Homemade Apple Dumplings Recipe: Sweet Comfort in Every Bite

Sweet, golden apple dumplings burst with nostalgic flavor that transports you straight to grandma’s kitchen.

Tender apples wrapped in buttery, flaky pastry create a dessert that melts in your mouth.

Each bite promises pure comfort and warmth from a classic Southern treat.

The aroma of cinnamon and baked apples will drift through your home, beckoning everyone to the table.

Perfectly spiced and lovingly crafted, these dumplings turn an ordinary evening into a memorable culinary celebration.

Rich caramel sauce drizzled over the top adds a luxurious touch that makes this dessert absolutely irresistible.

Let’s dive into a recipe that turns simple ingredients into pure deliciousness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 476 kcal

Servings: 9

Apple Dumplings Ingredient Rundown

• Granny Smith Apples: Tart, crisp apples that hold their shape perfectly and provide a bright, tangy flavor contrast to the sweet pastry.

• Crescent Roll Dough: Convenient, flaky pastry that creates a golden, buttery exterior for encasing the apples.

• Mountain Dew, Butter, White Sugar, Ground Cinnamon: This magical combination creates a luscious, caramel-like syrup that infuses the dumplings with rich sweetness and warm, aromatic spice. Mountain Dew adds unexpected depth and helps create a glossy, bubbling sauce that caramelizes beautifully during baking.

Tools That Help You Bake Apple Dumplings

• Large Baking Dish (9×13 inch): Perfect for holding all your delicious dumplings.
• Sharp Knife: Essential for cleanly cutting apples into neat wedges.
• Cutting Board: Provides a stable surface for slicing apples safely.
• Pastry Brush: Helpful for evenly spreading the butter mixture.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient amounts.
• Mixing Bowl: Convenient for stirring butter, sugar, and cinnamon together.
• Oven Mitts: Protect your hands when handling hot baking dishes.

How to Make Apple Dumplings From Scratch

• Cozy Preparation Warm up your kitchen and get ready for a delightful baking adventure.
• Apple Magic Select fresh, crisp apples and transform them into delectable treats.
• Pastry Wrapping Gently tuck each apple slice into soft, buttery dough, creating little bundles of joy.
• Sweet Symphony Craft a luscious sauce that will make these dumplings irresistibly delicious.
• Fizzy Surprise Add a secret splash of bubbly soda to create unexpected moisture and flavor.
• Golden Transformation Bake until the dumplings turn a beautiful golden brown, filling your home with an incredible aroma.

Flavor Tips for Warm Apple Dumplings

• Use refrigerated crescent roll dough at room temperature for easier wrapping around apple wedges without tearing.
• Choose firm, tart baking apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture and balanced sweetness in your dumplings.
• Experiment with nutmeg, cardamom, or ginger in the butter mixture to add depth and warm, aromatic flavors to your classic dessert.
• Assemble dumplings up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate, then bake just before serving for a stress-free dessert preparation.
• Top warm dumplings with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat that elevates this simple yet delicious dessert.

Serving Suggestions for Apple Dumpling Desserts

• Cozy Breakfast Companion: Pair these warm apple dumplings with a steaming mug of cinnamon coffee for a delightful morning treat that melts in your mouth.
• Sweet Sidekick Delight: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, letting the cold creamy texture contrast beautifully with the warm, gooey pastry.
• Elegant Dessert Presentation: Dust the golden dumplings with powdered sugar and add a sprig of fresh mint for a restaurant-worthy plating that impresses guests with minimal effort.
• Comforting Nightcap Option: Drizzle extra caramel sauce over the dumplings and enjoy with a small glass of bourbon or dessert wine for a sophisticated after-dinner indulgence.

How to Store Leftover Apple Dumplings

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover apple dumplings in an airtight container within the refrigerator, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent condensation and maintain crispy texture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare dumplings up to 24 hours in advance, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate unbaked. Simply remove from fridge, let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes, then bake as directed.
• Freezing Friendly Method: Wrap individual cooled dumplings separately in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe containers. Frozen dumplings stay delicious for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and reheat at 325°F for 10-15 minutes.
• Reheating Perfection: Warm refrigerated or thawed dumplings in oven at 325°F for 10-12 minutes to restore original crispy exterior and warm, gooey center. Microwave works in a pinch but may soften the pastry's crunch.

Irresistible Apple Dumplings Recipe

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4.6 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Homemade apple dumplings create a delightful dessert with tender pastry and warm spices. Rich Pennsylvania Dutch traditions shine through this classic comfort dish you will savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup (226 grams) butter
• 2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and cored
• 2 (10 oz/280 g) cans refrigerated crescent roll dough
• 1 ½ cups (300 g) white sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 (12 fl oz/355 ml) can or bottle Mountain Dew

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish, creating a non-stick surface for the dumplings.
2. Apple Wrapping: Core and slice apples into eight uniform wedges, then meticulously wrap each segment within a crescent roll dough segment, ensuring complete and seamless coverage.
3. Sauce Creation: In a saucepan, transform butter, granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon into a luxurious, glossy mixture by melting and stirring until perfectly blended and aromatic.
4. Assembly: Lavishly drench the wrapped apple dumplings with the prepared butter-sugar elixir, then cascade Mountain Dew across the entire baking dish, allowing the liquid to infiltrate between and around the pastry bundles.
5. Baking: Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 35-45 minutes, watching for a golden-brown pastry exterior and tender apple interior that promises delectable results.
6. Resting: Extract the dumplings from the oven and let them rest 5-10 minutes, enabling the sauce to thicken and flavors to harmonize before serving this irresistible dessert.

Notes

• Precise Apple Cutting: Slice apples into uniform wedges for consistent baking and even cooking texture.
• Wrap Carefully: Ensure complete apple coverage with crescent roll dough to prevent filling leakage during baking.
• Sauce Importance: The butter-sugar-Mountain Dew mixture creates a rich, caramelized coating that enhances overall flavor and moisture.
• Resting Period: Allow dumplings to sit after baking, letting the sauce thicken and flavors develop for a more intense dessert experience.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 476
• Sugar: 33 g
• Sodium: 291 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 61 mg