Easy Apple Dumplings

These deliciously easy Apple Dumplings are made with fresh apples and crescent roll dough, and are baked to perfection with cinnamon, butter, and a splash of soda for the ultimate fall dessert recipe.

Apple dumpling on plate.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure.

Apple dumplings are one of those desserts that take me straight back to my mom’s kitchen, watching her carefully wrap up those apples in crescent roll dough like she was creating little gifts of buttery, cinnamony magic. And there was something so comforting about the smell of them baking—almost like a warm hug straight from the oven. They’re warm, gooey, and wrapped up in flakey pastry goodness. 

Now, if you’ve made apple dumplings before, you might notice my recipe has a bit of a different ingredient — Sprite! That’s right, I use Sprite instead of the Mountain Dew you’ll find in many other apple dumpling recipes. But why soda in the first place? And what if you’re not in the mood for apples? I’ve got y’all covered.

Easy Apple Dumplings in baking dish.

Why Add Soda to Apple Dumplings?

You might be thinking, “Soda in a dessert? What’s the deal?” I promise there’s a method to the madness!

The soda helps create a magical sauce as it combines with the butter and sugar. It thickens up and coats the dumplings, giving them that irresistible sweet and syrupy finish we all love. The carbonation helps to lighten the texture a bit, so the dumplings don’t get too dense. And using Sprite gives the recipe that same bubbly magic without adding an overwhelming flavor like some folks feel Mountain Dew does. Plus, let’s be honest, Sprite’s just more my speed! 

Some folks like to experiment with other sodas, but I find Sprite has that perfect balance of sweetness without stealing the show from the real stars: those warm, cinnamon-kissed apples.

Easy Apple Dumplings in baking dish.

Sprite Swap

Apple Juice or Apple Cider: These are excellent options that bring even more apple flavor to the dish. Apple cider, in particular, adds a little tang and richness. You won’t get the bubbly action like you do with soda, but the flavor boost more than makes up for it.

Ginger Ale: If you still want the carbonation but with a different flavor profile, ginger ale is a good option. It has a bit of spice from the ginger, which plays really nicely with the cinnamon and apples.

Club Soda or Seltzer Water: These are great if you want to keep the carbonation but don’t want any added sweetness or flavor. You’ll still get the light texture and bubbly effect, but without changing the taste of the dumplings.

Lemon-Lime Soda (Different Brand): If you’re just not into Sprite but still want that lemon-lime zing, you can go with any other lemon-lime soda brand like 7-UP, Mountain Dew, Squirt, or even Fresca. The effect will be pretty similar, but sometimes it’s fun to try a different flavor.

Orange Soda: For something a little more adventurous, try orange soda. It’ll give the sauce a citrusy twist and pair surprisingly well with the apples and cinnamon. It’s a bit more of a flavor bomb, but it’s a fun change!

Apple dumpling on plate with bite missing.

Best Apples for Apple Dumplings

The best apples for dumplings are ones that hold their shape and aren’t too sweet. Granny Smith apples are a go-to because their tartness pairs perfectly with the sweet syrup, and they don’t turn into mush during baking. But if you prefer something sweeter, Honeycrisp or Braeburn can work, too!

In general, I’d steer clear of super-soft apples like Red Delicious or McIntosh for dumplings because they can get mushy and lose their shape when baked. 

Want to Switch It Up? Try These Fruits Instead of Apples!

