These apple dumplings are so simple to make, and they're always a hit with kids (and adults)!
Made with crescent rolls, apples and believe it or not a can of Mountain Dew soda! This recipe is a fun twist on a classic dessert that everyone will love.
Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream or some caramel sauce, and you've got a delicious treat.
Let me show you how to make another crescent roll recipe that's a super fast, comforting dessert made with all the flavors of fall!
It doesn't get any easier than taking apple wedges tossed with sweet cinnamon/sugar, wrapped in crescent rolls and then baked in a fun lemon lime soda.
Yes, you read that correctly. This is an easy semi-homemade recipe for Apple Dumplings made with lemon lime soda!
Once baked, it's hard to tell you used refrigerated crescent roll dough instead of a traditional pie dough recipe. Sweet and tart at the same time, this another apple dessert recipe that's sure to be a winner!
Table of Contents
- What are the Best Apples to Use for Apple Dumplings?
- Can I substitute Mountain Dew Soda?
- Helpful Kitchen Tools
- Main Ingredients Needed
- Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Expert Tip
- Quick Tip
- Prepare the Butter Sugar Mixture
- Mountain Dew Apple Dumplings
- Baking Instructions
- Before You Begin!
- Serving Tips
- Storing, Freezing, Thawing and Reheating Tips
- Ready for more great apple recipes?
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 💬 Comments
What are the Best Apples to Use for Apple Dumplings?
The following apples all hold their shape well during cooking and taste delicious in different recipes. A good tip is to mix a few different apples in recipes to come up with the flavor you and your family like best.
- Golden Delicious
- Baldwin
- Cortland
- Northern Spy are perfect for homemade applesauce.
- Idareds
- Honey Crisp - which is what I used for this recipe.
Can I substitute Mountain Dew Soda?
- The answer to this question is YES!
- I have made this recipe a few times using 7-Up Soda and Sprite. You want to use a lemon-lime flavored soda and make sure it's not diet.
- If you want to eliminate the soda altogether, try my Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings Recipe. It's made with no soda at all and drizzled with a homemade caramel sauce at the end.
- A few people have tried orange juice, but I haven't. They all said it worked great though.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
More InformationMore InformationMore InformationMore Information
Main Ingredients Needed
Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. Find the exact amounts and click the Instacart button to easily add them to your cart – all in the printable recipe card below!
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Instead of apples, try fresh peaches or canned peaches, like I do with my Peach Dumplings Recipe.
- Pears would work nicely as well.
- If you don't have Mountain Dew, try Sprite or 7-Up Soda. Even orange juice would work. Make sure you use full sugar sodas or juice.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Start by peeling and coring both apples. Then, slice each apple using an apple corer to get a total of 16 slices. Sprinkle these apple slices with 1 tablespoon of the cinnamon/sugar mixture and set them aside while you prepare the crescent rolls.
Expert Tip
The first few times I made this recipe, I sliced the apples way too thin. And then I remembered this Apple Corer tool sitting in my basket of kitchen utensils. It's perfect for this recipe!
Step 2: Unwrap both containers of crescent rolls and separate the triangles. Next, place one apple wedge on the wide end of each crescent roll triangle. Starting at that same wide end, roll up the apple inside the crescent roll – it's super easy!
Quick Tip
I am using my favorite Parchment Baking Sheets again for this recipe. Not only are these Parchment Baking Sheets great for baking, but they're great for prep work! Makes cleanup so much easier.
Prepare the Butter Sugar Mixture
Step 3: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the sugar and vanilla, stirring gently until combined. The resulting mixture will be thick and clumpy.
Mountain Dew Apple Dumplings
Step 4: Carefully remove the saucepan from the heat and drizzle the warm mixture evenly over the dumplings, ensuring each one is coated. Then, pour the cup of soda around the base of the rolls, avoiding the tops.
Baking Instructions
Step 5: Bake for 30 to 40 minutes in a preheated 350°F oven. Or until the mixture is bubbly and the tops of the dumplings are golden brown.
