Apple dumplings have long been a favorite comfort food, drawing people in with their sweet, gooey filling and flaky, golden crust. These 5-ingredient apple dumplings are no exception. They offer a surprisingly simple yet delightful twist on a traditional dessert, making them perfect for dessert lovers and home bakers of all levels. Whether youāre looking for a quick weeknight treat, a sweet indulgence for your weekend brunch, or something to impress guests at a family gathering, this recipe delivers on every front.
PrintBaked Apple Fritters: A Cozy Fall Delight
šš© Baked Apple Fritters are the ultimate fall indulgence! These golden, cinnamon-spiced delights are filled with tender apples and finished with a sweet glaze thatās perfect for a cozy fall afternoon. Whether youāre pairing them with your morning coffee or enjoying them as a dessert, these fritters are sure to please! Ready to fall in love? š
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- Total Time: 1 hour,
- Yield: 8 servings, 1x
Ingredients
- 2 (8 oz) cans refrigerated crescent rolls: Crescent rolls are the perfect base for these dumplings because they create a soft, flaky exterior that complements the sweet filling. Theyāre also incredibly easy to work with, especially for beginner bakers. The dough is pre-scored into triangles, making it simple to fill and roll up. Their mild sweetness and buttery flavor provide the perfect contrast to the rich caramel sauce that forms while baking.
- 1 (20 oz) can apple pie filling: Apple pie filling is a time-saving ingredient that brings the essence of homemade apple pie without the hassle of peeling and slicing fresh apples. Itās filled with tender apple slices that are already spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, providing the perfect balance of sweetness and spice. Using apple pie filling also ensures that the dumplings will have a consistent texture and flavor every time you make them.
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature: Butter is a crucial component in this recipe. When combined with brown sugar, it helps to form a rich, velvety caramel sauce that bathes the dumplings as they bake. It adds richness and depth to the overall flavor, making the dessert more indulgent and satisfying. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the amount of salt in the recipe and ensures the focus remains on the sweet, buttery flavors.
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed): Brown sugar is essential for creating the sweet, deep caramel flavor that pairs perfectly with the apples. The molasses in brown sugar contributes to the richness of the sauce and enhances the overall taste of the dumplings. When mixed with butter, it creates a syrupy consistency that soaks into the crescent rolls as they bake, ensuring each bite is flavorful and satisfying.
- 1 (12 oz) can lemon-lime soda: The surprising secret ingredient in this recipe is lemon-lime soda. As the dumplings bake, the soda reacts with the butter and sugar to create a bubbling caramel sauce. The soda adds a subtle citrusy note that balances out the richness of the butter and sugar, preventing the dessert from becoming too sweet. It also helps to create a moist environment as the dumplings bake, ensuring they come out tender and flavorful.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare the baking dish: Begin by preheating your oven to 350Ā°F (175Ā°C). This ensures that the dumplings will bake evenly. While the oven is heating up, grease a 13Ć9-inch baking dish to prevent the dumplings from sticking. You can use butter or non-stick cooking spray for this. The grease will also help to brown the dumplings and give them a slightly crisp exterior.
- Unroll the crescent rolls: Open the cans of refrigerated crescent rolls and carefully separate the dough into individual triangles. Each can should contain 8 triangles, so youāll have a total of 16 triangles. Be gentle when separating the dough to avoid tearing it. The pre-scored dough makes this step easy, and the triangles will be the perfect size for wrapping around the apple pie filling.
- Add the apple pie filling: Place a generous spoonful of apple pie filling on the wide end of each crescent triangle. Make sure to include both the apples and the syrup from the can, as the syrup helps to create a juicy, flavorful filling. You can adjust the amount of filling based on your preference, but a tablespoon or two should be sufficient. Be careful not to overfill the dough, as it may spill out while baking.
