If you’re craving an easy apple dessert that looks and tastes like something from your favorite bakery, Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings are about to steal your heart. This classic recipe transforms simple store-bought crescent dough into buttery, flaky dumplings wrapping juicy apples, all bubbling away in a sweet, cinnamon-kissed sauce. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or treating yourself to a cozy night in, Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings deliver irresistible comfort with minimal effort—ready in under an hour and perfect for special occasions or spontaneous cravings alike.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings is in their simplicity: you only need a handful of easy-to-find ingredients, but each one brings something essential to the dish. Here’s how each component works its magic for that perfect balance of sweet, tart, and buttery goodness.
- Granny Smith apples: Their tart flavor stands up beautifully to the sweet sauce, keeping every bite from being overly sugary and providing a lovely firm texture after baking.
- Refrigerated crescent roll dough: These handy triangles give you bakery-style pastry with zero fuss—just open, roll, and bake!
- Unsalted butter: Melted butter forms the base of the decadent caramel-like sauce, soaking the dumplings with flavor and richness.
- Granulated sugar: Standard sugar helps sweeten the sauce and creates that glossy, bubbling finish on top.
- Light brown sugar: Adds a deep molasses note that pairs perfectly with apples and cinnamon.
- Cinnamon: The essential spice for apple desserts, adding warmth and an irresistibly cozy aroma.
- Vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla enhances all the flavors and rounds out the sauce with a soft, floral sweetness.
- Lemon-lime soda: This might sound odd, but pouring soda around the dumplings keeps them extra moist in the oven and helps create that luscious syrup you’ll want to spoon over each serving!
How to Make Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings
Step 1: Prep Your Apples and Baking Dish
Start by peeling, coring, and slicing your apples into 8 even wedges each. Take a moment to preheat your oven to 350°F, and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with a little butter or nonstick spray. Proper prep here sets you up for apple dumpling success—tender apples, golden pastry, and easy clean-up.
Step 2: Wrap the Apples in Crescent Dough
Pop open those cans of crescent rolls and separate the dough into triangles. Place an apple wedge at the wide end of each triangle, then simply roll it up, tucking in the edges as you go. This part is actually fun and almost foolproof! Arrange the wrapped dumplings in your greased dish, placing them seam-side down for the prettiest result.
Step 3: Make the Buttery Cinnamon Sauce
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract, stirring until everything is well incorporated. The mixture will be thick and grainy—that’s totally fine. This quick sauce will melt into a gorgeous caramel once baked, coating the apples and pastry in sweet, buttery goodness.
Step 4: Add the Sauce and Soda
Pour your cinnamon-butter mixture evenly over all the assembled dumplings. Now for the secret ingredient—carefully pour the lemon-lime soda around the dumplings (not directly over the top), letting it pool at the bottom of the pan. This creates steam for tender apples and helps develop a delicious syrup underneath.
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Slide the baking dish into the oven and let everything bubble away for 35 to 40 minutes. The Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings are done when the tops are golden brown and your kitchen smells like autumn heaven. Let them cool for just a few minutes before serving; the sauce will thicken slightly as they rest.
How to Serve Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings
Garnishes
For the ultimate finishing touch on your Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings, sprinkle a little extra cinnamon or powdered sugar over the top just before serving. Want to make it unforgettable? Place a scoop of vanilla ice cream alongside each dumpling and watch it melt into that warm, bubbling sauce. A drizzle of caramel or even a dollop of whipped cream sends this dessert right over the top!
Side Dishes
If you’re serving these at a dinner party, keep the sides light. A crisp, fresh green salad with apples and walnuts ties in beautifully with the theme and refreshes your palate between bites. For an indulgent brunch, pair Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings with smoky bacon or breakfast sausage for a deliciously sweet-and-savory spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Try baking individual dumplings in ramekins for a more elegant presentation—perfect for holiday entertaining. Stack two dumplings on a plate, drizzle with sauce, and add spiced walnuts for crunch. For a rustic feel, serve them in the baking dish, letting everyone scoop their own. However you serve them, these are showstoppers!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings never last long, but if you happen to have a few, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll keep well for up to 3 days, soaking in even more of that sweet syrup as they sit.
Freezing
If you’d like to make Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings ahead or save some for later, you can freeze them after baking. Let the dumplings cool completely, then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
To bring those leftovers back to life, place dumplings in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and reheat at 350°F for about 15 minutes, or until heated through. For a crispier top, uncover them for the last 5 minutes. You can also microwave individual servings for 30–45 seconds, though the pastry won’t be quite as crisp.
FAQs
Can I use a different type Dessert
Absolutely! Granny Smith apples are loved for their tartness, but you can also use Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or any firm, tart apple you enjoy. Just make sure the pieces hold their shape during baking for the best texture.
Is it necessary to use lemon-lime soda?
Yes, the soda helps create the signature syrup and keeps the dumplings soft. If needed, try substituting with apple cider or ginger ale for a twist, but soda really gives Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings that classic finish.
Can I assemble the dumplings ahead of time?
You can assemble the dumplings and pour the sauce over them a few hours ahead—just refrigerate, then add soda and bake when ready. I wouldn’t recommend overnight assembly, as the dough may get too soggy before baking.
Why is my sauce still grainy after baking?
Some sugar granules are normal in this recipe—once baked, the sauce becomes gorgeously thick and syrupy. If you prefer a perfectly smooth sauce, stir the mixture a bit longer on the stovetop so more sugar dissolves before pouring it over the dumplings.
How do I prevent the bottoms from getting too soggy?
Don’t worry, a gooey bottom is part of the magic! But if you like a firmer pastry, just use a little less soda around the dumplings and make sure your oven is fully preheated before baking.
Final Thoughts
Once you’ve tried Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings, it’s hard to imagine an easier or more satisfying comfort dessert. Share them warm with friends, dress them up for holidays, or sneak one as a midnight snack—you won’t regret it. I hope you’ll make this recipe your own and savor every sweet, spiced bite!
Print
Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Enjoy the delightful combination of sweet apples, warm spices, and buttery crescent rolls in this easy-to-make Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings recipe. Perfect for a cozy dessert that will impress your guests.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 2 large Granny Smith apples (peeled, cored, and cut into 8 wedges)
- 2 cans (8 oz each) refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 can (12 oz) lemon-lime soda (such as Sprite or 7UP)
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare baking dish: Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Wrap apples in crescent dough: Separate crescent dough into triangles. Wrap each apple wedge in one crescent roll triangle, starting at the wide end and rolling to the tip. Place in baking dish.
- Prepare sauce: In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla until combined. Pour over dumplings.
- Add soda and bake: Pour soda around dumplings in the pan. Bake for 35–40 minutes until golden and bubbly. Cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream
- Add nutmeg for extra flavor
- Try with other tart apples like Honeycrisp or Braeburn
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 dumpling
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 31g
- Sodium: 360mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
