If you’ve been on the lookout for a dessert that’s easy to make but impresses every time, I’ve got you covered with my Apple Dumplings with Mountain Dew Sauce Recipe. This isn’t your average apple dumpling; the secret magic lies in the Mountain Dew sauce that creates the most delightful, caramelized glaze you’ll want to drizzle on everything. Trust me, when I first tried this, I was hooked—and I can’t wait for you to enjoy this fan-freaking-tastic treat as much as my family does!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unexpected Sweetness: The Mountain Dew sauce adds a unique, tangy sweetness you won’t find in traditional apple dumplings.
- Simple Yet Stunning: It uses pantry staples and quick prep tricks, perfect for when you want impressive results without fuss.
- Family Favorite: This dessert gets repeated requests at my house—especially when topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Versatile and Fun: You can tweak the spice level or switch up the soda to customize your perfect dumpling experience.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together in the simplest way, and they actually complement each other beautifully. Using Granny Smith apples is key—they hold their shape and add just the right tartness to balance all that sweetness from the Mountain Dew sauce.
- Granny Smith apples: Their tartness and firmness make them perfect for baking without turning mushy.
- Crescent rolls: These create that flaky, buttery dumpling wrapper without any extra effort.
- Butter: I use melted butter to get the sauce rich and to help the crescent rolls crisp up beautifully.
- Sugar: Adds sweetness to the sauce and helps it caramelize in the oven.
- Vanilla extract: Just a splash to deepen the flavor and make the sauce taste warm and inviting.
- Cinnamon: A sprinkle or two gives those classic apple dessert vibes you’ll want in every bite.
- Mountain Dew (or Sprite): This is the surprising star—its citrusy fizz creates a wonderful, sticky sauce that hugs the dumplings perfectly.
Variations
I love how this recipe invites you to make it your own. Whether you want to swap out the soda or add a touch of your favorite spice, it’s all about having fun and tailoring it to your tastes. Here are a few variations I’ve experimented with that turned out great.
- Using Sprite Instead of Mountain Dew: When I don’t have Mountain Dew on hand, Sprite gives a lighter, slightly less sweet sauce but still delicious.
- Adding Nutmeg or Cloves: I sometimes add a pinch of nutmeg or cloves with the cinnamon for an even warmer fall flavor that my guests love.
- Trying Different Apples: Granny Smith is my personal favorite, but firm Fuji or Honeycrisp apples work well if you prefer a sweeter apple.
- Make It Vegan: Replace butter with coconut oil or vegan butter and use a vegan crescent dough to make this treat plant-based.
How to Make Apple Dumplings with Mountain Dew Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Apples
First things first—preheat your oven to 350°F and grease your baking dishes well. I use two 9×13 pans because the dumplings do spread out as they bake. Peel the Granny Smith apples and core them before slicing each apple into eight evenly sized slices. This is where a good apple slicer can be a gamechanger, but a sharp knife works just fine too.
Step 2: Wrap Each Apple Slice
Take each apple slice and roll it inside a piece of crescent roll dough—make sure it’s wrapped snugly, almost like wrapping a present. This keeps the apple juicy inside the flaky outer shell. Arrange all your wrapped dumplings in the prepared pans, giving them a bit of space to bake evenly.
Step 3: Make and Pour the Mountain Dew Sauce
In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, sugar, and vanilla extract until the sugar begins to dissolve a bit—this combo melts together all those lovely flavors. Pour the entire butter-sugar mixture evenly over your wrapped apples. This step is key because it locks in moisture and adds rich sweetness.
Now for the fun twist: pour the can of Mountain Dew gently around the edges of the pan, letting it pool in all the nooks to bubble up during baking. Finish with a generous sprinkle of cinnamon on top, then place the pans in the oven.
Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake your apple dumplings for about 40-45 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the crescent dough is beautifully golden brown and the sauce is bubbling and caramelized around the edges. Don’t rush this part—patience here means that perfect balance between tender apples and crisp, buttery dough.
Step 5: Serve Warm and Saucy
This is my favorite moment—serve the dumplings warm with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream right on top. Spoon lots of that mountain dew sauce over everything. I promise, your taste buds will jump for joy!
Pro Tips for Making Apple Dumplings with Mountain Dew Sauce Recipe
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Giving each dumpling a little room lets the sauce bubble up nicely and the dough crisp evenly.
- Use Fresh Butter: Fresh, unsalted butter makes a big difference in richness and flavor; I learned this the hard way once when using margarine!
- Watch Your Bake Time: Start checking at 40 minutes—oven temps vary and you want that golden finish without drying out the apples.
- Serve Immediately or Warm Up Gently: The sauce tastes best fresh, so plan to serve soon after baking or reheat gently to keep it luscious.