Feeling a little adventurous? You don’t have to stick to apples! While classic apple dumplings are a crowd-pleaser, sometimes you just want to mix things up. Here are a few fruits you can try in place of apples:

  • Pears: These are an easy swap for apples. They bake up nice and soft, and that subtle flavor pairs beautifully with the cinnamon and sugar. Just make sure they’re firm, not overripe, so they hold up in the baking process.
  • Peaches: Oh yes, peach dumplings are a real thing! They add a sweet, summery twist to the recipe. Just be ready for a softer texture since peaches break down more than apples do.
  • Plums: These little guys can give your dumplings a fun, slightly tart twist. They’re also gorgeous when baked!
  • Berries: Want something even bolder? Go for mixed berries! Raspberries, blackberries, or blueberries will add a burst of color and flavor. Just be aware, they may make the filling a bit juicier, so you might need to cut back on the soda to avoid a soupy situation.
  • Combinations: Why stop at one fruit? Mixing apples with any of these can create a unique combo that’s all your own. Apple and pear dumplings? Yes, please!
Easy Apple Dumplings in baking dish.

What’s the best way to serve these?

You really can’t go wrong here. A big scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream is a favorite for many. The contrast of the cold ice cream with the warm dumplings is a dessert dream come true.

How do I store leftover apple dumplings?

If you have any leftovers (which might be rare!), just pop them in an airtight container and store them in the fridge. They should be good for 2-3 days. To reheat, you can toss them in the microwave. But for the best results, rewarm them in the oven so the crescent rolls don’t get too soggy.

Scooping apple dumpling out of dish.

Wrapping it Up (Pun Intended)

No matter how you slice it (literally), this apple dumpling recipe is a keeper. Whether you stick with apples or try something new, and whether you’re a Sprite devotee like me or prefer another soda, the end result is a warm, comforting dessert that’s just begging to be shared.

Scooping apple dumpling out of dish.

Apple Dumplings

4.96 from 21 votes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 8 dumplings
Calories: 299kcal
Print Pin Rate

Ingredients

  • 1 firm, tart apple like Granny Smith
  • 1 (8-ounce) refrigerated crescent roll dough 8-count
  • ½ cup unsalted butter melted
  • ¾ cups sugar
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 6 oz Sprite

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly spray an 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Core and peel apple into eight slices. (I used one of these handy little apple slicers and got the job done in one whack.)
  • Open can of crescent rolls and unroll. Place one apple slice on the wide end of one crescent and roll it up in the crescent.
  • Place into the prepared dish. Continue with other rolls.
  • In a small bowl combine melted butter, sugar, cinnamon, and flour and mix until just combined.
  • Spoon over each crescent.
  • Pour Sprite into the empty space in the middle of pan between the dumplings.
  • Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until dumplings are golden brown.
  • Serve warm with fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Nutrition

Calories: 299kcal · Carbohydrates: 37g · Protein: 1g · Fat: 18g · Saturated Fat: 10g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g · Monounsaturated Fat: 4g · Trans Fat: 0.5g · Cholesterol: 31mg · Sodium: 227mg · Potassium: 30mg · Fiber: 1g · Sugar: 26g · Vitamin A: 367IU · Vitamin C: 1mg · Calcium: 7mg · Iron: 0.5mg

* If nutritional values are provided, they are an estimate and will vary depending on the brands used. The values do not include optional ingredients or when ingredients are added to taste. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, I recommend grabbing your favorite brands and plugging those ingredients into an online nutritional calculator.

Supper Made Simple Cookbook

Add a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




The maximum upload file size: 5 MB. You can upload: image. Drop file here

174 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I adore this recipe. Lost mine years ago. Hard to believe I couldn’t remember how to make them, lol.

    Thank you for bringing this back to my table.

  2. I am always excited to find a recipe of yours in my emails. Southern foods of all kinds and I love to try all of your recipes.

  3. 5 stars
    I have made this recipe (from Stacy) for a coupe of years and it is not only delicious but is easy to make and impresses everyone! Delicious any time of the year but for Fall season…stellar!

  4. 4 stars
    very nice recipe.. love the southern cooking.. thanks so much..I will continue to try more. since this one was so easy..

  5. 5 stars
    These are so easy to create and are loved by everyone, I even switched the apples out for peaches, which was also fantastic

  6. Wonderful recipe. I have used apples, peaches, pears and even sweet potatoes to make these dumplings. The only changes I have made is to split the sugar with half brown and half white sugars, and used apple pie or pumpkin pie spice instead of cinnamon. Ginger ale or apple juice are good substitutes if you don’t have Sprite on hand.

