There’s nothing like the warm scent of apples and cinnamon in your kitchen, and these Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings provide that with very little effort. This recipe has become one of my fallbacks around the house on busy weeknights when we want something sweet but not something that requires huge amounts of time spent making it. With store-bought crescent roll dough and a handful of simple ingredients, you can create a dessert so delicious it seems like it took you hours to prepare.

What sets this dessert apart is the pairing of tart Granny Smith apples, enveloped in the flaky goodness of crescent rolls, then bathed in a buttery cinnamon caramel sauce. And here’s the fun part: A splash of lemon-lime soda that’s added all around the dumplings helps to create a luscious sauce that’s great for spooning over a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

This recipe combines convenience with flavor, two qualities I love. It’s like my other one-pan desserts I make so I have a shortcut without sacrificing flavor. You’re definitely going to want this in your dessert rotation if you’re a fan of uncomplicated, delicious treats. I promise, once you serve these ooey-gooey dumplings to your family or company, they will be asking for them over and over again!

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Why You Will Love These Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings

Quick & Easy: All you need are a handful of ingredients and little prep to make these dumplings, they’re easy as pie.
Warm and Cozy Flavor: Tender apples combined with warm cinnamon, plus buttery caramel sauce are comfort food at its best.
Crowd-Pleasing: Whether it’s for a potluck or just a cozy night in, everybody will be going back for seconds.
Kid Friendly: Little hands can help roll the apples in the dough, which makes this a fun family activity.
Versatile: Use whatever apples you have on hand and adjust the spices based on your taste!

Ingredients Notes

Granny Smith Apples: The tartness of these apples counteracts the sweetness of the caramel sauce perfectly. But you could also use Honeycrisp, Fuji, or any firm apple that stands up well to baking.
Crescent Roll Dough: Using store-bought crescent roll dough saves time but not flavor. Alternatively, you can use a sheet of puff pastry instead.
Lemon-Lime Soda: This may sound counterintuitive, but the soda provides moisture and contributes to a sweet, syrupy sauce as the dumplings bake. You can use any lemon-lime soda, such as Sprite or 7-Up.
Butter: Contributes richness and aids in forming that irresistible caramel sauce. Unsalted is best, but if using salted butter, use less kosher salt.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Oven and Baking Dish Prep

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Lightly grease a 13” x 9” baking dish with some butter to prevent the dumplings from sticking.

Step 2: Prep the Apples

Peel and core the Granny Smith apples and cut each apple into eighths.
Sprinkle a little lemon juice over the apple slices as you work, to keep them from browning. (This is optional, but it helps them retain a fresh look.)

Step 3: Assemble the Dumplings

Roll out the crescent roll dough and divide it into triangles on a flat surface.
Position one apple slice at the wide end of each triangle, then carefully roll the dough around the apple slice, working from the wide end toward the narrow tip. This should cohere into a nice little dumpling.
Place all the dumplings in the prepared baking dish, leaving a little space between each.

Step 4: Make the Caramel Sauce

In a small saucepan, melt together:
- ¾ cup butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
Heat over medium, stirring until the butter has completely melted and the brown sugar dissolves, forming a smooth caramel sauce.

Step 5: Pour and Add Soda

Drizzle the caramel sauce evenly over the dumplings and coat them well.
Pour the 8 oz. lemon-lime soda carefully around the edges of the baking dish, do not pour directly over the dumplings. This ensures that the soda swirls around with the caramel to make for a luscious sauce while the dumplings bake up flaky.

Step 6: Bake on Low, for a Bit

Transfer the dish to the oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the dumplings are golden and the sauce is sizzling.

Step 7: Serve

These dumplings are best served warm, right from the oven.
Top with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzle some of the excess caramel sauce, from the pan, on top.
Watch the ice cream drip into the warm dumplings — heaven!

Serving Suggestions

On Their Own: These dumplings are great as is, but the warm, gooey filling harmonizes beautifully with the crisp exterior.
With Ice Cream: Vanilla ice cream is a classic choice, but you can be as extravagant as you like — cinnamon, caramel swirl, butter pecan.
Extra Indulgence: Drizzle over some extra caramel sauce before serving for an extra indulgent touch.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Room Temperature: Leftover apple dumplings, which you should store in an airtight container, will keep at room temperature for 1 to 2 days.
For Longer Storage: Refrigerate the dumplings and eat them within 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven to restore that fresh-baked-quality taste.
Reheat:
- For individual dumplings, microwave for 20-30 seconds.
- Place the entire baking dish in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes until warmed through.

Variations

Find Some Nuts: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the dumplings before baking for added crunch.
Spice It Up: Add a sprinkle of nutmeg or a pinch of cloves to the caramel sauce for a warm, spiced flavor.
Swap the Soda: Use ginger ale in place of the lemon-lime soda for a subtly different flavor. It adds the same sweetness but with a bit of spice.
Apple Variety: Use Fuji or Gala instead of Granny Smith for a sweeter, softer filling.

These Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings are simple, quick, and unbelievably delicious. With a flaky crescent roll exterior, tender apple filling, and that incredible buttery caramel sauce, they will quickly become a household favorite. Whether you’re making them for a family dessert, a potluck, or a cozy night in, they are sure to disappear fast!

So preheat that oven, grab your apples, and get ready to enjoy one of the easiest and most satisfying desserts you’ll ever make!