Introduction
Pioneer Woman’s Apple Dumplings are the perfect blend of sweet and tart, with a soft, flaky crust that envelops tender apples.
This easy-to-make dessert is sure to become a family favorite, as it combines the warmth of baked apples with a sugary, buttery syrup that turns golden brown as it bakes.
The use of lemon-lime soda in the syrup is a secret ingredient that adds a delightful effervescence and a subtle citrus note, elevating the whole dessert.
Ingredients
1 large apple (Fuji, Granny Smith, or Honeycrisp) – Tart apples work best as they contrast beautifully with the sweet syrup.
1 can Pillsbury Crescent Dough – Creates a soft, flaky dumpling crust that bakes to golden perfection.
1/2 cup butter – Adds rich, buttery goodness to the syrup.
2/3 cup sugar – Sweetens the dumplings and caramelizes during baking.
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon – Enhances the warm, comforting flavor of the dish.
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract – Adds depth and enhances the overall taste.
3/4 cup (6 oz) 7-Up or similar lemon-lime soda – The carbonation helps create a light, bubbly syrup while adding subtle citrus notes.
Instructions
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats up, peel, core, and slice the apple into wedges. Set them aside.
Next, take the can of Pillsbury Crescent Dough and unroll it. You’ll need to separate the dough into individual triangles.
Place one apple wedge at the wide end of each triangle and then roll the dough around the apple.
starting from the wide edge and working your way to the point. Be sure to pinch the seams to seal them.
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract, stirring to combine.
Let this mixture simmer for a few minutes until the sugar dissolves and the syrup becomes smooth and bubbly.
Pour the butter and sugar syrup over the dumplings that you’ve arranged in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
Next, pour the lemon-lime soda around the edges of the dumplings, making sure the syrup stays over the dumplings.
Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for about 35-40 minutes, or until the dumplings are golden brown and the syrup is bubbling around the edges.
You can spoon some of the syrup over the dumplings halfway through baking to ensure they get fully coated.
Once the dumplings are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat.
How to Make
Begin by prepping your apples. Peel, core, and slice them into wedges, keeping the slices about 1/4-inch thick.
This ensures that the apples cook evenly and stay tender inside the dumplings.
Next, open the can of Pillsbury Crescent Dough and separate the triangles. Lay an apple wedge at the wide end of each dough triangle.
Carefully roll the dough around the apple, starting from the wide end, and seal the edges so the filling stays inside.
In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract.
Let the mixture simmer gently, allowing the sugar to dissolve and the syrup to thicken a bit. Once it’s ready, pour this syrup over the dumplings in a prepared baking dish.
Pour the lemon-lime soda around the edges of the dumplings, allowing it to mingle with the syrup but not covering the dumplings completely.
Bake the dumplings for 35-40 minutes, or until the dough is golden and the syrup is bubbling. During baking, spoon some syrup over the dumplings for extra flavor.
Once they’re baked, allow the dumplings to cool for a few minutes before serving. These warm dumplings are delicious on their own, or you can add a scoop of ice cream or a drizzle of caramel for extra indulgence.
Variations
If you prefer a slightly different twist on the flavor, try using a different type of apple, such as Gala or Braeburn. Each variety will add its unique sweetness or tartness, changing the balance of flavors slightly.
For an added crunch, sprinkle some chopped nuts, like pecans or walnuts, over the dumplings before baking. The nuts will toast and add texture to the dessert.
If you enjoy a spicier flavor, consider adding a pinch of ground ginger or nutmeg along with the cinnamon in the syrup. This will give the dish a more complex, warm flavor profile.
To make this dessert more decadent, you can drizzle a little caramel sauce over the dumplings just before serving.
The rich caramel complements the cinnamon-sugar flavor beautifully.
For a lower-sugar alternative, try using a sugar substitute or a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup in place of the sugar. Keep in mind that this may alter the final texture of the syrup slightly.
If you’d like to give the dumplings a more crispy texture, bake them on a baking sheet instead of a baking dish, ensuring they get evenly crisp on all sides.
For a unique take, use flavored soda, such as orange soda or even ginger ale, in place of the lemon-lime soda. This will infuse a new layer of flavor into the syrup.
Tips
Be sure to seal the edges of the crescent dough well around the apple slices so that the syrup doesn’t seep out during baking. A small pinch or press at the seams should do the trick.
If you’re not sure whether the dumplings are done, check the color of the dough. It should be a deep golden brown, and the syrup should be bubbling actively around the dumplings.
For the best flavor, try to use fresh, tart apples. This contrast with the sweet syrup will make your dumplings even more irresistible.
Feel free to adjust the sweetness of the syrup to your liking. If you prefer a less sweet dessert, reduce the sugar slightly, but make sure there’s enough to create a good syrup.
If you’re serving these as a special dessert, try adding a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream on top. The cold creaminess pairs wonderfully with the warm, cinnamon-spiced dumplings.
For an even quicker option, you can use store-bought pie filling in place of fresh apples. Simply spoon a bit of pie filling onto the crescent dough and roll it up for a shortcut.
If you plan to make these ahead of time, you can assemble the dumplings the day before, cover them, and store.
them in the fridge until ready to bake. You might need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if the dumplings are chilled.
Conclusion
Pioneer Woman’s Apple Dumplings are a warm, comforting dessert that’s both simple to make and packed with flavor.
The combination of tart apples, flaky dough, and sweet, buttery syrup creates a delicious balance that’s perfect for any occasion.
Whether you enjoy them on their own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, these apple dumplings are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth and bring a cozy, homemade touch to your table.