Before You Begin!
If you make this recipe, please leave a review and star rating. This helps my business thrive and continue providing FREE recipes.
Serving Tips
Allow the dumplings to cool slightly for about 10 minutes before serving. They are best enjoyed warm from the oven, dusted with a generous sprinkle of powdered sugar. For an extra decadent touch, add a scoop (or two!) of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of rich caramel sauce.
Storing, Freezing, Thawing and Reheating Tips
Refrigerator: Place the cooled dumplings in an airtight container or wrap them individually in plastic wrap before refrigerating. They should stay fresh for 3 to 4 days.
Freezer: Place the leftovers in a freezer-safe container or bag. They'll remain fresh for up to 3 months.
Thawing and Reheating: Allow them to defrost overnight in the refrigerator. You can reheat the apple dumplings in the microwave for 15-30 seconds. Don't overheat them as it will turn the crescent rolls rubbery.
Ready for more great apple recipes?
You might enjoy this same recipe only made with peaches! Try my Peach Dumplings Recipe. Or you might enjoy this Easy Italian Apple Cake.
📖 Recipe Card
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Apple Dumplings
Ingredients
- Refrigerated Crescent Rolls - 2 cans 8 ounce size each
- Two apples
- 1 tbsp. cinnamon/sugar mixture
- 1 cup white sugar
- 2 sticks of butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup Mountain Dew Soda
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Toss the apples with the cinnamon/sugar mixture in a large bowl. Set aside while you prepare the crescent rolls.
- Unroll the cans of crescent roll dough and spread out flat on top of a cutting board. Gently separate each roll so you have 16 individual triangles.
- Place one apple wedge on top of an individual triangle of crescent roll dough. Starting from the thickest end of the roll, gently roll the apple up in the dough. Repeat with remaining apple wedges and rolls.
- Place the dumplings in the bottom of a 9X13 rectangle baking dish that's been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the sugar and then vanilla. Stir gently to combine. The mixture will be thick and clumpy. Remove the mixture from heat and pour evenly over the dumplings. being careful to make sure they are all covered.
- Pour the one cup of soda around the rolls, not over the rolls.
- Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until the mixture is bubbly and the tops of the dumplings are golden brown.
- Cool for about 10 minutes before serving.
- Serve with vanilla ice cream and a sprinkle of powdered sugar. A drizzle of caramel sauce works great too!
Notes
This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2009 with new photos and a new printable recipe card that includes nutritional information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them! Can you believe it's been 10 years since I originally posted this recipe?
JULIE BRIONES says
These look delish, Lois! I'm featuring these on my "21 Autumnal DIYs" post going live tomorrow! Hope you'll drop in!
Susan says
Can these be made with diet Mt dew and stevia? Ìm diabetic and love these!!!!
Karen says
Since i only have 1 package of Cresent rolls. Can i make half of the recipe
Thanks Karen
Brittney says
Hu there! I'm sure you've answered this question a million times somewhere in the endless comments and reviews, so please forgive me ahead of time.for asking, but can this dish be baked in an aluminum pan and be the exact same, or it is better to stick to the glass baking dish. I am going camping (RV) so aluminium pans are easier clean up and easier to transport on a 10 hour trip to the woods. Thanks in advance
Lois says
I sent you a personal email Brittney! I think you can definitely prepare these in an aluminum pan. I wouldn't add the soda until right before baking. Thank you!
Alice says
they DO look delicious, they also look like i'll need about 3 prilosec after i finish - maybe you should include prilosec in your ingredients list - lol! yummy looking for sure!
Karen says
Oh, these look SO GOOD! I'll have to give them a try one day soon.
Have a terrific weekend!
Karen
Beautiful pear tree lane says
I'll say YUMMY Lois, and they look so simple, I like the fact that you have decreased the fat,please leave this recipe on your blog so I can come back and copy it, my printer is broken.