  7. 5 stars
    Made these exactly by your instructions. I used Honeycrisp apples. Everyone loved them & several wanted the recipe. Another WIN! Thanks!

  8. 5 stars
    We don’t keep or drink soda except for ginger ale (queasy stomach helper) so that’s what I used, the dumplings came out extremely tasty. I understand, though, it’s the carbonation that enhances the recipe making the dough lighter. If this is the case, could one use simple carbonated water? Much healthier than soda.
    Thanks.

    1. Glad you enjoyed them! I’ve not tested it with carbonated water, but I’d imagine it could work for a lower sugar option. You could also use diet soda.

  9. Absolutely delicious! I had a real hankering for apple dumplings and found your recipe. Easy peasy! Definitely a keeper 😊

  10. 5 stars
    These are very easy to make and delicious. Had never made any with flour in the recipe, but it thickened the filling very nicely.

    1. Great question! The texture can definitely vary depending on the apple variety. Some, like McIntosh, tend to soften more when cooked, while others, like Granny Smith, hold their shape better. If you’re looking for something soft, I’d recommend going with a variety known for that texture. Hope that helps!

  11. 5 stars
    This recipe is so easy and delicious! It would be a great recipe to make with the kids. I like that little mess is made in the kitchen during the process. This is a keeper.

    1. Thank you for the sweet comment! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe. It’s definitely a fun one to make with the kids—easy, tasty, and minimal mess is always a win in my book. So happy it’s a keeper for you!

      1. 5 stars
        Oh my heavenly (five) stars! These little guys are to die for! I had never had apple dumplings prior to now, but good golly Miss Molly I do believe I’ve found my new favorite dessert! This recipe is indeed a keeper! I’ve used honeycrisp and Envy apples and both batches turned out magnificently. I also did a blend of white sugar and dark brown sugar and added half of a teaspoon of vanilla extract to it, and I’ve been so impressed with how delicious these things are both times! I bet these would taste even more amazing with some apple butter! Thank you for sharing this heavenly recipe with us! 😊

      2. Hey Cody! I’m so glad to hear you loved the apple dumplings! It sounds like you nailed the recipe with those honeycrisp and Envy apples, plus your sugar blend and vanilla extract are great touches. Apple butter would definitely be a tasty addition! Thanks for sharing your experience, and happy baking!

  12. follow-up note: my 12 year old granddaughter is now making these with her family. She grabbed one of her brother’s Mountain Dew sodas last bake and she assures me they came out great.

  13. 5 stars
    I have been making these as per your recipe, and we always enjoy them, but now you have given me so many more options. A BIG THANK YOU, from Calgary in western Canada!

    1. Glad to hear you’ve enjoyed this one and are feeling inspired to try other fruit! Hope you enjoy those, too, Bryan!

  14. I haven’t made this yet, but it looks delicious!! Can I substitute diet sprite? I love your recipes and the stories that go along with each recipe !

    1. Diet sprite should work just fine. You might find the sauce a little thinner, but still delicious, I’m sure. Enjoy!

  15. Stacey, this recipe has become a tradition with the grandkids. We have a book we’ve read for years, kind of a fable like stone soup, but you wind up making a pie after each person added an ingredient. We used to have Apple Pie Day and read our book. Well, after trying your apple dumpling recipe it has officially become Apple Dumpling Day. It’s a great one to get the kids involved and they just devoured them! Thanks for everything you do for us, Stacey.

  16. I tried this recipe . It was too sweet and lacked a little flavor, next time I’ll add vanilla, more cinnamon and nutmeg. Oh, and cut back on some of the sugar

  17. 5 stars
    I love, love, love this recipe! Quick, easy and oh so tasty!!!! Perfect breakfast with coffee and excellent desert with vanilla ice cream! Warning! If you plan on having them for desert, don’t make them early. They smell and look so delightful that you’ll end up empty handed with a scoop of ice cream and pan drippings if you’re lucky. It is pan scraping good!!!

