Description
Delight in these warm and gooey Caramel Apple Dumplings, a perfect fall dessert featuring tart Granny Smith apples wrapped in flaky crescent roll dough, baked to golden perfection and smothered in a luscious caramel sauce. This easy-to-make treat combines sweet and spicy flavors with a hint of vanilla, delivering a comforting finish to any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Apple Dumplings
- 2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 8 wedges
- 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup apple cider (or lemon-lime soda)
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce, plus more for serving
For Serving (Optional)
- Vanilla ice cream
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Prepare the apples: Peel and core the Granny Smith apples, then cut each apple into 4 equal wedges, yielding a total of 8 slices.
- Wrap the apples: Unroll the crescent dough and separate it into 8 triangles. Wrap each apple wedge in a crescent roll triangle, beginning at the wide end of the dough and rolling towards the point to fully encase the apple slice.
- Arrange in baking dish: Place each wrapped apple wedge, or dumpling, seam side down into the greased baking dish, evenly spaced.
- Make the sugar mixture: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and vanilla extract, mixing well to blend the flavors.
- Add sugars and liquids: Pour the sugar and butter mixture evenly over the dumplings, ensuring each is well coated. Next, carefully pour the apple cider or lemon-lime soda around the edges of the dumplings in the dish—avoid pouring directly on top to keep the coating intact.
- Top with caramel: Drizzle the 1/2 cup caramel sauce evenly over the dumplings for a rich, buttery sweetness that caramelizes during baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the crescent rolls are golden brown, the sauce bubbles, and the apples are tender.
- Serve warm: Allow the dumplings to cool slightly before serving. For an indulgent treat, serve with extra caramel sauce and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Notes
- For a less sweet option, reduce the total sugar by 1/4 cup.
- Substitute homemade pie dough for crescent roll dough for a more rustic texture.
- Use lemon-lime soda as a substitute for apple cider if desired for a slightly different flavor profile.
- Ensure apple slices are evenly sized for uniform baking.
- Serve immediately for best texture, as the crescent dough may soften if left too long.
