Description
Delight in these classic Apple Dumplings made with tart Granny Smith apples wrapped in buttery crescent roll dough, baked to golden perfection with a luscious Mountain Dew-infused butter-sugar sauce. This easy-to-make dessert balances sweet, tangy, and cinnamon flavors, perfect for a cozy treat any time of year.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit
- 2 Granny Smith apples
Dough
- 2 (8-oz.) cans crescent rolls
Sauce
- 1 cup butter, plus more for greasing
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 (12-oz.) can Mountain Dew soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare the Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously butter a 13-by-9-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and add extra richness to the dumplings as they bake.
- Prepare the Apples: Peel and core the Granny Smith apples. Slice each apple in half vertically, then cut each half into 4 wedges, resulting in 16 apple pieces ready for wrapping.
- Wrap the Apples in Crescent Dough: On a lightly floured surface, unroll the crescent roll sheets and separate them into 16 individual triangles. Place one apple wedge on the wide base of each triangle and roll it tightly toward the pointed end, ensuring the dough overlaps to fully encase the apple wedge. Arrange each wrapped apple seam-side down in the prepared baking dish.
- Make the Butter-Sugar Sauce: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt 1 cup of butter. Add the sugar and stir minimally to keep a lumpy, grainy texture without melting the sugar completely. Carefully stir in the vanilla extract to combine without overmixing.
- Add Sauce and Mountain Dew: Pour the butter and sugar mixture evenly over the apple dumplings in the baking dish. Next, carefully pour the Mountain Dew soda around the edges of the pan, adding a fizzy sweetness. Sprinkle cinnamon evenly over the top for a warm, spicy note.
- Bake the Dumplings: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 45 minutes until the dumplings are golden brown, the dough is crisp, and the sauce is bubbling and caramelized.
- Serve: Allow the apple dumplings to cool slightly before serving. Spoon some of the luscious pan sauce over each dumpling. For an indulgent finish, serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Notes
- Use tart Granny Smith apples for the best balance of flavor and texture.
- For extra crispness, you can chill the wrapped dumplings in the fridge for 10 minutes before baking.
- Mountain Dew adds a unique citrusy sweetness; substitute with another lemon-lime soda if needed.
- Ensure not to dissolve the sugar fully when making the sauce to maintain its characteristic texture.
- Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream for a classic dessert experience.
