Apple Dumplings

These easy Mountain Dew Apple Dumplings are out of this world delicious! No one will ever suspect that the secret ingredient is a can of soda.

For a delicious twist, try my Peach Dumplings recipe. Same easy recipe, with a peachy twist! Or give our fried apples a try for dessert. They’re also delicious on top of some homemade waffles.

Mountain Dew {Secret Ingredient}

Some recipes sound just crazy enough to work. Such is the case with this insanely good Apple Dumpling recipe.

Soda isn’t something I keep around the house these days (as a recovering Diet Coke addict!) but it sure can be handy when it comes to baking (have you tried this Coca Cola Cake yet??).

It adds one-step sweetness and flavor, like in this Cherry 7 Up Pound Cake. The carbonation works as a leavening agent in a pinch for many baked goods.

Many years ago I first saw a recipe for Mountain Dew Dumplings, I was intrigued. Rather than putting soda in any kind of batter or dough, you actually pour it around the edges of the dumplings as they bake!

It creates a sweet and syrupy bed for the apple dumplings that works perfectly with the spiced apples wrapped in flaky dough.

Easy Apple Dumplings

I’ve made plenty of apple desserts in my time. There’s not a lot I wouldn’t do for a slice of Apple Pie or Apple Cinnamon Bread. But I can’t recall having made apple dumplings before.

Dumplings like this are an old fashioned, down home dessert. Chances are good your grandmother used to make them. . . and that her grandmother probably made them too!

A buttery crust surrounds sweet apples that melt in your mouth, made even better with the lightest touch of cinnamon. They’re typically served with a generous amount of thick, caramel-y sauce and I don’t think anyone would turn down a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.

In fact, I demand it!

If you’re looking for an easy apple dumpling recipe, stop right here and try the one I’m sharing today!

Using quick hacks like my trust refrigerated crescent roll dough and a cup of Mountain Dew, you probably have everything you need to whip up a batch today!

The sauce. The sauce in this recipe deserves a shout out. It’s simple–just butter, sugar and vanilla, mixed on the stove then poured over the crescent-wrapped apples.

And sometimes the simplest things are the best! As the dumplings baked the sauce formed a sugary glaze over every dumpling. The addition of the Mountain Dew to the edges of the pan turned the syrup into liquid gold.

Believe me when I say, you need to try this dessert recipe!

Ingredient Notes

This recipe was originally taken from the Pioneer Woman Apple Dumplings. I loved it so much I just had to share it with all of you!

You only need 7 ingredients to make Mountain Dew Apple Dumplings:

• Granny smith apples
• Butter
• Sugar
• Crescent roll dough
• Cinnamon
• Vanilla
• Mountain Dew

How to Make Pioneer Woman Apple Dumplings

Only a few easy steps required to make these Mountain Dew Apple Dumplings!

STEP 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter 13×9-inch baking dish with 2 Tbsp butter. Set aside.

STEP 2. Peel and core granny smith apples. Cut each apple into 8 slices. Roll one apple slice in one crescent roll. Place in the buttered baking dish.

STEP 3. In a small saucepan, melt 1 cup butter with sugar. Barely stirring, remove from heat when butter is melted. Remove from heat and add vanilla extract.

STEP 4. Pour over crescent rolls. Then pour the 1 cup of Mountain Dew around the edges of the pan ONLY. Sprinkle with cinnamon.

STEP 5. Bake for 40-45 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the rolls are completely cooked.

Serve warm, and don’t forget to spoon some of that sauce from the pan over the top!

Tips and Tricks

• Mountain Dew Apple Dumplings are good on their own, but they’re even better with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or homemade whipped cream on top!
• Make sure not to pour any Mountain Dew on the dumplings themselves. Stick to the sides of the pan so you don’t get the dough soggy. If liquid gets on top of the crescent dough it won’t brown and will turn into a mushy mess. . . but a tasty mushy mess at least.
• Use REAL Mountain Dew here! In a pinch a can of Sprite will work. Just don’t choose diet soda!
• Don’t use a pan smaller than 9 x 13. The dumplings need just a little room to breath to be at their best!

More Apple Dessert Recipes

• Apple Cream Cheese Tart
• Apple Hand Pies
• Dutch Apple Pie
• Apple Cheesecake Danish
• Instant Pot Apple Cake

Soft Apple dumpling bottoms with a golden brown top and a rich sauce are an indulgence everyone needs from time to time. Add some ice cream and you have a dessert that’ll have everyone coming back for seconds!