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Country Apple Dumplings

Country apple dumplings bake tender apple wedges wrapped in flaky crescent roll dough, then simmer in a sweet butter-soda sauce until golden and bubbling. Cinnamon and vanilla flavor the gooey dessert with crisp edges and a soft, spiced center.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Dumplings
  • 2 Granny Smith apples Use peeled wedges.
  • 2 can (8 oz) refrigerated crescent roll dough Use crescent triangles.
For the Sauce
  • 1 cup unsalted butter Use for the butter-sugar base.
  • 1.5 cup granulated sugar Sweetens the sauce.
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon For warm spice.
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract Adds aroma to the sauce.
  • 12 oz Mountain Dew Or substitute lemon-lime soda.

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan
  • 1 Dutch oven

Method
 

Prep and assemble
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F, then grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. Peel and cut Granny Smith apples into 8 wedges each, so you have even pieces for wrapping.
  3. Wrap each apple wedge in a crescent roll triangle, starting at the wide end and rolling to the tip, then pinch to seal.
  4. Arrange the wrapped apple wedges in the prepared 9x13-inch baking dish in a single layer.
Make the butter-soda sauce
  1. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter.
  2. Whisk in the granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract until combined and smooth.
  3. Pour the butter mixture evenly over the dumplings so the tops are coated.
  4. Slowly pour the Mountain Dew (lemon-lime soda) around the edges of the dish (do not stir) to prevent dough from lifting.
Bake and serve
  1. Bake for 35–40 minutes at 350°F, until the dumplings are golden brown and the sauce is bubbling at the edges.
  2. Let cool for 10 minutes, then serve warm and spoon extra sauce over the top, so the centers stay gooey.

Notes

Pro tip: Seal the crescent edges firmly and pour the soda only around the dish edges—stirring can cause the dough to drift and soften. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and rewarm in the oven or microwave. Freezing is not recommended because the crescent dough texture can turn gummy. For a lighter option, you can use reduced-fat butter and swap in a sugar substitute for baking (sauce flavor may be slightly less rich).