Description
Enjoy these warm, flaky apple dumplings made with tender apples wrapped in buttery crescent dough, coated in cinnamon sugar, and baked in a sweet lemon-lime soda sauce. This comforting dessert is perfect for cozy evenings and is elevated by serving with creamy vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients
Fruit
- 2 large apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled and cored
Dough and Coating
- 1 can crescent roll dough or puff pastry sheets
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar, divided
- 0.5 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
- 1 pinch salt
Sauce and Finishing
- 0.5 cup butter, melted
- 0.75 cup lemon-lime soda (Sprite or Mountain Dew)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- Vanilla ice cream for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Apples: Peel and core the apples using an apple peeler or paring knife, then cut each apple into wedges suitable for wrapping.
- Coat the Apple Pieces: In a mixing bowl, combine half of the granulated sugar and half of the ground cinnamon. Toss the apple wedges in this mixture to coat them evenly, enhancing their flavor with cinnamon sugar.
- Assemble the Dumplings: Unroll the crescent roll dough or puff pastry onto a clean surface and separate into individual triangles. Place one coated apple wedge on each dough triangle and carefully fold the edges over to seal the dumplings completely. Arrange the sealed dumplings in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spacing them evenly.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a separate bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, the remaining ground cinnamon, and optionally vanilla extract. Mix well until the brown sugar is partially dissolved.
- Add Sauce and Soda: Pour the butter-brown sugar-cinnamon mixture evenly over the arranged dumplings. Then gently pour the lemon-lime soda around the edges of the baking dish—not directly on the dumplings—to create the sweet soda sauce as the dumplings bake.
- Bake the Dumplings: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the dumplings for 35 to 40 minutes, or until they are golden brown and the soda sauce is bubbly and thickened.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the apple dumplings to cool for 5 to 10 minutes after baking. Serve warm alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the perfect comforting dessert experience.
Notes
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream to balance the warm spices and soda sauce.
- This dessert is ideal for fall or any cozy evening treat.
- If you prefer a slightly tart flavor, Granny Smith apples are best; for sweeter apples, use Honeycrisp.
- Be careful when sealing the dough to prevent the sauce from leaking during baking.
- Optional vanilla extract can enhance the sauce’s aroma but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 to 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
