There are few desserts as comforting and satisfying as a warm, gooey apple dumpling. This 5-Ingredient Apple Dumpling recipe brings together the flavors of flaky crescent rolls, sweet apple pie filling, buttery caramel sauce, and a splash of lemon-lime soda to create a dessert that’s incredibly easy to make yet irresistibly delicious. Best of all, it requires only five simple ingredients, making it perfect for when you’re short on time but still want to impress with a homemade treat.
Whether you’re looking for a quick family dessert, something to bring to a gathering, or just an easy way to enjoy fall’s favorite fruit, these apple dumplings will hit the spot. With minimal prep time and ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry, this recipe is sure to become a go-to for satisfying sweet cravings. Let’s dive into how to make this dessert step-by-step and explore why it’s such a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients:
- 2 (8oz) cans refrigerated crescent rolls
- 1 (20oz) can apple pie filling
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 (12oz) can lemon-lime soda (such as Sprite or 7UP)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat Your Oven:
Before you start assembling the dumplings, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray or butter to ensure the dumplings don’t stick while baking.
2. Prepare the Crescent Rolls:
Open the two cans of refrigerated crescent rolls and separate the dough into individual triangles along the perforations. You should have 16 triangles total—8 from each can. If the dough feels sticky or too soft, you can briefly chill it in the fridge to make it easier to handle.
3. Add the Apple Filling:
Take your apple pie filling and, if necessary, chop the apple slices into smaller pieces so they fit more easily inside the crescent rolls. Place a spoonful of the apple filling at the wide end of each crescent roll triangle. Be careful not to overfill them, as you want to be able to roll the dough securely around the filling.
4. Roll and Arrange the Dumplings:
Starting at the wide end of each crescent triangle, gently roll the dough around the apple pie filling, pinching the seams together as you go. Place each rolled-up dumpling seam-side down in the prepared baking dish. Arrange them evenly, leaving a little space between each one to allow for expansion during baking.
5. Make the Butter Sauce:
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 cup of unsalted butter. Once the butter has melted completely, stir in 1 cup of brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and combined. Be careful not to boil the butter-sugar mixture—just stir until everything is dissolved.
6. Pour the Sauce and Add the Soda:
Once your butter sauce is ready, pour it evenly over the dumplings in the baking dish. Be sure to coat each dumpling generously to ensure they get that delicious caramelized flavor during baking.
Next, carefully pour the lemon-lime soda around the edges and between the dumplings in the baking dish. The soda will add moisture and help create a bubbly, caramel-like sauce as the dumplings bake, but avoid pouring it directly over the dumplings to keep the tops from becoming soggy.
7. Bake the Dumplings:
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. The dumplings should be golden brown on top, with the sauce bubbling and thickened around them. If they start to brown too quickly, you can loosely cover the dish with aluminum foil for the last 10 minutes of baking.
8. Serve Warm:
Once the dumplings are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. Serve the apple dumplings warm, ideally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra indulgent treat.
Why This Recipe Works:
- Simplicity and Convenience: With just five ingredients—many of which are pantry staples—this recipe comes together quickly. Using refrigerated crescent rolls and canned apple pie filling cuts down on prep time while still delivering a delicious homemade dessert.
- Delicious Flavor Combination: The combination of buttery, flaky crescent rolls, sweet and tender apples, and a rich caramel-like sauce created from the butter, brown sugar, and soda makes for a dessert that feels indulgent yet is simple to make.
- Versatility: While apple pie filling is a classic choice, this recipe can be easily adapted with other fruit fillings like cherry, peach, or blueberry. You can also add a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg to the apple filling to enhance the flavor.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: These apple dumplings are perfect for fall gatherings, potlucks, holiday desserts, or just a quick treat at home. They’re crowd-pleasers that appeal to both kids and adults.
- Easy Cleanup: Since everything is baked in one dish, cleanup is a breeze—another reason this recipe is a favorite for busy weeknights or last-minute desserts.
Tips for Success:
- Don’t Skip the Soda: The lemon-lime soda is a key ingredient in this recipe, as it helps create the bubbly, caramelized sauce around the dumplings. Make sure to pour it around the edges and between the dumplings to keep the tops crisp.
- Serve Fresh and Warm: These dumplings are best enjoyed fresh from the oven, while the crescent rolls are still flaky, and the sauce is warm and gooey.
These 5-Ingredient Apple Dumplings are the perfect balance of simplicity and indulgence. With their tender, flaky crust, sweet apple filling, and rich caramel sauce, they make for a delightful dessert that’s quick to prepare and sure to impress. Whether you’re making them for a family gathering, a special occasion, or just because, these apple dumplings are guaranteed to be a hit!