- Roll up the crescent rolls: Starting from the wide end, carefully roll up each crescent triangle around the apple pie filling. Roll them tightly enough to enclose the filling but be careful not to tear the dough. Pinch the seams to seal the rolls and prevent the filling from leaking out during baking. The crescent rolls should be snug but not overly tight, as they will expand while baking.
- Arrange the dumplings in the baking dish: Place the rolled-up dumplings into the prepared baking dish. Arrange them in a single layer, leaving some space between each dumpling. The rolls will puff up and expand as they bake, so be sure to leave enough room for them to spread out.
- Make the caramel sauce: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and brown sugar. Use a hand mixer or a whisk to cream the butter and sugar together until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes. The butter and sugar should form a light, airy texture that will melt down into a rich, glossy sauce while baking.
- Top the dumplings with the butter-sugar mixture: Drop spoonfuls of the butter-sugar mixture over each dumpling. You donāt need to spread it evenly; just dollop it on top. The butter and sugar will melt and seep into the crescent rolls, creating a luscious caramel sauce as the dumplings bake.
- Pour the soda around the dumplings: Carefully pour the lemon-lime soda around the dumplings, being sure not to pour it directly over the top of the dumplings. The soda should fill the spaces between the rolls, creating a bubbling sauce that will soak into the rolls during baking. The soda reacts with the butter and sugar to form the delicious caramel sauce that makes these dumplings so irresistible.
- Bake the dumplings: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the dumplings are golden brown and the sauce is bubbling. The caramel sauce will thicken and coat the dumplings, creating a beautiful glaze. Keep an eye on the dumplings as they bake to ensure they donāt overbake and become too dark. The dumplings should have a golden, crisp exterior with a gooey, caramelized interior.
- Cool and serve: After baking, let the dumplings cool for about 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the caramel sauce to thicken slightly, making it easier to serve. The dumplings are best served warm, but they can also be reheated in the oven if necessary. Serve the dumplings on their own or with any of the optional toppings like vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Notes
- Use Room Temperature Butter:
- Ensure your butter is softened to room temperature before mixing it with brown sugar. This makes it easier to create a smooth and creamy butter-sugar mixture, which will help form the rich caramel sauce.
- Donāt Overfill the Crescent Rolls:
- While itās tempting to add extra apple filling, be careful not to overstuff the crescent rolls. Overfilling may cause the filling to spill out while baking, resulting in a mess. A generous tablespoon of filling per roll should be enough.
- Seal the Rolls Well:
- When rolling up the crescent dough around the apple filling, make sure to pinch the edges tightly to prevent the filling from leaking out. This ensures a nice seal and keeps the dumplings intact as they bake.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes,
- Cook Time: 40 minutes,
The magic of this dish lies in its simplicity. With just five key ingredients, you can create an unforgettable dessert with minimal effort and maximum flavor. The secret ingredient that sets this recipe apart is lemon-lime soda, which, when paired with butter and brown sugar, creates a rich, bubbly caramel sauce that infuses the crescent rolls as they bake. The result is a gooey, sweet, and buttery creation that combines the flakiness of crescent rolls with the warmth and comforting flavors of apple pie filling.
This recipe is ideal for anyone looking to satisfy their sweet tooth without spending hours in the kitchen. The steps are easy to follow, and the ingredients are affordable and accessible. Whether youāre an experienced baker or just starting to experiment in the kitchen, these apple dumplings will surely become a favorite. Letās dive into the ingredients, instructions, and tips for perfecting this delicious dessert.
Ingredients: What You Need to Make These Dumplings
The ingredients for this 5-ingredient apple dumplings recipe are simple, but they come together to create an extraordinary dessert. There are no fancy ingredients or hard-to-find itemsāeverything you need can be found at your local grocery store. Hereās a breakdown of the ingredients:
For the Dumplings:
- 2 (8 oz) cans refrigerated crescent rolls: Crescent rolls are the perfect base for these dumplings because they create a soft, flaky exterior that complements the sweet filling. Theyāre also incredibly easy to work with, especially for beginner bakers. The dough is pre-scored into triangles, making it simple to fill and roll up. Their mild sweetness and buttery flavor provide the perfect contrast to the rich caramel sauce that forms while baking.
