These Apple Dumplings are like individual apple pies and they are very easy to make. Best when hot out of the oven with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Apple Dumplings
Which apples are best for apple dumplings?
My preference is to use Granny Smith apples in this recipe, but there are other apples that are just as good. When baking with apples, you want to make sure the apple variety you are using is firm. Some apples break down when baked and become mushy and mealy — not good! I like Granny Smith apples because they are firm and tart, especially in desserts that use sugar. This dessert is not overly sweet, so a firm and sweet apple will also work. Jonagold, Honey Crisp, Fuji, or Golden Delicious apples would all taste great in this recipe.
Recipe variations
They are the best when they are nice and warm out of the oven. Come to think of it, I have never had them cold, mainly because they don’t last even 5 minutes after being pulled out of the oven. I’m sure they are good cold, we just haven’t been able to reach that point yet. Serve these with vanilla ice cream or homemade whipped cream and they are over-the top!
More Apple Recipes
If you have an abundance of apples this year or are just looking to try some new apple recipes, we have TONS to share with you!
- Dutch Apple Pie: This  is our favorite fall pie. It is filled with tart apples and baked with a sweet and buttery crumb topping.
- Disneyland Apple Pie Caramel Apples: These Apple Pie Caramel Apples from Disneyland are my new favorite treat! Can’t make it to Disney? Bring the magic to your kitchen with this easy recipe!
- Traditional Apple Crisp: This is a no-frills, easy, traditional apple crisp recipe that can’t be beat. Just like the apple crisp the lunch lady used to make back in the good ol’ days (but better)!
- Copycat Bluebird Turkey and Brie Sandwich: Our Bluebird’s Turkey and Brie Sandwich Copycat is the best sandwich ever. It’s unique flavors are so good, like deli turkey, crisp apples, and brie cheese.
- Apple, Ham, and Cheddar Melts:Â Apple, Ham, and Cheddar Melts are my favorite lunch in the fall. It takes grilled cheese to a whole new level.
How to Make Apple Dumplings
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Peel and core apples and cut into 8 slices each. Roll each apple slice in a crescent roll. Place in a 9 x 13 pan lined with cooking spray.
- Melt butter in a large bow. Add sugar and stir. Mix in vanilla and pour the entire mixture over the wrapped apples. Pour Sprite (or preferred soda) around the edges of the pan.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon and bake for 40 minutes.Â
- Remove from oven. Spoon sauce from the pan over the dumplings when serving. Optional: Top with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Barb says
everyone who ate this loved it!
Tawnie says
YUM! So so good. The step by step photos were helpful too, thank you!!
Luci says
Yum! These apple dumplings are delicious. I loved the texture and sweet flavors. Paired with vanilla ice cream made for the perfect dessert! I can’t wait to make the dumplings again, they were gone too fast!
Kylie says
These are so delicious! Such a fantastic recipe that everyone enjoyed.
Kechi says
This recipe sounds and looks so so flavorful and delicious! I am going to make them!
Erin Neu says
I’ve never done these before. The recipe doesn’t say what to do with the soda?
Erica Walker says
The instructions just got separated, in the 2nd section of the instructions it says to pour Sprite around the edges of the pan. I will try to fix it so it is more clear. Thanks for pointing this out!
Victoria says
Wondering if I could make the day before Thanksgiving then reheat in the over. 😊
Favorite Family Recipes says
I haven’t tried that before, but I would worry about the consistency since it is such a moist dessert. Plus the apples might brown a bit. Let me know how it goes if you do try it!
Amanda says
These look amazing! Do you think it would be okay to prep everything, cover with foil, and bake later? I was thinking about trying this as dessert for a Friendsgiving where I could prep at home then bake during dinner. Alternatively, I could reheat in the oven. I just worry about it getting mushy or the texture being off. Any suggestions are appreciated!
Favorite Family Recipes says
You could prep the apples rolled in the crescent rolls beforehand, but I would bring the liquid parts (like the melted butter mixture and the sprite) and pour those on right before you bake it. Otherwise I think it would get too mushy. The apples also might brown a little, but it probably wouldn’t alter the texture too much. Hope this helps!
Dorlinda Chong says
Made them. 40 min. they were doughy, 60 min. they were perfect. Ate first serving warm without ice cream, ate second cold with ice cream. Liked them both ways. Used Fuji apples. Next time will try Granny Smiths. 🙂
Favorite Family Recipes says
Ooh yes, ice cream is our favorite way to top these babies! Thank you for sharing your time adjustments, I know our readers will find this very helpful.
Kristine says
I used half white sugar and half brown sugar and added cinnamon. I also mixes the sliced apples in 1/4 cup of the sugar/cinnamon mixture before I rolled them in the crescent rolls. SO GOOD !
J. Towne says
Could you use pie crust instead of crescent rolls?
Favorite Family Recipes says
I haven’t tried it, but I don’t see any reason why not. I would roll the dough out thin, and it may need to cook a little longer. Thanks for asking!
Clara says
What a delicious and easy recipe. The addition of soda was quite interesting but really worked well.