  18. 5 stars
    This turned out even better than I expected. It was so fast and easy to make and everyone wanted seconds. Loved that it was warm and gooey but crispy on top. This is now one of my favorite apple desserts.

  19. 5 stars
    I try to make everything Stacey posts. I just made the Apple Dumplings for a church social tomorrow. Dare I say they turned out HEAVENLY! Not but one problem and that is how do I resist eating some of them until the members at church have at least a fighting chance to get to them first? Oh Stacey! My YUM factor just went up five notches!

  20. 5 stars
    I have made these many times and my hubby loves them! He wanted me to make them for when his folks came to visit and I forgot to get some apples but, I did have local grown Asian Pears and decided to use those. OMGOSH! They were phenomenal.

    My father in law always likes my cooking but my mother in law never makes a comment. This time she asked how to make them. The hubby told her it was an old secret family recipe and that I could not share it. 🙂

    So wonderful.

    I did make the day before and stored it in the fridge covered and then added the Sprite right before putting in the oven.

  21. Pingback: Recipe Round Up - Dee's Doorstep
  22. 5 stars
    Let me just start out by saying that I rarely leave reviews on recipe pages. But this recipe…y’all. Perfection. I believe I found it four years ago, and it has 100% become a staple in our house every fall. It is DELICIOUS. I have made it for so many friends and family, and everyone always raves over it. Thanks so much for sharing this magical deliciousness! 🙂

    1. Nothing makes me happier than reading posts like this. Thanks so much, Chelsey! I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed these so much!

  23. I wonder how many calories each one of these has? Oh well, they sure look good! I’ll make them just to see how they turn out.

  24. Oh my goodness, I tried this recipe with Apples, peaches, strawberries and Sweet potatoes my family enjoy them very much, which one the best I cannot answer .Thanks for sharing .

  25. ihave made these dumplings twice in the last two weeks. I’m also making them this Sunday for a church dinner,I have to double the recipe.thanks so much for sharing.

  26. any thoughts on a substitute for the Sprite? I can’t use anything with high fructose corn syrup. Would apple cider work, or is the carbonation important? Thanks!!

  27. Hey all, they sound so fab and easy and I really want to try them but sorry; what is a crescent?? Is it ready puff pastry?.. Many thanks everyone :).

  28. My son made these once and Everyone liked them so much he has to make them now every time he Comes home to visit!!! Delish!!!!

  29. hi…i’m drolling just to see this fabulous recipe, and im tempted to make it….but i wonder about the sprite….what do u mean sprite? the beberage??and also…where i live i dont have the crescent rolled dough…can i make my own pie dough and use it instead??

  30. thanks for sharing!..they look delicious and i just happen to have crescent rolls and apples i need to do something with…we dont do dessert much anymore but we have to try these..i’m a little worried about the crescent rolls being gooey but i’m gonna trust y’all

  31. I have made these several times but switched them up to make sugar free for my diabetic parents. I use diet soda and coconut oil and coconut sugar. also have made them using peaches and pears. great recipe!!!

  32. Just made these for a potluck tonight! They are in the oven and they smell so good! I added a touch of vanilla to the sugar mix, so I hope it still tastes as wonderful as everyone says, and I used apple pie spice instead of just cinnamon! Thanks for the recipe!

  33. Making these for work in the morning…would it be okay to make up the apple crescents tonight then pour liquid on in the morning and bake?

      1. These are Quick, Easy and Fun!! Baked a second batch today and yes the 7Up worked great:) I also cut the sugar by a quarter cup and it turned out just as good as the first batch.

