Apple Dumplings

Apple Dumplings are a comforting, old-fashioned dessert featuring whole or sliced apples wrapped in pastry, baked in a buttery cinnamon-sugar syrup. They’re cozy, slightly crisp, tender inside, and absolutely delicious served warm with ice cream.

Here’s a classic and simple version:

Classic Apple Dumplings Recipe

Ingredients:

For the Dumplings:

• 2 large apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work great)

• 1 can crescent roll dough (8 rolls) or homemade pie crust

• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

• ¾ cup sugar

• ½ tsp cinnamon

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 cup Mountain Dew or lemon-lime soda (this creates a tender, syrupy base — trust the process!)

Optional:

• A pinch of nutmeg

• Brown sugar for extra depth

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

2. Prepare the apples:

   • Peel, core, and cut apples into 8 slices each (you’ll have 16 slices).

   • If using whole apples per dumpling, peel and core without slicing (you’ll need more dough or pie crust).

3. Wrap the apples:

   • Separate the crescent dough triangles.

   • Wrap each apple slice in a triangle of dough and place seam-side down in the baking dish.

4. Make the syrup:

   • In a saucepan or microwave, melt butter. Stir in sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. It will be slightly grainy — that’s fine.

   • Pour the mixture evenly over the dumplings.

5. Add the soda:

   • Pour the soda around (not over) the dumplings in the dish. This helps create a caramel-like sauce during baking.

6. Bake:

   • Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.

7. Serve:

   • Spoon dumplings into bowls, drizzle with sauce from the pan, and serve warm — best with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Would you prefer a version using homemade pie dough or puff pastry instead of crescent rolls?