Apple Dumplings Made With Crescent Rolls and a Can of Soda

By Barbara | Soul Food Cooking | SoulFoodCooking101.com

Some desserts ask for your whole afternoon. This one won’t. If you’ve got company on the way, a sweet tooth that won’t quit, or an oven that’s begging to be used now that the weather has turned, I’ve got you covered with these apple dumplings with crescent rolls, and you’ll be proud to carry the pan to the table.

As I say in the video, this recipe is so easy and only has a few ingredients. What sets it apart is the can of lemon lime soda in the pan, which turns buttery cinnamon sugar into a golden syrup for tart Granny Smith apples wrapped in soft crescent rolls. If you’re a fan of my Copycat Fried Apple Pie, these belong on your list.

Recipe Overview

• Prep: 15 min
• Cook: 40 min
• Total: 55 min
• Servings: 16 dumplings
• Cuisine: Southern
• Course: Dessert

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You’ll love these apple dumplings with crescent rolls because the work is simple and the payoff is big. The rolls take the place of homemade dough, so there’s no rolling pin and no flour on your counter. Each Granny Smith slice brings a tartness that keeps all that butter and sugar in balance, and the tops bake up golden while the bottoms soak up the syrup. It’s the same soda magic that makes my 7up Cake a favorite, and it gives you the warm cinnamon smell you’d expect from a Homemade Peach Cobbler with a fraction of the effort. You’ll get 16 dumplings from one pan, so there’s plenty to share.

Ingredients

For the Dumplings:

Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced
Crescent rolls
Cooking oil spray, for the baking dish

For the Buttery Cinnamon Sugar Sauce:

Butter
Granulated sugar
Brown sugar
Vanilla extract
Cinnamon
Nutmeg

For the Pan:

Lemon lime soda

Tools You’ll Need

Baking sheet
Parchment paper
Baking dish
Medium saucepan
Spatula
Sharp knife
Measuring cups and spoons

Watch the Video

Watch me make this full recipe step by step:

How to Make the Best Apple Dumplings With Crescent Rolls

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. These dumplings go into the oven as soon as the soda hits the pan, so you want it fully hot and waiting on you. A hot oven also helps the crescent dough rise and brown instead of sitting in the syrup.

Step 2: Get Your Apples Ready

Peel your Granny Smith apples and cut them into slices. You’ll need one slice for each crescent triangle, so aim for 16 slices in all. Try to keep them about the same size so they soften at the same pace in the oven. Granny Smith apples are firm, which means they’ll hold their shape and won’t turn to mush inside the dough.

Step 3: Lay Out the Crescent Rolls

Remove the crescent rolls from the can and separate them along the perforated lines. Then place the triangles on parchment paper. The parchment gives you a clean work surface and keeps the dough from sticking while you wrap. Don’t worry if a triangle stretches or tears a little. The dough is forgiving, and you can pinch it back together with your fingers.

Step 4: Wrap the Apple Slices

Place one slice of apple on the wide end of each triangle, then roll towards the point. Keep the roll snug, but don’t pull so tightly that the dough tears. It’s fine if the end of an apple slice peeks out of the side. When you’re done, you should have 16 rolls lined up and ready to go.

Step 5: Arrange the Dumplings in Your Dish

Lightly spray your baking dish with oil, then place your dumplings in the dish. Fit them in a snug, even layer so they support each other as they bake. This is also a good time to tuck in any dough that has come loose, because the sauce is coming next.

Step 6: Melt the Butter

Using medium heat, bring your pot to temperature, then melt your butter. Keep the heat steady and stir now and then with a spatula so the butter melts evenly. You want it fully melted and foamy, not browned, because the butter’s flavor needs to stay sweet and clean under the spices.

Step 7: Make the Buttery Cinnamon Sugar Sauce

Now add the sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon to the melted butter. Then mix until all the ingredients are well combined. The sauce will turn a deep caramel color and start to bubble. Keep stirring so the sugar doesn’t catch on the bottom of the pot, then take it off the heat.

Step 8: Pour the Sauce Over the Dumplings

Slowly pour your topping over the dumplings, working from one side of the dish to the other. Try to get a little on every roll, since this is where the cinnamon crust on top comes from. Some of it will run down into the dish, and that’s exactly where it needs to be.