Lynda says
What is Crescent roll dough? Is it puff pastry? We don’t. Have your dough in Australia.
Favorite Family Recipes says
It is very similar to puff pastry dough.
Laura says
What would the recipe be if you was making about 80 apple dumplings for a get together
Favorite Family Recipes says
Each recipe makes 16 dumplings. At a minimum you would need to 5 times the recipe – 10 Granny Smith apples, 10 cans of crescent rolls, 10 sticks of butter, 5 cups sugar, 5 tsp vanilla and 5 cans of Sprite. Good luck! Everyone will love them!
Jo says
Sorry to ask, but I have never heard of crescent rolls before, I am in Australia, is this the same as puff pastry here??
Cheers
Emily says
They are really similar, you can definitely do puff pastry as a substitute.
Mary. Walton says
Found you on Facebook,
Echo says
Great! We are happy to have you join us!
DIane says
Little confused,,, Do you use the whole can of sprite???
Erica says
Yes, the whole thing 🙂
Kathim1 says
Would love to try this, but since there are only two of us I’m wondering if they can be reheated. I’m guessing the best way to reheat would be in the oven and not the microwave? Reasonably sure they would be good cold also, just like apple pie.
Echo says
They are so good cold! I’ve also reheated them in the microwave for just 15-20 seconds and they are almost as good as right out of the oven. I seriously have to limit how often I make these because I could eat them right out of the fridge for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Enjoy!
Marie A Nelson says
This recipe should be perfectly easy to halve since all of the ingredients are in equal portions easily divisible by 2.
Jocelyn says
These dumplings are fabulous! My family loved them. Thanks so much.
Fatmouse says
Is there something else besides butter or margarine that Icould use? Vegetable oil?
Echo says
I would use coconut oil before vegetable oil, but if you don’t have that on hand vegetable oil would also work. Thank you!
Mary says
I don’t see a pin it button. Not sure it’s just me. This recipe looks really good and very easy. Can’t wait to try it
Erica says
There is a pin it button above the first picture on the post. It is in a line of gray social media buttons. Otherwise, you can roll over any images and a pin box will pop up!
Dawn says
The receipe calls for 2 sticks of butter, how much exactly would that be, I’m not sure.
Erica says
That is 1 cup of butter (a stick is 1/2 c.)
Barbara Nalley says
can you use ginger ale ?
Erica says
Yes 🙂
Loueita Hargens says
Made them last night exactly as written. Used Mountain Dew as it is also my favorite drink ever. I have a huge sweet tooth. The only thing I’d do different is put only 3/4 of the cup of sugar in the butter and sprinkle the other 1/4 on top with the cinnamon. Love the texture of the unmelted sugar on top. My husband LOVED them.
Donna says
These are great but oh so sinful. Lots of calories.
Pac10Ten says
What would be a good substitute if you don’t want to use white sugar or brown? How about the “soda” what would use instea?
Emily says
You could try traditional sugar substitutes or honey. For the soda you could substitute a sparkling drink. I can’t guarantee how it would turn out though.
Joanie says
Love your recipes! Why are we not able to pin them to our Pinterest page?
Erica says
You should be able to pin them.. you can roll over any picture and see a pin button or it is at the top of the post (there are other gray sharing icons there, too)
Jacquie says
Can you make these without using Mountain Dew or Sprite? Is there a substitute?
Erica says
You can use any kind of flavored carbonated water… you can use one with less sugar if that is what you are looking for
Izabela says
What can i use instead of butter?thank you
Echo says
You can use a butter substitute for baking, like margarine or “I can’t believe it’s not butter.” Thanks for asking!
Indypup says
What does the Sprite or MD do btw?
Linda says
They look great! One question what is adding the soda suppose to do for these apple dumplings?
Echo says
The soda gives the Apple Dumplings some moisture to cook the apples. The butter and sugar mixture is pretty thick, the soda combines with it and creates a syrupy glaze that is delicious! Thanks for asking!
Cindy says
Could I use diet Sprite or Mt. Dew?
Erica says
Yes, Mt. Dew is awesome with it 😉
Jewel Yaryan says
I have been making these for years . Delicious!!!
Cindy says
Can you use Diet Sprite or MD?
Erica says
Yes, you can use either 🙂
Karen Howard says
These apple Dumplings look Great! I’m Savavating!
Jennifer says
So good I used 7up & put aluminum foil over them they stayed hot more than hour
Jennifer says
Used brown sugar btw
Erica says
K, we made these last night and EVERYONE loved them! We had them with vanilla ice cream…. YUM! This is definitely a repeat!
sarah bumb says
did you use sprite or mt dew
Emily says
I have done both! Either one works great, but I think I like the sprite best.
Olene says
I bet ginger ale would be good to.
Lisa says
Im confused about the sprite! Why is it used?
Erica says
I honestly think it makes it taste just a little lighter. Some just use straight up butter (instead of Sprite).. this is just a lighter alternative and I think it makes it perfectly sweet and helps it bake up nicely 🙂
Erica says
YUM AMBER! These look delicious! We will have to try them soon! I love that there is Mountain Dew in them… that is the selling point right there. 🙂