      2. I CANT WAIT TO TRY THIS FOR MY FAMILY BUT DONT HAVE MUCH TIME TO DO IT SUNDAY SINCE I HAVE CHURCH AND WORK, SO I WAS WONDERING IS THERE A WAY I CAN PREPARE THESE THE NIGHT BEFORE?

      1. My dumplings were left out on the counter covered after baking and by accident were not put in the refrigerator……would they still be ok?

  34. Made these for a party last night. What a big hit!! I was going to double it so I did double the butter, etc. But then used tree apples and three pkges cresents. Still wonderful and from what people said not too sweet. Will definitely make these again and again.

    1. Either salted to unsalted will work, but normally when I don’t specify I mean unsalted. And it should be real butter.

  35. When I made these I did not have sprite so i substituted it with Martinelli’s Sparkling Cider and it tastes just as good, if not better!

  36. They look delicious! But in Australia we don’t have crescent roll in a tube! What kind of pastry is it? What is a crescent roll? We have different frozen pastry sheets ie puff, short, phillo.

    1. This is something like a croissant but more dense and not as flaky. I’m not sure there’s a good substitute for it unfortunately.

  37. THIS WAS SO EASY AND DELICIOUS AND AMAZING, I AM SO GLAD I CAME UPON THIS RECIPE I WILL BE MAKING THIS AGAIN!

  38. I made these many times. This time I tried something different. I added a slice of brie to the top when they came out of the oven. They we anazing.

  39. Made these this weekend and they were wonderful. The best apple dumplings I have made. So easy and sooooo good…you can’t beat that combo!!

  40. I just made these tonight with our apples from the orchard!! Everyone loved them! Great recipe and so quick and easy! Thank You!

  41. Would it work to cut and roll the apples the night before, use press n seal and add liquid the next morning and bake?

  42. These sound amazing and simple to make. I have a apple crisp recipe that my family loves, but this would be much quicker to make in a pinch. Do you prefer the Great Value crescent rolls over Pillsbury? I’ve only ever used Pillsbury, out of habit, but I would have no issue switching if the GV brand is flakier/tastier. They appear to be flakier based on how they look in your pictures. Is there a noticeable difference between the two brands, in your opinion?

    Pink Lady apples are my absolute favorite apples to bake with! They provide the perfect flavor and texture in the end product, in my opinion. 😀

      1. Okay, thanks. I made these last night and they were delicious! I saw someone mention that they cut the apples in fourths. I’m going to try that next time to see if I like it better with more apple in each dumpling.

      2. Had to share. My husband came home from work yesterday and asked if there were any more of those “apple things” left over. I said, “You mean the apple dumplings?” He said, “Yeah…..those things….hubba hubba!” Oh my gosh, I was laughing so hard! He REALLY likes them.

        I also made the stuffed mushrooms from your cookbook. OH MY GOSH! I tried to find them here in order to leave feed back for those, but didn’t see them. So, I’m assuming they are only in your cookbook. Well, we’ve tried several stuffed mushroom recipes over the years trying to find one that could be our go-to stuffed mushroom recipe, and every recipe we’ve tried over the years fell short in one way or another – just didn’t quite hit the spot. We were all drooling over these, and the recipe was immediately requested. My husband shouted out a claim for the last mushroom before they disappeared because we all kept reaching for “just one more”. Our taste buds were dancing while eating these amazing morsels of food! I am so happy to have found ‘our’ go-to stuffed mushroom recipe…finally. Thank you.

      3. Ha! That’s hilarious! It just makes me grin to know you made him such a happy man with my recipe!

        As for the mushrooms, you’re right. That recipe is only in the book. Aren’t they delicious!?!? I love being anyone’s go-to for stuff like this so I’m just tickled y’all have found a recipe that you love – and that it’s my recipe! Ha! Y’all enjoy!

  43. I am wondering if you can use like cherry pie filling and replace sprite with cherry coke or pepsi……just a thought.

    I love just about anything with dumplings. So I will be trying this soon.

