Transform simple ingredients into an amazing dessert with these easy apple dumplings! The secret? A magical lemon-lime soda bath that creates the most incredible caramel sauce as it bakes.
THE EASIEST APPLE DESSERT EVER
Looking for a dessert that tastes completely homemade but uses clever shortcuts? These apple dumplings are pure genius! With just 5 ingredients and minimal prep, you’ll have a dessert that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Why add lemon-lime soda?
The soda creates moisture and helps develop a beautiful caramel sauce while baking. Plus, the citrus adds a subtle brightness that balances the sweetness.
Can I make these ahead?
Yes! Assemble up to 4 hours ahead, but wait to add the soda until just before baking for best results.
Can I use homemade apple filling?
Absolutely! While canned filling makes this super easy, fresh cooked apples work beautifully too.
TIPS FOR SUCCESS:
- Keep crescent rolls cold until ready to use
- Don’t overfill the crescents
- Pour soda around, not over dumplings
- Leave space between dumplings for sauce
- Let cool 10-15 minutes before serving
- Check at 30 minutes to prevent overbrowning
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE BELOW)
- Crescent rolls
- Apple pie filling
- Butter
- Brown sugar
- Lemon-lime soda
5-INGREDIENT APPLE DUMPLINGS
Ingredients
For the Dumplings:
- 2 8 oz cans refrigerated crescent rolls
- 1 20 oz can apple pie filling
- 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup brown sugar packed
- 1 12 oz can lemon-lime soda
Optional Toppings:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Whipped cream
- Caramel sauce
- Ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 13×9 inch baking dish.
- Unroll crescent rolls and separate into triangles.
- Place a generous spoonful of apple pie filling on wide end of each triangle.
- Roll up crescents, starting from wide end, enclosing filling. Pinch seams to seal.
- Arrange rolls in prepared baking dish, leaving space between each.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and brown sugar until smooth and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Drop spoonfuls of butter mixture over each dumpling.
- Carefully pour soda around dumplings (not over top), filling spaces between rolls.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
- Let cool 10-15 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Make Ahead: Assemble up to 4 hours ahead, add soda just before baking
- Storage: Best served fresh, but keeps 2 days refrigerated
- Reheating: Warm in 300°F oven until heated through
- Variations: Try different pie fillings
- Soda Tips: Any lemon-lime soda works
- Serving: Best warm with ice cream
