These apple dumplings with crescent rolls are an easy homemade dessert made with soft Pillsbury crescent dough wrapped around fresh apple slices, then baked in a buttery brown sugar sauce with warming spices and lemon-lime soda. Ready in under an hour, they're perfect for fall gatherings or weeknight treats.
Updated October 6, 2025: Revised post structure for improved readability, added detailed FAQ section, and expanded expert tips. Recipe remains unchanged from original testing. Originally posted April 10, 2013.
As a food blogger since 2013, I've tested this recipe countless times with my family, and it remains one of our most-requested apple desserts. The combination of tart Granny Smith apples and sweet, flaky crescent rolls creates the perfect balance of flavors and textures. Learn more about my approach to recipe testing.
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What You'll Need
- Apples: Use firm, tart apples like Granny Smith that hold their shape during baking. You'll need 2 medium apples, sliced into 8 wedges each (16 total). Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Golden Delicious also work well.
- Crescent Rolls: Two 8-ounce tubes of refrigerated Pillsbury crescent rolls (classic or big & buttery style). These provide the flaky, buttery pastry coating.
- Butter: One cup of unsalted or salted butter creates the rich sauce base.
- Brown Sugar: Light or dark brown sugar adds molasses depth to the sauce.
- Spices: Ground cinnamon and nutmeg provide warm, cozy fall flavors.
- Lemon-Lime Soda: Sprite, 7-Up, or similar citrus soda (avoid diet versions) helps create tender, poached dumplings while adding subtle sweetness.
📖 Recipe
Apple Dumplings with Crescent Rolls Recipe
Equipment
- 1 9x13 inch baking dish
- 1 Apple slicer/corer (optional but helpful)
- 1 Vegetable peeler
- 1 Medium Saucepan
- 1 sharp knife
Ingredients
- 2 medium Granny Smith apples
- 2 (8-ounce) tubes refrigerated crescent rolls
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 12 ounces lemon-lime soda (Sprite or 7-Up)
Instructions
- Prepare apples: Wash, peel, and core 2 apples. Cut each apple into 8 even wedges for a total of 16 slices.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Assemble dumplings: Unroll 2 tubes crescent dough and separate into 16 triangles along perforations. Place one apple slice at the wide end of each triangle. Roll dough around apple, starting from the wide end and rolling to the point. Place seam-side down in prepared baking dish. Repeat with remaining dough and apples.
- Make sauce: In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt 1 cup butter until bubbly. Stir in 1 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon nutmeg. Mix until combined (mixture may appear slightly grainy). Pour sauce evenly over dumplings in the baking dish.
- Add soda: Pour 12 ounces lemon-lime soda evenly over the top of all dumplings.
- Bake: Place in preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, until dumplings are golden brown and sauce has thickened slightly.
- Serve: Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Serve warm with sauce spooned over the top. Add vanilla ice cream if desired.
Notes
- Apple varieties: Granny Smith works best, but Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, or Braeburn are good alternatives.
- Soda options: Use any citrus or lemon-lime soda. Ginger ale also works. Avoid diet sodas as they alter the sauce texture.
- Make-ahead: Assemble dumplings up to 2 hours ahead, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. Add sauce and soda just before baking.
- Crescent roll types: Both classic and "big & buttery" Pillsbury crescents work perfectly.
Expert Tips for Success
- Slice apples evenly using an apple slicer to ensure uniform cooking. Each dumpling should have similarly-sized pieces.
- Peel the apples completely for the softest, most tender texture. The peel can become chewy during baking.
- Roll from wide to narrow when wrapping crescent dough around apple slices. Start at the widest part of the triangle and roll toward the point.
- Don't skip the soda, it may seem unusual, but the carbonation and acidity help tenderize the dumplings and create a syrupy sauce. You won't taste the soda flavor in the finished dessert.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerator: Store leftover dumplings covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The sauce will thicken as it cools.
Freezer: Freeze baked, cooled dumplings in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheating: Warm individual dumplings in the microwave for 30-45 seconds, or reheat the entire pan in a 300°F oven for 15-20 minutes until warmed through.
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Serving Suggestions
These apple dumplings with crescent rolls are best served warm from the oven. The flaky pastry and tender apples pair beautifully with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce. For an extra-special presentation, dust with powdered sugar and add a cinnamon stick garnish.
Recipe Variations
- Caramel Apple Dumplings: Add ½ cup caramel sauce to the butter mixture before pouring over dumplings.
- Pecan Crunch: Sprinkle ½ cup chopped pecans over the dumplings before baking for added texture.
- Cinnamon Sugar Coating: Brush assembled dumplings with melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar before adding the sauce.
- Cherry Variation: Replace apples with pitted cherries (fresh or canned, drained) for cherry dumplings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but choose firm apples that won't turn to mush. Tart varieties balance the sweet sauce best.
The carbonation and acidity in soda help create tender dumplings and a syrupy sauce. As it bakes, the soda flavor disappears completely.
Assemble the dumplings up to 2 hours before baking, then cover and refrigerate. Add the sauce and soda just before putting them in the oven for the best results.
Use a sharp knife to cut each apple into 8 even wedges after peeling and coring. Try to keep slices uniform in size.
You can reduce the brown sugar to ¾ cup, though the sauce will be less sweet and slightly thinner.
More Apple Dessert Recipes
What will you serve with your apple dumplings? Ice cream? Whipped cream? Caramel sauce? Drop a comment below and share your favorite pairing! Then subscribe for more easy apple recipes.
Kristin says
Wow! These look so easy and delicious! Definitely will give it a try.
admin says
Please do...they are really easy to make.
Pam says
Those look SO GOOD. I have to admit, when I saw that one of the ingredients was a can of Mountain Dew, I said, "WHAAAT?" But they look really really good. Stopped by from the Saturday Sharefest. Have a great weekend.
admin says
That is exactly what I thought and it had me a little worried at first, but you cannot taste the Mountain Dew flavor at all.