Thank you for coming by and for leaving me such a sweet and encouraging comment, I am so happy to put your name in the hat. I have so been thinking about you and praying
blessings,
Sue
Domestic Designer says
Oh they look soooo good! I like the fact that you cut the butter down. I am always trying to cut back on the calories. 🙂
outdoor.mom says
oh that looks REAL GOOD! Thanks alot - lol! Now i'm going to have to get a cooken' wit sum a thar apples!!
Happily Ever After says
Thanks for sharing this recipe. The photos made my mouth water. Can't wait to try these out.
Thanks again,
Gigi
Janean says
seriously....Mt. Dew??? i've got to go think about that...Mt. Dew? maybe I read it wrong. LOL. they LOOK great.
Olde Dame Penniwig says
I bet those went fast!!!
Charlotte says
I think I'll have to try this recipe. It really looks yummy.
Thanks for the nice comments on my blog about the old church in Boston. How nice to have a replica ornament of it.
Charlotte
Brenda Eason says
OMG those look amazing! I love apple,but i like bread with so this is perfect. Thanks so much.
I love her too and just posted her Peanut Butter Pie.
andrea says
These look wonderful but I am curious, how does the Mountain Dew taste?
Miss Jen says
Oh my... these look adorable!! 🙂
SO yummy!!! I am on 'tasty kitchen'
too... look for Miss Jen and pumpkin cookies. 😉
Love & Blessings~ Miss Jen
Carmen C. says
I'm DROOLING! Those look wonderful, and so much easier with the crescents:)
Busy Mom in NJ says
My mouth is watering and just put Mountain Dew on my shopping list so I can try this recipe!! Thanks for sharing.
Sharon says
I also am a big follower of PW and I have tried several of her recipes.
I want her cookbook so bad.
I do agree that less butter is better.
I will try yours so I have copied your recipe down. Thanks for sharing.
Jill says
I think my stomach just leapt for joy. I WILL try these!
Liesa says
HI LOIS. I HAVE A RECIPE SIMILAR TO THIS...AND IT'S ALWAYS A HUGE HIT!!!! YOU'VE MADE ME HUNGRY. I HAVE COFFEE GOING RIGHT NOW; THOSE WOULD BE YUMMY WITH A CUP!
ALWAYS ENJOY VISITING WITH YA IN YOUR SUNSHINY LIFE!
HAPPY DAY TO YOU AND YOURS.
Nancy says
Yes, they DO look yummy! Dh made some from scratch last week and this recipe is easier(and less messy!) than his recipe. I'm going to share it with him. Thanks!
Nancy
At Home With Amy says
I too have recently made these and you are right they are great. Have you reserved your Pioneer Womans cookbook that is due out soon? I can't wait to get mine.
Enjoy your day.
AMY
Debbie says
Those look REALLY yummy. My grandkids would love them and they do look really easy. I might just have the apples sliced up and ready and let them help me make some tomorrow. Thanks for this..Have a good day...Blessings, Debbie
Tricia Anne says
Oh yum. I can smell them from here. ;o)
I will need to try this recipe when the weather cools off a little more. :o)
Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne
Cynthia @An Accomplished Woman says
I agree completely with you. I love PW's blog, but her apple dumplings had too much butter. I need to make them again, maybe for the night before Thanksgiving.
Loretta says
Oh yes they look mighty good! I can just imagine how many calories were in the original recipe with 2 sticks of butter! I'll try making these for Ray. He loves anything with apples! Thanks for sharing! Hugs, Loretta
Lianne says
Lois, this looks DIVINE! Now I know what to do with these apples! Thanks for sharing!
SSG's Wife says
Thia looks so good! I will have to try the recipe!
Ronda says
Oh My Stars,
Gee that looks just sinfully yummy.
May I copy your recipe!!! Please!
Now I am hungry......thanks....LOL.
I wonder if I have any apples in my frig that I could cook up for breakfast.
Have a fab day!
Love & Prayers,
Ronda