Pioneer Woman Apple Dumplings are a delightful dessert combining tender apples, buttery crescent dough, and a sweet, cinnamon-spiced sauce. This irresistible treat is simple to make and perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a family gathering or a cozy night in.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Combines minimal ingredients for maximum flavor.
- The buttery crescent dough wraps the apples perfectly.
- Sweet and tangy apples bake into a luscious syrup.
- A versatile dessert that pairs wonderfully with ice cream or whipped cream.
- Quick to prepare yet impressive to serve.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Granny Smith apples
- Crescent roll dough
- Unsalted butter
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Ground cinnamon
- Lemon-lime soda (like Sprite or Mountain Dew)
Directions
- Prepare the Apples:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Peel, core, and slice the apples into 8 wedges.
- Assemble the Dumplings:
- Separate the crescent roll dough into triangles. Wrap each apple wedge in a triangle of dough, starting at the wide end and rolling to the point. Place the wrapped apples in the prepared baking dish.
- Make the Sauce:
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon until combined. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Bake:
- Pour the sauce evenly over the dumplings. Carefully pour the lemon-lime soda around (not on top of) the dumplings in the dish.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the dumplings are golden brown and the sauce is bubbling.
- Serve:
- Let cool slightly before serving. Pair with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra indulgence.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 8
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
Variations
- Fruit Swaps: Try using peaches, pears, or plums instead of apples.
- Dough Alternatives: Substitute crescent rolls with puff pastry or biscuit dough.
- Add Nuts: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top for added crunch.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice to the cinnamon mixture.
- Caramel Twist: Drizzle caramel sauce over the dumplings before baking.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warm or microwave in short intervals.
FAQs
1. Can I use other types of apples?
Yes, but Granny Smith apples are preferred for their tart flavor and firm texture, which hold up well during baking.
2. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
You can assemble the dumplings and refrigerate them (unbaked) for up to 4 hours. Bake just before serving.
3. Can I use diet soda?
Yes, diet lemon-lime soda works if you want to reduce sugar content slightly.
4. Can I freeze apple dumplings?
It’s best to freeze them unbaked. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen, adding extra baking time as needed.
5. Why do I need soda in this recipe?
The soda adds moisture and helps create the rich, syrupy sauce around the dumplings.
6. What can I serve with apple dumplings?
Vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce are classic pairings.
7. Can I reduce the sugar in the sauce?
You can slightly reduce the sugar, but it may affect the texture and sweetness of the sauce.
8. What can I use instead of crescent dough?
You can use homemade pastry dough, pie crust, or even puff pastry.
9. Why are my dumplings soggy?
Ensure not to pour the soda directly on top of the dumplings, as this can make them overly moist.
10. How do I prevent the sauce from becoming too thick?
Measure the soda accurately and avoid overbaking to keep the sauce at the right consistency.
Conclusion
Pioneer Woman Apple Dumplings are the perfect comfort dessert with their tender apples, flaky crescent dough, and rich, cinnamon-sweet sauce. This easy-to-make recipe is a guaranteed hit, whether served at a holiday dinner or as a midweek treat. Pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and you’ll have a dessert everyone will ask for again and again.
Print
Pioneer Woman Apple Dumplings
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These apple dumplings are a delightful dessert featuring tart Granny Smith apples wrapped in crescent roll dough, baked in a buttery cinnamon-sugar sauce with a surprising addition of citrus-flavored soda. The result is a warm, comforting treat that’s perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- Apples:
- 2 Granny Smith apples
- Dough:
- 2 cans (8 oz each) refrigerated crescent roll dough
- Sauce:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 oz citrus-flavored soda (such as Mountain Dew)
- Topping:
- Ground cinnamon, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Prepare the Apples:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Butter a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Peel and core the apples, then cut each into 8 equal slices.
- Assemble the Dumplings:
- Unroll the crescent roll dough and separate it into triangles.
- Place an apple slice at the wide end of each triangle and roll it up toward the pointed end, encasing the apple.
- Arrange the wrapped apple slices in the prepared baking dish.
- Prepare the Sauce:
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Add the sugar and stir gently; the mixture will be grainy.
- Stir in the vanilla extract until combined.
- Combine and Bake:
- Pour the butter-sugar mixture evenly over the dumplings.
- Pour the citrus-flavored soda around the edges of the pan, avoiding pouring directly over the dumplings to maintain their texture.
- Lightly sprinkle ground cinnamon over the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the dumplings are golden brown and the sauce is bubbling.
- Serve:
- Allow the dumplings to cool slightly before serving.
- Serve warm, spooning some of the sauce from the pan over each dumpling.
- Optional: Pair with vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence.
Notes
- For a different flavor, you can substitute the citrus-flavored soda with lemon-lime soda or ginger ale.
- Ensure the crescent roll dough is cold when working with it to make rolling easier.
- This recipe is adapted from Ree Drummond’s original recipe.