There’s just something so quintessentially summer about fresh, juicy strawberries. One bite of those bright ruby gems and you’re instantly transported to warm sunny days, backyard barbecues, and easy breezy evenings with loved ones. When those peak season berries get baked up into sweet, pillowy dumplings swimming in a rich, buttery sauce? Well, that’s when summertime truly hits its sweet spot.
These outrageous strawberry dumplings are the ultimate warm weather indulgence. Ripe berries get wrapped up in tender, flaky pastry dough, creating the most luscious little hand-pie parcels. But instead of baking up plain, these precious pockets get smothered in a decadent brown sugar-vanilla sauce that bakes up into sticky, caramelized perfection. Every bite is an ooey-gooey mashup of juicy fruit and rich, cinnamony syrup that will have you weak in the knees.
While strawberry dumplings are certainly a treat reserved for special occasions, they’re so simple to whip up that you’ll be making them all summer long. Just a few pantry staples get fancied up with fresh berries for a rustic yet elegant dessert that’s perfect for backyard gatherings, weekend brunches, or any time you need a lil’ taste of summertime bliss. Heck, they’re so good you just might want them for breakfast!
Why These Strawberry Dumplings Are a Must-Make
- Such an easy way to dress up fresh summer strawberries
- Tender, flaky pastry wraps around juicy berries for the perfect hand-pie
- Smothered in a rich, buttery brown sugar-vanilla sauce that bakes into gooey caramel perfection
- Simple enough for a weeknight treat yet elegant for special occasions
- Endlessly customizable with fun filling mix-ins or creative toppings
- Make-ahead and reheat beautifully for easy entertaining
Strawberry Dumpling Ingredients
- Refrigerated Crescent Roll Dough (or pie crust/puff pastry)
- Fresh Strawberries
- Butter
- Brown Sugar
- Vanilla Extract
- Cinnamon
- Lemon Juice
- 7-Up or Sprite (for that signature bubbly sauce)
How to Make Strawberry Dumplings
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- Unroll the crescent dough and separate into triangles. Place a spoonful of sliced strawberries at the wide end of each. Roll up and pinch to seal, forming little strawberry hand pies.
- Arrange the dumplings in the prepared baking dish.
- In a bowl, mash together butter, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, lemon juice and remaining strawberries until a thick sauce forms.
- Pour the strawberry sauce evenly over the dumplings.
- Carefully pour the soda around the edges of the dish, avoiding pouring directly over the dumplings.
- Bake for 33-36 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
- Allow to cool slightly and serve warm, with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream if desired!
Creative Ways to Fancy Up Your Strawberry Dumplings
- Add a splash of orange or raspberry liqueur to the sauce
- Sprinkle chopped nuts or shredded coconut over the top before baking
- Fill with a mix of berries like raspberries, blackberries or blueberries
- Drizzle with a cream cheese or lemon glaze once cooled
- Top with fresh mint or basil for a bright, herbal note
- Swap crescent dough for pie crust or puff pastry for a fancier twist
However you dress them up, these strawberry dumplings are sure to be a hit! They’re the perfect way to celebrate summer’s star berry in all its juicy glory. Simple to make yet totally show-stopping, these gooey handheld treats are the sweet taste of the season. Grab some fresh berries and get baking for a taste of pure strawberry bliss!
Strawberry Dumplings
Ingredients
- 2 8 oz cans refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries sliced and divided
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 1/4 cups brown sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 1 cup 7-Up or Sprite
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Unroll the crescent dough and separate into triangles. Take 1 cup of the sliced strawberries and place a spoonful at the wide end of each triangle. Roll up the dough around the strawberries and pinch to seal, forming little strawberry hand pies.
- Arrange the dumplings evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the butter and remaining 1/2 cup sliced strawberries. Microwave for 1 minute until butter is melted.
- Use a fork to mash the strawberries into a jam-like consistency. Stir in the brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and lemon juice until well combined.
- Pour the strawberry sauce evenly over the top of the dumplings in the baking dish.
- Carefully pour the 7-Up or Sprite around the edges of the dish, avoiding pouring directly over the dumplings.
- Bake for 33-36 minutes until the dumplings are golden brown and the sauce is bubbling.
- Allow to cool for 5 minutes. Serve the strawberry dumplings warm, with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream if desired.
