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top of the dumplings before baking.
- Make sure to seal the crescent dough tightly around the apples to prevent syrup leakage during baking.
- This dessert is best enjoyed warm but can be reheated gently before serving.
