Description
Pioneer Woman’s Apple Dumplings are a simple and delightful dessert featuring tender apple slices wrapped in flaky crescent dough, baked in a sweet cinnamon-sugar butter sauce with a splash of lemon-lime soda for extra moisture and flavor. Perfectly golden and bubbly, these dumplings make a comforting treat served warm, especially paired with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Ingredients
Scale
Apple Dumplings
- 1 large apple (Fuji, Granny Smith, or any tart apple)
- 1 can Pillsbury Crescent dough
Sauce
- 1/2 cup butter
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup Mountain Dew (or any lemon-lime soda)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Prepare the Apples: Peel and core the apple, then cut it into 8 equal slices for uniform cooking and easy wrapping.
- Wrap the Apples: Unroll the crescent dough and wrap each apple slice with a crescent triangle, starting from the wide end to fully enclose the apple.
- Arrange in Baking Dish: Place the wrapped apples seam side down in the prepared baking dish to keep them intact during baking.
- Make the Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the sugar and ground cinnamon until well combined and fragrant, then add the vanilla extract. Pour this warm sauce evenly over the wrapped apples to coat them.
- Add Lemon-Lime Soda: Pour the Mountain Dew carefully around the edges of the baking dish, avoiding the dumplings to maintain the sugar coating, which adds moisture and a subtle citrusy sweetness.
- Bake: Bake the apple dumplings in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until the dough is golden brown and the sauce is bubbly.
- Serve: Serve warm, optionally with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra indulgent dessert experience.
Notes
- You can use any tart apple variety like Granny Smith or Fuji for a balance of sweetness and tang.
- If you prefer, substitute Mountain Dew with another lemon-lime soda or even ginger ale for a different flavor profile.
- Make sure to grease the baking dish well to prevent sticking of the sticky sauce.
- For easier wrapping, chill the crescent dough slightly before using it.
- Serve immediately after baking for the best texture; leftovers can be reheated but the dough might lose some crispness.