- 1 (20 oz) can apple pie filling: Apple pie filling is a time-saving ingredient that brings the essence of homemade apple pie without the hassle of peeling and slicing fresh apples. Itās filled with tender apple slices that are already spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, providing the perfect balance of sweetness and spice. Using apple pie filling also ensures that the dumplings will have a consistent texture and flavor every time you make them.
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature: Butter is a crucial component in this recipe. When combined with brown sugar, it helps to form a rich, velvety caramel sauce that bathes the dumplings as they bake. It adds richness and depth to the overall flavor, making the dessert more indulgent and satisfying. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the amount of salt in the recipe and ensures the focus remains on the sweet, buttery flavors.
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed): Brown sugar is essential for creating the sweet, deep caramel flavor that pairs perfectly with the apples. The molasses in brown sugar contributes to the richness of the sauce and enhances the overall taste of the dumplings. When mixed with butter, it creates a syrupy consistency that soaks into the crescent rolls as they bake, ensuring each bite is flavorful and satisfying.
- 1 (12 oz) can lemon-lime soda: The surprising secret ingredient in this recipe is lemon-lime soda. As the dumplings bake, the soda reacts with the butter and sugar to create a bubbling caramel sauce. The soda adds a subtle citrusy note that balances out the richness of the butter and sugar, preventing the dessert from becoming too sweet. It also helps to create a moist environment as the dumplings bake, ensuring they come out tender and flavorful.
Optional Toppings:
While the apple dumplings are delicious on their own, adding a few optional toppings can take them to the next level. Here are some great ideas for enhancing the flavor and presentation:
- Vanilla ice cream: A scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream provides the perfect contrast to the warm, gooey dumplings. The cold ice cream melts into the caramel sauce, creating a rich, comforting experience thatās hard to resist.
- Whipped cream: Light and fluffy whipped cream adds a delicate touch to the dumplings. Its sweetness complements the richness of the caramel sauce without overpowering the other flavors.
- Caramel sauce: For those who canāt get enough of caramel, drizzling extra caramel sauce over the dumplings is a great way to intensify the flavor. The additional sauce makes the dessert even more indulgent and luxurious.
- Ground cinnamon: A sprinkle of ground cinnamon on top of the dumplings enhances the warm, spiced flavor of the apples and adds a bit of extra flavor to the finished dish.
Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make These Apple Dumplings
Making these 5-ingredient apple dumplings is straightforward and quick. The process involves just a few simple steps that anyone can follow, regardless of experience in the kitchen. Hereās how to make these delicious dumplings from start to finish:
- Preheat the oven and prepare the baking dish: Begin by preheating your oven to 350Ā°F (175Ā°C). This ensures that the dumplings will bake evenly. While the oven is heating up, grease a 13Ć9-inch baking dish to prevent the dumplings from sticking. You can use butter or non-stick cooking spray for this. The grease will also help to brown the dumplings and give them a slightly crisp exterior.
- Unroll the crescent rolls: Open the cans of refrigerated crescent rolls and carefully separate the dough into individual triangles. Each can should contain 8 triangles, so youāll have a total of 16 triangles. Be gentle when separating the dough to avoid tearing it. The pre-scored dough makes this step easy, and the triangles will be the perfect size for wrapping around the apple pie filling.
- Add the apple pie filling: Place a generous spoonful of apple pie filling on the wide end of each crescent triangle. Make sure to include both the apples and the syrup from the can, as the syrup helps to create a juicy, flavorful filling. You can adjust the amount of filling based on your preference, but a tablespoon or two should be sufficient. Be careful not to overfill the dough, as it may spill out while baking.