How to Serve Apple Dumplings with Mountain Dew Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping these apple dumplings with a scoop of vanilla or caramel ice cream because the cold creaminess contrasts beautifully with the warm sauce. A light dusting of powdered sugar or a sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans adds a nice crunch and an extra touch of elegance if you’re serving company.
Side Dishes
Since this dessert is pretty rich, I like to keep side dishes simple—sometimes a fresh cup of coffee or lightly brewed tea is all you need. But if you want to turn this into a full autumn-inspired meal, pair it with a sharp cheddar platter or a fresh green salad with tart vinaigrette to balance flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For the holidays or a special treat, try serving each apple dumpling in a decorative ramekin with the sauce drizzled artfully on the side. You can even add a cinnamon stick garnish or a sprig of fresh mint for a pop of color that really wows at the dinner table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover dumplings tightly covered in the fridge and make sure to scoop up the sauce along with them. They taste fantastic reheated the next day, as the flavors have had time to meld even more.
Freezing
If I want to freeze these, I wrap individual dumplings tightly in plastic wrap and pop them in a freezer bag. When it’s time to enjoy, I thaw overnight in the fridge and then reheat gently in the oven to revive that fresh-baked texture.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop the dumplings in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes, uncovered, which warms the sauce and crisps the dough back up without drying out the apples. Microwave reheating tends to make the dough soggy, so I avoid that whenever possible.
FAQs
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Can I use a different type of apple for this recipe?
Absolutely! While I prefer Granny Smith for their tartness and firmness, feel free to use Fuji, Honeycrisp, or other firm varieties. Just note that sweeter apples will change the flavor balance a bit—so you might want to adjust the cinnamon or sugar accordingly.
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What if I don’t have Mountain Dew—can I substitute another soda?
Yes! Sprite or 7-Up works great as a substitute. The soda’s citrus notes help create that bubbling, caramelizing sauce. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious and sticky.
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Can I make these apple dumplings ahead of time?
You can assemble the dumplings a few hours ahead and keep them covered in the fridge before baking. However, I recommend baking them fresh for the best texture and sauce consistency.
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Is there a way to make this recipe vegan?
Yes! Use vegan crescent rolls and substitute melted butter with coconut oil or a plant-based butter alternative. Ensure your soda doesn’t contain animal products—Mountain Dew and Sprite are generally vegan-friendly.
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How do I store leftover apple dumplings?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for best results to keep that crisp dough and warm, bubbly sauce.
Final Thoughts
Making this Apple Dumplings with Mountain Dew Sauce Recipe always feels like a little celebration in my kitchen. It’s that kind of dessert that brings everyone together around the table, eager for second (and third) helpings. Once you try it, you’ll see why it’s a recipe I happily share like a secret passed between good friends. So go on—grab some apples and a can of Mountain Dew, and let this charming dessert become a new family favorite in your home too!
Print
Apple Dumplings with Mountain Dew Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these easy-to-make Apple Dumplings featuring crisp Granny Smith apples wrapped in flaky crescent rolls, baked to golden perfection and bathed in a buttery, sugary syrup enhanced with a splash of soda for a hint of citrus. Perfectly spiced with cinnamon and served warm, these dumplings are a nostalgic, crowd-pleasing dessert great for any occasion.
Ingredients
Apple Dumplings
- 2 Granny Smith apples
- 2 (8 ounce) cans crescent rolls
Syrup and Topping
- 1 cup butter, melted
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Cinnamon, to taste
- 1 (12 ounce) can Mountain Dew soda (or Sprite)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray two 9×13-inch baking dishes with cooking spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Prepare Apples: Peel and core the Granny Smith apples. Cut each apple into 8 evenly sized slices to ensure uniform cooking and easy wrapping.
- Wrap Apples in Crescent Rolls: Roll each apple slice individually in a crescent roll segment, making sure each piece is fully enclosed. Place the wrapped apple slices evenly in the prepared baking dishes.
- Make Butter Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, sugar, and vanilla extract. Stir well until fully blended to create a sweet buttery syrup that will soak into the dumplings as they bake.
- Assemble and Add Soda: Pour the butter and sugar mixture evenly over the apple dumplings in the pans. Then, carefully pour the Mountain Dew (or Sprite) around the edges of the pans but not directly over the dumplings to maintain the syrup’s richness.
- Sprinkle Cinnamon and Bake: Sprinkle cinnamon generously over the top of the dumplings for warm spice flavor. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the crescent rolls are golden brown and puffed up.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Serve warm, optionally with vanilla ice cream, spooning the syrupy sauce over the top for a delicious finish.
Notes
- Use Granny Smith apples for their tartness which balances the sweet syrup well.
- Substitute Mountain Dew with Sprite or any lemon-lime soda for a similar effect.
- For a richer dessert, serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
- To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free crescent roll dough if available.
- Ensure apples are cut evenly so they cook uniformly in the oven.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 dumpling
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
