Country Apple Dumplings

I absolutely adore making Country Apple Dumplings! This classic recipe includes tender, sweet apples wrapped in a buttery, flaky pastry and baked to golden perfection. The warm and comforting aroma of cinnamon and sugar fills the air as they bake in the oven, creating a irresistible treat that is perfect for any occasion. A drizzle of vanilla sauce or a scoop of ice cream on top takes these dumplings to the next level of deliciousness. Trust me, you won’t be able to resist these mouthwatering treats!

Ingredients

2 large Granny Smith apples – peeled cored, and cut into quarters
2 cans 10 ounces each refrigerated crescent roll dough – for wrapping the apples
1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter – melted, for the sauce
1 ½ cups granulated sugar – for the sauce
1 teaspoon vanilla extract – adds flavor to the sauceurn:uuid:ba3620ef-84bd-4a8b-8e1e-8f6b8bffaaf2
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon – for sprinkling on top
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg – for the sauce optional for added spice
1 can 12 fluid ounces or 1 ½ cups of Mountain Dew OR a similar citrus soda – helps to create a sweet and tangy sauce

Instructions

Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Apples: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Peel, core, and quarter your apples. This will be the heart of your dumplings, so make sure the apple pieces are nicely prepared.
Wrap the Apples in Dough: Open the cans of crescent roll dough and separate the triangles. Place an apple quarter on the wide end of each triangle, then roll the dough tightly around the apple. Pinch the edges to seal. Place the wrapped apples in a 9×13 inch baking dish, making sure they are not touching.
Make the Cinnamon-Sugar Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg (if using). Keep stirring until the mixture is well combined and the sugar has mostly dissolved. Pour this sweet, spicy sauce evenly over the wrapped apples in the baking dish.
Add the Citrus Soda: Pour the Mountain Dew around the edges of the wrapped apples. This will add a unique tanginess to the dish and help create a syrupy sauce as the dumplings bake.
Bake the Dumplings: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the dumplings are golden brown and the sauce is bubbly. Halfway through the baking process, you might want to spoon some of the sauce over the dumplings to ensure they’re evenly coated.
Serving: Allow the dumplings to cool slightly before serving. They are best enjoyed warm, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on top for an extra indulgent treat.