If you’re craving the ultimate comfort dessert, look no further than Pioneer Woman’s Apple Dumplings. These golden, cinnamon-sugar wrapped treats combine crisp tart apples with flaky crescent dough and a decadent buttery sauce—all bubbling together to create an irresistibly saucy, gooey finish. This recipe is pure magic: not only is it delightfully simple (with a few fun twists), but each bite tastes like a warm hug and a slice of autumn no matter what time of year. Whether you’re serving them for a family gathering or simply treating yourself, this is a dessert that’s guaranteed to spark joy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll be amazed at how a handful of humble supermarket finds can transform into something so special. Each ingredient in Pioneer Woman’s Apple Dumplings has a clear purpose—bringing together tartness, sweetness, and plenty of buttery richness for a dish that tastes as lovely as it looks.
- Granny Smith apples: Their tart profile keeps the dumplings from tasting overly sweet, and their firm texture holds up beautifully when baked.
- Refrigerated crescent roll dough: This shortcut bakes up perfectly flaky and golden, effortlessly encasing the apples without any fuss.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and creates a luscious base for the syrupy sauce that forms while baking.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens both the sauce and the apples, helping to caramelize everything as it bakes.
- Vanilla extract: Just a splash gives the dumplings a warm, bakery-style aroma and enhances all the flavors.
- Ground cinnamon: Classic and cozy, cinnamon provides that unmistakable hug of warmth and pairs perfectly with apples.
- Lemon-lime soda (such as Mountain Dew): The surprise ingredient! Soda helps create the gooey, caramel-like sauce that makes these dumplings so addictive.
How to Make Pioneer Woman’s Apple Dumplings
Step 1: Prep Your Apples and Baking Dish
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), so it’s ready for baking magic. Peel, core, and cut your Granny Smith apples into wedges—eight slices per apple. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to keep the dumplings from sticking and to make serving a breeze.
Step 2: Wrap the Apples
Pop open those crescent roll cans and separate the dough into triangles. Take one apple wedge, place it at the wide end of a triangle, and roll it up snugly toward the point. There’s no need to stress over perfection—a rustic look is part of their charm. Place each dumpling seam-side down in your greased baking dish, nestling them close together.
Step 3: Make the Buttery Sauce
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the sugar and stir just until it is incorporated; don’t worry if the mixture looks a little grainy. Remove from the heat and mix in the vanilla extract for a hit of warmth and sweetness.
Step 4: Assemble and Pour
Now, pour that luscious butter mixture all over the dumplings—make sure each one gets a generous drizzle. Then, crack open your lemon-lime soda and pour it around the edges of the pan and down the center (avoid drenching the tops directly), which helps create that signature syrupy sauce.
Step 5: Add Cinnamon and Bake
Sprinkle the cinnamon evenly over everything, letting it fall like a finishing touch of fairy dust. Pop the dish in the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the dumplings are deeply golden and the sauce is bubbling merrily at the edges.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
Let your Pioneer Woman’s Apple Dumplings cool for a few minutes before serving. The sauce will thicken up a bit, making it just perfect for spooning over each portion.
How to Serve Pioneer Woman’s Apple Dumplings
Garnishes
A warm scoop of vanilla ice cream melting over the top is truly the ultimate treat with Pioneer Woman’s Apple Dumplings. You can also add a drizzle of caramel sauce, a dusting of powdered sugar, or even a few toasted pecans for extra crunch.
Side Dishes
Serve these apple dumplings after a cozy fall dinner, maybe alongside a crisp green salad and a simple roast. For brunch, they’re lovely paired with coffee or spiced chai and a platter of bacon or sausage for those who like to balance out the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
Try baking individual servings in ramekins for an adorable twist, or spoon each dumpling into a bowl and let guests build their own sundaes. If you’re sharing at a party, arrange them on a big platter with little pitchers of warm sauce and ice cream on the side, and let everyone help themselves.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover Pioneer Woman’s Apple Dumplings, simply cover the baking dish tightly with foil or transfer the dumplings to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to three days; the saucy bottoms will keep them delicious and moist.
Freezing
To freeze, cool the dumplings completely, then wrap each one individually or place them all in a freezer-safe container with some sauce. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best texture.
Reheating
For the tastiest results, reheat Pioneer Woman’s Apple Dumplings in a 350°F oven until warmed through—about 10 to 15 minutes. You can microwave individual portions for a quick fix, but the oven keeps them crispier.
FAQs
Can I use a different type Dessert
Absolutely! While Granny Smith apples give the perfect tart flavor and hold their shape, firm varieties like Honeycrisp or Pink Lady also work well in Pioneer Woman’s Apple Dumplings. Just avoid apples that get mushy when baked.
Why add lemon-lime soda? Won’t it taste strange?
Surprisingly, the soda doesn’t make the dumplings taste citrusy or like soda at all. It reacts with the sugar and butter to create a thick, glossy, caramel-like sauce that’s downright irresistible.
Can I make Pioneer Woman’s Apple Dumplings ahead of time?
You can assemble the dumplings a few hours in advance, refrigerate them, and bake just before serving. If you want to make them a day early, bake and then gently reheat in the oven before serving.
Is it possible to make these dumplings gluten-free?
Yes! Look for gluten-free crescent roll dough at specialty stores, and double-check your other ingredient labels. The results are delicious and nearly identical to the original Pioneer Woman’s Apple Dumplings.
Can I reduce the sugar without ruining the recipe?
You can cut back on the sugar slightly—try using 1 cup instead of 1 1/2 if you’d like a lighter dessert. The dumplings will still be sweet, saucy, and flavorful, just with a bit less richness.
Final Thoughts
These Pioneer Woman’s Apple Dumplings are the kind of showstopping, soul-warming dessert you’ll want to make again and again. They’re simple enough for a weeknight but special enough for a celebration. If you’ve never tried them, now’s the time—dive in, share with friends or family, and enjoy every cozy, buttery bite!
Print
Pioneer Woman’s Apple Dumplings Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 16 dumplings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Pioneer Woman’s Apple Dumplings are a delightful dessert made with tender, cinnamon-spiced apples wrapped in flaky crescent roll dough and baked in a sweet, buttery sauce. A perfect treat for any occasion!
Ingredients
Ingredients for Apple Dumplings:
- 2 Granny Smith apples (peeled, cored, and cut into 8 wedges each)
- 2 (8 oz) cans refrigerated crescent roll dough
Ingredients for Butter Sauce:
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 (12 oz) can lemon-lime soda (such as Mountain Dew)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Wrap Apples: Wrap each apple wedge in a crescent roll triangle and place seam-side down in the prepared dish.
- Make Butter Sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the sugar and stir until combined. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Assemble Dumplings: Pour the butter mixture over the dumplings. Pour the lemon-lime soda around the edges of the pan. Sprinkle cinnamon over everything.
- Bake: Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until golden brown and bubbling. Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delicious finish.
- Granny Smith apples are recommended for their tartness, but other firm varieties like Honeycrisp can be substituted.
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