Apple Dumplings | The Recipe Critic

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This semi-homemade version of apple dumplings is made with a delicious surprise ingredient! Apple slices get wrapped in crescent dough, smothered in a caramel sauce, then topped with bubbly canned Sprite. You won’t believe how incredible this concoction is when it bakes up!

I LOVE apple season because of all the different ways to use apples in recipes. Apples are absolutely delicious in recipes like this salad. It adds a sweet crunchy texture. I also look forward to making this Irish apple cake and this breakfast casserole when I have extra apples on hand.

What Are Apple Dumplings?

Classic apple dumplings are apples wrapped in a pie crust and then baked in a gooey caramel sauce. The apples get tender and soft, the crust gets golden brown and flakey, and the sauce oozes over the dumplings. But this recipe is getting a refresh because we’re using refrigerated crescent dough and Sprite! And the result is even more amazing! This recipe is the easiest and quickest way to enjoy warm delicious apple dumplings!

It’s fall, and you know what that means! It’s time to make all of your favorite apple desserts, like this easy dump cake. I also love a good pumpkin or zucchini dessert this time of year. Try these pumpkin cookies or these zucchini bars. They are my fave must-have desserts for sure!

Gather the Ingredients

Here’s everything you need to make these gooey caramel apple dumplings! Simple ingredients that you most likely already have in your pantry. Just make sure you have a can of refrigerated crescent rolls and you are all set. See the recipe card below for exact measurements.

• Apple: Yes, just 1 apple! I recommend Granny Smith because it’s the best baking apple.
• Crescent Rolls: Canned crescent rolls make this recipe SO easy!
• Butter: Butter to make the caramel glaze the rolls will bake in.
• Granulated Sugar: The sugar melts into the butter.
• Brown Sugar: Adds a caramel flavor to the sauce.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and Cloves: The best spice combination to complement the apples.
• Vanilla: Adds a touch of flavor and enhances sweetness.
• Sprite: You will need 8 ounces of Sprite in this recipe. The sprite is unexpected but it transforms this dessert into yumminess!

Apple Dumpling Recipe

This is such a fun apple dumpling recipe to make with your kids! They will love to wrap the apples in crescent dough, and you love that you didn’t have to make homemade dough. It’s a win-win situation! They will also get a kick out of using a can of Sprite. And then ask to drink any extra soda that you don’t use!

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare the Pan: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a 9×9 inch baking dish with pan spray and set aside.
2. Prepare the Apple: Peel and core the apple. Slice into 8 equal slices.
3. Wrap Apple Slices in Crescent Dough: Wrap each apple slice in one section of the crescent roll dough, starting on the wide end.
4. Place Dumplings On Prepared Pan: Lay the wrapped slices in the prepared pan. Leave 1 inch between each dumpling.
5. Make the Sauce: In a medium saucepan add the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Heat over medium until thick and bubbling. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
6. Pour Over Dumplings: Pour the sauce over the dumplings, being sure to cover the top of each one.
7. Pour the Sprite Around the Edges of the Dumplings: Pour the Sprite into the pan and around the dumplings. Be careful to NOT pour on top of the dumplings.
8. Bake: Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the dumplings are a deep golden brown. The sauce and Sprite in the pan will thicken. Serve warm with ice cream.