Step 9: Add the Lemon Lime Soda

Next, pour your lemon lime soda over your dumplings. It will fizz up as it hits the warm sauce, and that’s normal. Pour it around the rolls and into the open spaces so you don’t wash all that topping away. This is the step that gives you syrup in the bottom of the pan.

Step 10: Bake Until Golden

Transfer your pan to your oven that has been preheated to 350 degrees and allow it to cook for 35 to 40 minutes. The dumplings are ready when the tops are golden brown and the syrup is bubbling around the edges. Let the pan rest for a few minutes before serving, because that syrup comes out hot.

What to Serve With Apple Dumplings

Serve these warm with a spoonful of the pan syrup over the top. A scoop of vanilla ice cream is a natural partner because it melts into the cinnamon sauce. They also make a strong finish to a Sunday dinner, especially after The Best Smothered Pork Chops In Onion Gravy and a pot of Southern Collard Greens Recipe. On a cold evening, pour a mug of How To Make Homemade Hot Chocolate Rich And Creamy or a cup of hot coffee to go with your dumpling.

How to Store

Let the dumplings cool, then cover the baking dish tightly or move them to an airtight container with some of the syrup. They’ll keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can freeze them in an airtight container for up to 2 months, though the crescent dough will be softer once thawed. Thaw frozen dumplings in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

How to Reheat

For the best texture, warm the dumplings in a covered baking dish at 325 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes, spooning some of the syrup over the top. Take the cover off for the last few minutes if you’d like the tops to firm up again. The microwave works for a single serving when you’re in a hurry, but the dough will be softer.

Pro Tips

Stick with a firm, tart apple, fam. The same tartness that makes a Candy Apple Recipe work against all that sweetness does the same job here. Keep the crescent rolls in the refrigerator until you’re ready to wrap, because cold dough is easier to handle and tears less. Make the sauce after the dumplings are in the dish so it’s still warm and pourable when you need it. Pour the soda around the rolls rather than directly on top, which helps the cinnamon crust stay in place. Finally, set your baking dish on a sheet pan if it’s close to full, since that syrup bubbles as it bakes.

FAQs

Can I use a different kind of apple?

Yes. Granny Smith is what I use because it’s tart and holds its shape, but another firm baking apple will work. Softer, sweeter apples can break down in the oven and make the finished dish sweeter. If you’re in the mood for more fall baking, you’ll find plenty of ideas in my 35 Cozy Fall Recipes Soups Sides Mains Desserts.

Do I have to use lemon lime soda?

The soda is what makes this version what it is, since it thins the sauce into syrup and adds a light citrus note. Any brand of lemon lime soda will do. Choose a regular soda rather than a diet one, because the sugar helps build the syrup.

Can I make apple dumplings with crescent rolls ahead of time?

You can peel and slice the apples and wrap the rolls a few hours ahead, then keep the covered dish in the refrigerator. Make the sauce and add the soda right before baking. That makes these a good fit for a holiday spread, along with the ideas in my 20 Dessert Recipes For Thanksgiving From The Queen Of Soul Food Cooking.

Why is my dough still pale or doughy?

That usually means the pan needs more time, or the rolls were packed in too deep a layer of syrup. Keep the dumplings in a single layer and bake for the full 40 minutes if the tops haven’t turned golden at 35.

What can I make if I need a second dessert for the table?

Pair these with a classic that bakes ahead, like my Sweet Potato Pie. Apple and sweet potato sit well together on a dessert table, and you’ll have something for everybody.

Join the #SFCFamily!

I want the full report on your apple dumplings with crescent rolls, fam. Leave me a comment and tell me how your pan turned out. Did you stay with Granny Smith or try a different apple? Did you serve yours with ice cream? I read every note from the #SFCFamily, and your stories keep me in this kitchen. Snap a picture of your dish and upload it on the Soul Food Cooking app so we can all see it.

The app is free, and it keeps every recipe you love in one place on your phone. You can pick it up at https://soulfoodcooking101.com/soul-food-cooking-app/.

Until next time, remember to cook with love, eat with joy, and always season your food!

Barbara