If you’ve been hunting for a cozy, nostalgic dessert that’s surprisingly simple to make, you’re going to fall head-over-heels for this Easy Apple Dumplings with Mountain Dew Recipe. Imagine tender apple wedges wrapped in buttery crescent dough, baked to golden perfection and soaking up a luscious, sweet Mountain Dew syrup—pure comfort on a plate. Trust me, once you try this, it’s going to become one of your go-to desserts for family dinners or any time you want that warm, homemade feel without fuss.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simplicity Meets Flavor: Using crescent rolls saves time but still delivers that flaky, buttery crust we crave.
Unique Sweetness: Mountain Dew adds a subtle citrusy fizz and sweetness that transforms this classic dessert.
Perfect for Fall: Cinnamon and apples are a timeless combo that makes you feel all cozy inside.
Family-Friendly: Even kids love these dumplings, making it a crowd-pleaser with minimal effort.

The image shows two golden brown rolled crepes placed side by side on a white plate with blue floral patterns. The crepes have a slightly crispy texture and are sprinkled with cinnamon, giving them a warm brown color on top. To the right of the crepes, there is a scoop of smooth, white vanilla ice cream with a creamy texture, slightly melting onto the plate. Above the crepes, a woman's hand is pouring a light amber syrup over them in a thin stream. The plate sits on a white marbled surface, adding brightness to the scene. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients combine to create that perfect balance of tart, sweet, and buttery flavors. You’ll find that using Granny Smith apples gives just the right tang to cut through the sugar and syrup. Plus, crescent rolls keep things fast without sacrificing deliciousness.

Granny Smith apples: Their tartness holds up well against the sweetness and keeps the dumplings from being overly sugary.
Crescent rolls: Convenient and flaky, these make wrapping the apples super easy.
Butter: Essential for that rich, luscious sauce and helps everything brown beautifully.
Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create that slightly caramelized coating.
Vanilla extract: A small addition that deepens the flavor profile.
Mountain Dew soda: The secret ingredient that brings a bubbly citrus twist and tenderizes the apples as they bake.
Cinnamon: Sprinkled on top for a warm spice note that ties everything together.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love making this recipe just as is, but I also love how easy it is to put your own spin on it. Don’t hesitate to try swapping some ingredients or adding a personal touch to suit your taste or dietary needs. It’s all about making it yours!

Use different apple varieties: If you like sweeter apples, try Honeycrisp or Fuji for a different flavor profile; just be mindful they may yield a softer texture.
Alternative sodas: For a fun twist, I’ve swapped Mountain Dew with ginger ale or lemon-lime soda, which also produce delightful results.
Add nuts or raisins: Toss in some chopped pecans or raisins inside the roll for a little extra texture and flavor (my family goes crazy for this!).
Make it dairy-free: Use a plant-based butter alternative to keep things vegan-friendly without skimping on richness.

How to Make Easy Apple Dumplings with Mountain Dew Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Apples and Dough

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and buttering a 13-by-9-inch baking dish—this prevents sticking and helps with even browning. While the oven warms, peel and core your Granny Smith apples. When I first made these, I found that cutting each apple half into 4 wedges provides just the right size chunks — not too big to overwhelm your bite, and not so small that they dry out.

Next, unroll the crescent rolls on a lightly floured surface and separate along the perforations to get 16 triangles. Working quickly while the dough is still cold, place one apple wedge on the wide base of each triangle and roll it toward the point, wrapping the dough snugly around the apple to trap all those juicy flavors inside.

Step 2: Make the Magic Mountain Dew Sauce

In a small saucepan, gently melt the butter—you don’t want to brown it here, just melt—then stir in the sugar just enough to combine, leaving a bit of that grainy texture that helps create a syrupy top layer. Add the vanilla extract and give a barely-there stir. This mixture is what gives the dumplings that irresistible richness.

Step 3: Assemble and Bake

Arrange your wrapped apples snugly in the greased baking dish. Pour the buttery sugar mixture evenly over the top, making sure each dumpling gets a good dousing. Then carefully pour the Mountain Dew soda around the edges of the pan—this adds moisture and that signature citrus fizz.

Finally, sprinkle cinnamon over everything (don’t skip this; it’s the finishing touch that brings the whole dish to life). Bake in your preheated oven for 30 to 45 minutes, or until the dumplings are golden brown, crisp on top, and the apples are tender when pierced.

When I made this for the first time, I found that checking around 35 minutes is perfect timing to avoid overbaking. Every oven’s a little different, so keep an eye on that beautiful golden crust!

Pro Tips for Making Easy Apple Dumplings with Mountain Dew Recipe

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Cold Dough Matters: Keeping the crescent rolls cold makes them easier to roll and gives a better flaky texture after baking.
Don’t Over-Stir the Sauce: The granular texture of the sugar and butter mixture before baking is key to that luscious syrup—it thickens as it cooks.
Even Spacing Helps: Arrange dumplings in the pan without too much crowding to help them crisp evenly on all sides.
Syrup Isn’t Just for Show: Spoon the sauce over each serving; it’s the best part and keeps the dumplings moist and flavorful.

