Few desserts capture the spirit of home baking like apple dumplings — golden, flaky pastries filled with tender, cinnamon-scented apples that melt in your mouth. And when it comes to comfort food, Ree Drummond, also known as The Pioneer Woman, never disappoints. Her take on Apple Dumplings combines simplicity with down-home goodness, making it one of the most beloved desserts in her collection.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There are hundreds of apple dessert recipes out there, but Ree Drummond’s version stands apart for a few delicious reasons:
- Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: No complicated pastry dough or fancy techniques — just refrigerator crescent rolls, apples, and a few pantry staples.
- Unexpected Secret Ingredient: The addition of lemon-lime soda (yes, you read that right!) creates a light caramel sauce that seeps into the dumplings as they bake.
- Perfect for Beginners: Even if you’re not a seasoned baker, you’ll find this recipe incredibly forgiving and foolproof.
- Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream, and you’ll have a dessert that everyone raves about.
- Smells Like Heaven: As these bake, your kitchen will be filled with the irresistible aroma of cinnamon, butter, and apples.
It’s the kind of dessert that reminds you of your grandma’s kitchen — simple, nostalgic, and absolutely delicious.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.
Here’s what you’ll need to make Ree Drummond’s Apple Dumplings:
- 2 whole Granny Smith apples – peeled, cored, and cut into 8 slices each
- 2 cans refrigerated crescent roll dough – the buttery kind works best
- 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Ground cinnamon – for dusting
- 1 can (12 oz) lemon-lime soda (like Sprite or 7UP)
These simple ingredients combine to create something truly magical — crisp pastry on the outside, tender apples inside, and a syrupy caramel sauce that you’ll want to spoon over everything.
Let’s Get Started
Step 1: Prep the Apples
Peel and core your Granny Smith apples, then cut them into 8 wedges each. Granny Smith apples are ideal because they hold their shape well and balance the sweetness of the syrup with their tart flavor.
Step 2: Wrap the Dumplings
Unroll the crescent dough and separate the triangles. Place one apple slice on the wide end of each triangle, then roll it up tightly. Place the rolled dumplings seam-side down in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 3: Make the Syrup
In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the sugar and stir until combined, then remove from heat and stir in the vanilla. Pour this buttery mixture evenly over the dumplings.
Step 4: Add the Secret Ingredient
Pour the lemon-lime soda around the edges of the baking dish — not over the dumplings. This step might sound strange, but it’s what creates that irresistibly sweet and bubbly caramel-like sauce as the dumplings bake.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Sprinkle the top with cinnamon for that cozy finishing touch. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35–40 minutes, until the tops are golden and the sauce is thick and syrupy.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Let the dumplings cool slightly before serving. Spoon some of that delicious sauce from the pan over the top, and serve with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Servings and Pairing
This recipe makes 16 dumplings, which is perfect for a family dessert or small gathering. Each serving is warm, gooey, and indulgent — a true comfort treat.
Pairing ideas:
- A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for the ultimate contrast of warm and cold.
- A drizzle of salted caramel sauce for an extra layer of decadence.
- A sprinkle of chopped pecans or walnuts adds a lovely crunch.
- A hot mug of apple cider, coffee, or chai tea complements the cozy flavors perfectly.
Pro tip: Serve these right from the baking dish for that rustic, family-style presentation Ree Drummond is famous for.
Variations
Want to give this classic dessert your own twist? Try these easy variations:
- Use Different Apples: Honeycrisp or Pink Lady apples work well if you prefer a slightly sweeter flavor.
- Spice It Up: Add nutmeg, cloves, or pumpkin pie spice for a deeper fall aroma.
- Boozy Upgrade: Pour a splash of bourbon or spiced rum into the butter mixture for a grown-up version.
- Crescent Swap: Use puff pastry instead of crescent dough for an extra flaky texture.
- Berry Bonus: Place a few raspberries or cranberries inside each dumpling for a fruity surprise.
Each variation keeps the spirit of Ree’s recipe while letting your creativity shine.
Storage Tips
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, here’s how to keep your apple dumplings fresh and delicious:
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 300°F for about 10 minutes or microwave for 30 seconds.
- Freezer: Freeze baked dumplings for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and warm before serving.
- Sauce Tip: Save the caramel sauce at the bottom of the pan — it’s perfect for drizzling over ice cream or pancakes the next day!
Avoid storing them uncovered, as the pastry can turn soggy.
FAQs
1. Can I make these apple dumplings ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble the dumplings up to a day in advance and refrigerate them unbaked. Just add the soda right before baking.
2. Can I use a different type of soda?
Absolutely. Ginger ale or Mountain Dew also works — each gives a slightly different flavor to the sauce.
3. What’s the best apple to use?
Granny Smith is classic for its tartness, but Gala or Honeycrisp apples are great if you like a sweeter filling.
4. Can I reduce the sugar?
Yes, you can cut the sugar by about ¼ cup if you prefer a less sweet dessert without compromising texture.
5. How can I make it dairy-free?
Use plant-based butter and a dairy-free crescent roll dough — the result will still be rich and flavorful.
Final Thoughts
Ree Drummond’s Apple Dumplings are a testament to what makes homemade desserts so special — simple ingredients, comforting flavors, and the power to bring people together. The crisp pastry, buttery sauce, and tender apples make this dish feel like something straight out of a family recipe book.
Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out, this recipe guarantees success and smiles. It’s cozy, easy, and irresistibly good — a dessert you’ll come back to again and again.
Print
Ree Drummond’s Apple Dumplings
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 16 Servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Enjoy the cozy comfort of Ree Drummond’s Apple Dumplings — tender apples wrapped in buttery crescent dough, baked in a sweet, fizzy caramel sauce. A simple, irresistible dessert that tastes like home!
Ingredients
For the Dumplings:
- 2 whole Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 8 slices each
- 2 cans refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Ground cinnamon, to sprinkle on top
- 1 can (12 oz) lemon-lime soda (Sprite or 7UP)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. - Prepare Apples:
Peel, core, and slice the apples into 8 wedges each. Set aside. - Wrap the Dumplings:
Separate crescent dough into triangles. Place one apple slice on the wide end of each triangle and roll it up. Arrange the rolled dumplings seam-side down in the baking dish. - Make the Syrup:
In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add sugar and stir until combined. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. - Assemble the Dessert:
Pour the butter mixture evenly over the dumplings. Then pour the lemon-lime soda around (not over) the dumplings in the pan. - Add Cinnamon:
Sprinkle the tops generously with cinnamon for a warm, aromatic flavor. - Bake:
Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly. - Serve:
Let cool slightly before serving. Spoon the sauce over each dumpling and top with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Notes
- Choose Tart Apples: Granny Smith apples hold their shape and balance the sweetness beautifully.
- Don’t Skip the Soda: The lemon-lime soda creates a light caramel sauce that makes this recipe unforgettable.
- Add Nuts: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the dumplings before baking for extra crunch.
- Reheat Like a Pro: Warm leftovers in the oven for 10 minutes at 300°F to restore crispness.
- Pair with Ice Cream: A scoop of vanilla ice cream turns these dumplings into pure dessert bliss.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