    Tammy

  44. This is really awesome!! Thanks for sharing this recipe:) My husband loved it! I have to say this is one of the best and easiest apple recipes I’ve found. Now,I didn’t have any sprite around so I used Vanilla Coke but it still tasted amazing. I will use sprite next time. Thank you again!!

  45. I made this recipe this afternoon for my little brother who was craving apple dumplings. The only difference was that I made 4 packs of crescent rolls but only doubled the wet mixture. I n addition, I used half brown sugar/half white sugar. Here’s the big kicker. I didnt have any mountain dew or sprite in the house, but I found a bottle of Angry Orchard Crisp Apple Apple Beer and I used that instead…OMG, super delicious!!

  46. I MADE THESE DUMPLINGS HIS WEKK AND THEY ARE DELICIOUS! THANKS STACEY,FOR YOUR AWESOME WEBSITE AND RECIPES! BLESISNGS!

  47. I’ve made this recipe using Mt. Dew and it is wonderful. However last night I needed something a bit less gooey so I just rolled the apple slices in cinnamon/sugar and placed it on the dough with a little pat of butter and rolled them up. Baked them for about 15 min. They were just right and didn’t require silverware. These could go in a lunch box.

  48. I’ve been making these for years. My sauce calls for Mountain Dew, but does not have flour in it. These are the easiest and most requested fall recipe I make …besides my pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting.

    1. Can I have your pumpkin bar recipe with cream cheese frosting please!!!! My hubby loves pumpkin anything!!!!! Lol

  49. I have made these numerous times but your way is easier. I was putting “squeeze” Parkay inside the crescent, rolling each apple piece in sugar/cinnamon before rolling up then putting the Parkay on top of each roll and sprinkling sugar & cinnamon over top. Also, I use Mello Yello but I have also seen other recipes with OJ. I have made them with peaches as well and my husband is asking me to try blueberry pie filling and other trials. I’m sure they will all be delicious, just a little messier than the apples. I’m with you, I had just about written off apple recipes other than fried pies but this is really good!!

      1. I think fresh blueberries would be fine, but I wouldn’t use a blueberry pie filling. Let me know how they turn out. 🙂

  50. These are different than my mother made, but seem to be more appropriately portioned. Mom used whole peeled and cored apples wrapped in pie crust while these are apple slices wrapped in crescent rolls. Otherwise, the concept is the same. Well, and she used a spiced sugar-water syrup and this uses Sprite to create that.

    What exactly does the sprite do that a water syrup won’t?

    If this posts twice, I apologize. It said my request had timed out.

    1. I’m not sure that it would make a whole lot of difference, Wendy. The carbonation may yield a lighter texture, but that’s all I can imagine that it would change.

      1. The sprite also just makes one less step, you do not have to make the simple syrup. That increases the appeal to many people that just want the recipe to be as simple as possible. This one is simple and yummy.

  51. I made these dumplings last night and they were awesome! I love your website and want to thank you for sharing your recipes.

  52. I finally got the opportunity to make these today. All I can say is “amazing!” this is such a simple and delicious recipe. Thanks for sharing this.

  53. These we awesome! Must admit i was apprehensive when they went the oven, but boy did that change when they came out! Thanks for another keeper recipe & Merry Christmas!

      1. These apple dumplings look heavenly and I’d like to make them. I’m Canadian so please tell me how much is 1 stick of butter? Thank you for your great food site.

  54. These are so easy and I too get rave reviews. Mine have a little twist by using Mt. Dew Code Red instead of Sprite. I quarter the apples for more apple in each bite so I’d use 2 apples instead of one. Any way you do it makes a quick and simple but elegant tasting dessert.

    1. Greg, how did you see these done? I have never even heard of these, so I want to try them. If you have another way, I would also like to try your way too.
      Thanks Emma

  55. I have made this 4 times in the past and everytime I make it, everyone wants the recipe. They are beyond yummilicious!!!!!!! LOVE them