- Roll up the crescent rolls: Starting from the wide end, carefully roll up each crescent triangle around the apple pie filling. Roll them tightly enough to enclose the filling but be careful not to tear the dough. Pinch the seams to seal the rolls and prevent the filling from leaking out during baking. The crescent rolls should be snug but not overly tight, as they will expand while baking.
- Arrange the dumplings in the baking dish: Place the rolled-up dumplings into the prepared baking dish. Arrange them in a single layer, leaving some space between each dumpling. The rolls will puff up and expand as they bake, so be sure to leave enough room for them to spread out.
- Make the caramel sauce: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and brown sugar. Use a hand mixer or a whisk to cream the butter and sugar together until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes. The butter and sugar should form a light, airy texture that will melt down into a rich, glossy sauce while baking.
- Top the dumplings with the butter-sugar mixture: Drop spoonfuls of the butter-sugar mixture over each dumpling. You donāt need to spread it evenly; just dollop it on top. The butter and sugar will melt and seep into the crescent rolls, creating a luscious caramel sauce as the dumplings bake.
- Pour the soda around the dumplings: Carefully pour the lemon-lime soda around the dumplings, being sure not to pour it directly over the top of the dumplings. The soda should fill the spaces between the rolls, creating a bubbling sauce that will soak into the rolls during baking. The soda reacts with the butter and sugar to form the delicious caramel sauce that makes these dumplings so irresistible.
- Bake the dumplings: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the dumplings are golden brown and the sauce is bubbling. The caramel sauce will thicken and coat the dumplings, creating a beautiful glaze. Keep an eye on the dumplings as they bake to ensure they donāt overbake and become too dark. The dumplings should have a golden, crisp exterior with a gooey, caramelized interior.
- Cool and serve: After baking, let the dumplings cool for about 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the caramel sauce to thicken slightly, making it easier to serve. The dumplings are best served warm, but they can also be reheated in the oven if necessary. Serve the dumplings on their own or with any of the optional toppings like vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Flavor, Texture, and Aroma: The Ultimate Comfort Dessert
The appeal of these apple dumplings goes beyond their simplicity and ease of preparation. When you first open the oven door, the aroma that greets you is nothing short of heavenly. The sweet, buttery smell of caramelized sugar mingles with the warm, spiced scent of apples and cinnamon. The dumplings themselves are golden brown, with a slight crispness on the outside, giving way to a soft, tender interior.
The first bite reveals the perfect balance of textures. The crescent dough is flaky and light, while the apple filling is soft and juicy. The caramel sauce soaks into the dumplings, creating a rich, sweet glaze that elevates the overall flavor. The brown sugar and butter provide a deep, comforting sweetness, while the lemon-lime soda adds a subtle citrus note that keeps the dessert from feeling too heavy.
When paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, the warm dumplings create a satisfying contrast of temperatures. The cool ice cream melts into the caramel sauce, adding creaminess and richness to each bite. The optional whipped cream and cinnamon offer an extra touch of sweetness and spice, further enhancing the flavor profile.
Conclusion
These 5-ingredient apple dumplings are a delightful example of how simple ingredients can come together to create something extraordinary. Whether youāre looking to impress your guests with an easy yet elegant dessert or simply want to treat yourself to something comforting and indulgent, this recipe fits the bill. The combination of flaky crescent rolls, sweet apple pie filling, and rich caramel sauce is irresistible, and the optional toppings allow you to customize the dish to your preferences.
What makes this recipe even more appealing is its versatility. You can easily substitute different pie fillings, experiment with different sodas, or add nuts and spices to create your own variations. Whether you enjoy them with a scoop of ice cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or a sprinkle of cinnamon, these apple dumplings are sure to become a staple in your dessert repertoire.
So the next time youāre craving something sweet and comforting, give these apple dumplings a try. With just a few ingredients and minimal effort, you can create a dessert thatās sure to delight your family and friends. Happy baking!