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Rustic Apple Dumplings

Finished Rustic Apple Dumplings with ice cream
Enjoy the comforting aroma of Rustic Apple Dumplings, where tart Granny Smith apples meet buttery crescent rolls in a warm, cinnamon-sweet embrace.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Serving Size 16

Ingredients

Granny Smith Apples (2 total)

  • Tart flavor balances the sweet sauce ideal for baking.

Crescent Rolls (2 cans, 8 oz each)

  • Shortcuts the dough-making process for convenience.

Butter (1 cup, melted)

  • Adds richness creating a glossy, caramel-like sauce.

Sugar (1 cup)

  • Sweetens the butter sauce forming a syrupy glaze.

Vanilla Extract (1 tsp)

  • Warms and rounds out the sweet flavors.

Cinnamon (to taste)

  • Sprinkle for a spicy hint that complements the apples.

Mountain Dew or Sprite (1 can, ~12 oz)

  • Adds fizz and a tangy note distinguishing these dumplings from traditional recipes.

Instructions

Preheat & Grease

  • Heat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Generously coat two 9×13-inch baking dishes with cooking spray or butter.

Prep the Apples

  • Peel and core the Granny Smith apples.
  • Cut each apple into 8 equal slices.

Wrap in Crescent Rolls

  • Separate the crescent roll dough into triangles.
  • Place one apple slice on the wide end of each triangle. Roll it up snugly, then place seam-side down in the baking dish.

Make the Sauce

  • In a small bowl, combine melted butter, sugar, and vanilla extract.
  • Drizzle this mixture evenly over all the dumplings.

Add Soda & Cinnamon

  • Carefully pour the soda around the edges of the dish, avoiding pouring directly over the dumplings.
  • Dust the tops with cinnamon.

Bake

  • Bake for 40–45 minutes or until the dumplings are golden brown and puffy.
  • The sauce will bubble up and lightly caramelize around the edges.

Serve Warm

  • Let them cool slightly, then serve topped with ice cream or whipped cream. Spoon extra sauce from the pan over each dumpling.

Notes

Chill Dough Before Use
Keep crescent dough in the fridge until you’re ready to wrap the apples. Cold dough is easier to handle and bakes into a flakier crust, giving your dumplings the perfect texture.