Get ready to swoon over Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings: a blissfully easy and irresistible dessert that wraps crisp apple slices in soft, golden crescent dough, then bathes them in buttery cinnamon syrup. This recipe is pure magic for busy weeknights or cozy gatherings, delivering a melt-in-your-mouth treat with minimal fuss. Each bite has a touch of nostalgia, a dash of comfort, and a flood of sweet, juicy flavor. Whether you’re serving guests or just indulging a craving, Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings belong among your most treasured baking secrets.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of simple ingredients for these dumplings, but don’t be fooled—they each play an important role in achieving that perfect balance of flavor and texture. Trust me, you’ll love how each component contributes: from the flaky dough to the bubbling buttery sauce.
- Crescent roll dough: The real shortcut here; it bakes up golden and buttery, creating the perfect enclosure for those juicy apples.
- Apples: Pick firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best contrast against the sweet sauce and soft dough.
- Butter: Melted butter forms the base of the decadent syrup—don’t even think about skimping!
- Sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens and caramelizes, creating that crave-worthy, crackly edge.
- Cinnamon: A teaspoon brings irresistible warmth and spice, tying together the classic apple-pie flavor.
- Lemon-lime soda: A little unconventional, but the fizz helps create the syrupy sauce and keeps the dumplings tender.
How to Make Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings
Step 1: Prep Your Apples and Dough
Start by peeling and slicing your apples into wedges—aim for about 8 slices per apple, sized to fit perfectly inside the crescent roll triangles. Pop open the cans of crescent roll dough and separate into triangles. Your kitchen will already start to smell amazing!
Step 2: Wrap the Dumplings
Take a single apple slice and place it at the wide end of a crescent triangle, then gently roll it up, tucking in the ends a bit as you go. Place each wrapped apple, seam side down, into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Repeat until all your apple slices are cozily tucked into their doughy blankets.
Step 3: Make the Buttery Cinnamon Sauce
In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, sugar, and cinnamon. Stir until everything is well blended—this mixture is about to make your house smell like a bakery! Pour the buttery concoction evenly over the wrapped dumplings.
Step 4: Add the Soda
Carefully pour the lemon-lime soda around the dumplings, aiming for the edges of the pan. It might seem odd, but this step is key for that pillowy-soft texture and bubbling, caramel-like sauce that forms as it bakes.
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Slide the dish into a preheated 350°F oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings are deeply golden and the sauce is thick and syrupy around the edges. Let them cool just slightly to allow the sauce to set, then serve warm for the ultimate treat.
How to Serve Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings
Garnishes
The classic move is a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream just as the Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings come out of the oven—watch it melt into the syrup for pure magic. Alternatively, a cloud of whipped cream, a sprinkle of extra cinnamon, or even a drizzle of caramel sauce takes things over the top.
Side Dishes
These dumplings love company! Serve with a fresh fruit salad for a brighter, lighter contrast, or with salted nuts to add a pleasing crunch. If you’re feeling fancy, a dollop of Greek yogurt adds a tangy note that balances the sweetness beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a showstopping dessert, arrange the dumplings on a platter, drizzle extra sauce on top, and sprinkle with chopped toasted pecans. Or, make individual portions in ramekins for special occasions. Pop a mini flag or cinnamon stick in each for whimsical, party-ready presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have any Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings left (as if!), simply cover the baking dish tightly or transfer dumplings to an airtight container. Store them in the refrigerator, where they’ll keep well for up to three days, retaining their rich apple flavor and syrupy goodness.
Freezing
Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings freeze surprisingly well! Let the baked dumplings cool completely, then wrap individual portions in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to two months—just defrost in the fridge overnight when a craving strikes.
Reheating
To bring back that just-baked warmth, reheat dumplings in a 350°F oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. You can also microwave single servings for 30–45 seconds if you’re in a hurry, though the oven keeps the exterior crispier.
FAQs
What type of apples work best for Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings?
Go for a crisp, tart apple like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady. Their firm texture and bright flavor balance beautifully with the buttery sweetness of the dumplings.
Can I use diet or sugar-free soda instead of regular?
Yes, you can use a diet or sugar-free lemon-lime soda to reduce the sugar content, but the syrup may be slightly less thick and sweet. It still works well for a lighter version.
Why pour the soda only around the edges?
Pouring the soda around the edges helps prevent the tops of the dumplings from getting soggy, allowing them to bake up golden and crisp while the soda blends with the buttery sauce underneath.
Can I prepare Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings ahead of time?
For the best texture, bake and serve them fresh. However, you can assemble the dumplings and sauce several hours ahead, then cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake.
Are there any other fruits I can substitute for apples?
Absolutely! Try using pear slices or even peaches for a summery twist. Just follow the same method, adjusting the spice to complement your chosen fruit.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for pure comfort, astonishing flavor, and simplicity in one recipe, Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings deserve a spot in your kitchen. Give them a try and watch your friends and family light up with every warm, cinnamon-scented bite—you’ll want to make these again and again!
Print
Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings Recipe
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 8 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Tender apples wrapped in crescent dough and baked in a sweet buttery sauce.
Ingredients
Crescent Roll Dough:
- 2 cans crescent roll dough
Apples:
- 2 apples, peeled & sliced
Sauce:
- 1 cup butter, melted
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Additional:
- 1 can lemon-lime soda
Instructions
- Wrap apple slices in crescent dough: Take each apple slice and wrap it in a crescent dough triangle. Place the wrapped slices in a baking dish.
- Mix butter, sugar, cinnamon: In a bowl, mix the melted butter, sugar, and cinnamon until well combined. Pour this mixture over the wrapped apple slices in the baking dish.
- Pour soda around edges: Carefully pour the lemon-lime soda around the edges of the baking dish.
- Bake: Bake the dumplings in a preheated oven at 350°F for 35–40 minutes until the crescent dough is golden brown and the apples are tender.
- Prep Time: 15m
- Cook Time: 40m
