These 5-ingredient Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings are a simple yet delicious treat. Made with refrigerated crescent rolls, apple pie filling, butter, brown sugar, and a surprising splash of lemon-lime soda, this dessert is quick to prepare and perfect for family gatherings or a cozy night in. The fizzy soda combined with the sweet apple and buttery brown sugar creates an irresistible flavor that’s sure to be a hit!
Full Recipe:
Ingredients
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2 cans (8oz each) refrigerated crescent rolls
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1 can (20oz) apple pie filling
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1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
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1 cup brown sugar
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1 can lemon-lime soda
Directions
Preparation:
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick cooking spray.
Assembling the Dumplings:
2. Unroll the crescent rolls and separate into the pre-cut triangles.
3. Place a spoonful of apple pie filling on the wider end of each crescent triangle.
4. Roll the dough tightly, sealing the apple filling inside, and place each filled crescent roll in the prepared baking dish.
Making the Topping:
5. In a separate bowl, mix the unsalted butter and brown sugar until smooth.
6. Place a teaspoon of the butter and sugar mixture on top of each crescent roll.
7. Pour the lemon-lime soda around (but not directly over) the crescent rolls in the baking dish.
Baking:
8. Bake for 35–40 minutes or until the dumplings are golden brown.
Serving:
9. Serve warm, optionally topped with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for a heavenly dessert experience.
Nutrients
(Nutritional estimates per serving; values may vary)
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Calories: ~250
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Fat: ~14g
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Saturated Fat: ~8g
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Carbohydrates: ~30g
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Sugars: ~22g
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Protein: ~1g
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Fiber: ~1g
Why These Apple Dumplings Are So Delicious
What makes these Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings truly special is their ease of preparation combined with their irresistible flavor. The crescent roll dough acts as the perfect vessel for the sweet apple filling, baking into a buttery, crisp layer around the apples. The fizzy lemon-lime soda is the unexpected star of the dish—it’s poured around the dumplings before baking, and as it bakes, it creates a sweet, syrupy sauce that infuses the crescent rolls with extra flavor and moisture.
The apple pie filling provides a deliciously sweet, cinnamon-spiced base, while the buttery brown sugar topping caramelizes as it bakes, creating a rich and indulgent flavor. The result is a dessert that’s perfectly balanced—sweet, buttery, and with just the right amount of cinnamon and spice to keep you coming back for more.
The Key Ingredients for Success
Here’s a breakdown of the five key ingredients that make this dessert so delicious:
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Crescent Rolls: The refrigerated crescent rolls serve as the base for this dessert, offering a buttery, flaky texture when baked. They’re easy to work with and create a perfect vessel for the apple filling.
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Apple Pie Filling: Pre-made apple pie filling is the shortcut to flavor in this recipe. It’s packed with tender apples, cinnamon, and sugar, which makes for a perfectly spiced filling without the need for extra preparation.
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Unsalted Butter: Butter provides richness and helps the brown sugar melt beautifully to form a gooey topping. It also adds a delicious flavor to the crescent rolls as they bake.
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Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds both sweetness and depth to the dish, giving it a rich caramelized flavor. It pairs perfectly with the apples and creates a sweet, sticky sauce on top of the dumplings.
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Lemon-Lime Soda: The lemon-lime soda is the secret ingredient that adds both sweetness and moisture to the dessert. When poured around the dumplings, it bubbles up and creates a sugary syrup that bathes the crescent rolls as they bake, making them even more flavorful.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings
Making these Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings is quick and simple. Here’s how to prepare this delightful dessert:
Preparation
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick cooking spray to ensure the dumplings don’t stick to the pan as they bake.
Assembling the Dumplings
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Unroll the crescent rolls and separate them into the pre-cut triangles.
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Spoon a generous amount of apple pie filling onto the wider end of each crescent triangle. Be careful not to overstuff the rolls to prevent spilling during baking.
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Starting from the wide end, carefully roll the dough tightly around the apple filling, sealing the apples inside the crescent dough. Arrange each filled crescent roll in the prepared baking dish.
Making the Topping
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In a separate bowl, combine the unsalted butter and brown sugar. Mix them together until smooth and well-combined. This mixture will serve as a rich topping for each dumpling.
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Place about one teaspoon of the butter and brown sugar mixture on top of each crescent roll. The sugar and butter will melt and form a beautiful caramelized topping as they bake.
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Pour the lemon-lime soda around, but not directly over, the crescent rolls in the baking dish. The soda will bubble up as it bakes and create a sugary sauce that soaks into the rolls, enhancing the flavor and texture.
Baking
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Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35–40 minutes or until the dumplings are golden brown and the syrup has thickened slightly.
Serving
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Once the dumplings are done, allow them to cool slightly before serving. These apple dumplings are best served warm, either on their own or with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.
Why These Apple Dumplings Are Perfect for Any Occasion
These Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings are incredibly versatile, making them ideal for many different occasions:
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Family Gatherings: With their simple ingredients and minimal prep time, they’re a great option for family dinners, gatherings, or potlucks. The ease of preparation means you can focus on other parts of the meal while still serving a delicious dessert.
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Cozy Night In: These dumplings are the ultimate comfort food. Serve them on a chilly evening for a warm and satisfying treat that everyone will love.
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Holiday or Special Occasions: These apple dumplings are a great choice for holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any celebration that calls for a sweet and comforting dessert. Their nostalgic flavors will remind everyone of homemade apple pie but with much less effort.
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Last-Minute Dessert: If you’re short on time but still want to make something impressive, this dessert is perfect. It only takes about 10 minutes to prepare, and the rest of the work is done by the oven.
Serving Suggestions for Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings
While these apple dumplings are delicious on their own, there are a few optional toppings that can take them to the next level:
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Whipped Cream: A dollop of fluffy whipped cream is the perfect light accompaniment to the warm, sweet dumplings. It adds a touch of creaminess without overpowering the dessert.
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Vanilla Ice Cream: For an extra indulgent treat, serve the dumplings with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The contrast of the warm, sticky dumplings with the cold, creamy ice cream is irresistible.
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Caramel Sauce: Drizzle some warm caramel sauce over the dumplings for an added layer of richness and flavor.
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Cinnamon Sugar: For a hint of extra spice, sprinkle a little cinnamon sugar over the dumplings before serving.
Conclusion: A Simple Yet Irresistible Dessert
These 5-Ingredient Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings are a quick and easy way to create a warm, comforting dessert that everyone will love. The combination of flaky crescent rolls, sweet apple pie filling, buttery brown sugar, and fizzy lemon-lime soda creates a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Whether you’re looking for a simple weeknight treat or a show-stopping dessert for a gathering, these apple dumplings are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. With minimal ingredients and effort, you can create a dessert that tastes just as good as it looks!