How to Serve Easy Apple Dumplings with Mountain Dew Recipe

The image shows a dessert served on a white plate with a blue floral pattern. The plate holds two golden brown rolled pastries with a soft texture, sprinkled with a light brown powder that looks like cinnamon. Next to the pastries is a big scoop of smooth white ice cream, slightly melting. A woman's hand is pouring a light brown syrup over the pastries, adding shine and moisture. The dish is placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I’m a sucker for a scoop of vanilla ice cream on these dumplings—its creamy coolness perfectly balances the warm, cinnamon-spiced apples. Sometimes, I like to drizzle a little caramel sauce on top for an extra decadent touch, especially when serving guests.

Side Dishes

Since these dumplings are already rich and sweet, pairing them with a light, refreshing side like a simple green salad or even a cup of warm spiced tea really rounds out the meal without feeling overindulgent.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday dinners, I’ve served these apple dumplings in rustic ramekins, individual style, with a sprinkle of powdered sugar and a sprig of fresh mint—it looks gorgeous and the portions are perfectly controlled. Another time, I added a dollop of whipped cream infused with cinnamon for that extra wow factor.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover dumplings keep wonderfully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I usually save the syrup separately in a small jar to reheat and pour back over before serving, so the dumplings don’t get soggy.

Freezing

I’ve frozen unbaked dumplings wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then popped into a freezer bag. They freeze well for up to a month. When you’re ready, just thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as usual—easy peasy!

Reheating

To reheat, I find warming in a 325°F oven for about 10-15 minutes does the trick without drying them out. Adding a little syrup before warming keeps everything moist and delicious—microwaves tend to make the crust soggy, so I avoid that if I can.

FAQs

Can I use different types of apples in this recipe?

Absolutely! While Granny Smith apples are ideal for their tartness and firmness, you can substitute with other varieties like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala depending on your sweetness preference. Just keep in mind sweeter apples might lead to a softer texture, so adjust baking time accordingly.
Why Mountain Dew in apple dumplings?

Mountain Dew adds a unique citrusy sweetness and a little fizz that tenderizes the apples while they bake, enhancing the overall flavor and syrup’s texture—giving a fresh twist to a traditional dish.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes! Substitute the butter with a plant-based alternative like vegan margarine or coconut oil. The crescent rolls do contain dairy, so for a fully dairy-free version, look for dairy-free crescent dough or make your own pie dough substitute.
How do I prevent the dough from getting soggy?

Keeping the crescent roll dough cold until you’re ready to roll helps it stay flaky. Also, pouring the Mountain Dew around the edges of the dish instead of directly on the dumplings prevents sogginess and contributes to a nice syrup base as it bakes.
How long do apple dumplings last?

Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, they’ll keep their best quality for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freezing is your best bet before baking.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Apple Dumplings with Mountain Dew Recipe holds a special place in my heart, not just because it’s simplicity itself, but because it brings the kind of comfort that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day. Whether you’re making it for a family gathering, a casual treat, or just because, you can count on it to put smiles around your table. I encourage you to give it a try—you might just discover a new favorite all-year-round classic like I did!

Easy Apple Dumplings with Mountain Dew Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.5 from 58 reviews

Author: Nora
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Description

Delicious and easy-to-make apple dumplings featuring tender Granny Smith apples wrapped in flaky crescent roll dough, baked to golden perfection, and soaked in a buttery, sweet soda sauce. This comforting autumn dessert is perfect served warm with ice cream.

Ingredients

Apples

2 Granny Smith apples

Dough

2 (8-oz.) cans crescent rolls

Sauce

1 cup butter, plus more for greasing
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (12-oz.) can Mountain Dew soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon

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Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously butter a 13-by-9-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and add richness.
Prepare Apples: Peel and core the apples. Cut each apple in half vertically, then slice each half into 4 wedges, yielding 16 apple pieces total.
Wrap Apples in Dough: On a lightly floured surface, unroll the crescent roll cans and separate into 16 triangles. Place one apple wedge at the wide end of each dough triangle. Roll the dough tightly around the apple, starting from the wide end toward the pointed tip, ensuring the dough overlaps fully to encase the apple.
Arrange in Baking Dish: Place the wrapped apple dumplings seam-side down in the prepared buttered baking dish, arranging them evenly without crowding.
Make Sauce and Pour: In a small saucepan, melt 1 cup of butter over low heat. Stir in the sugar just enough to combine, allowing it to remain slightly grainy and lumpy. Remove from heat, then stir in vanilla extract. Pour this buttery sugar mixture evenly over the dumplings in the baking dish.
Add Soda and Spice: Carefully pour the Mountain Dew soda around the edges of the baking dish to create a syrupy sauce base. Sprinkle cinnamon evenly over the top of the dumplings for warm spice notes.
Bake: Bake uncovered for 30 to 45 minutes or until the dumplings are golden brown and crisp on top, and the sauce is bubbling gently around them.
Serve: Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly. Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream, spooning some of the luscious sauce from the pan over the top to soak into the dessert.

Notes

Best enjoyed fresh and warm from the oven with vanilla ice cream.
Using Granny Smith apples provides a perfect tart contrast to the sweet sauce.
Work quickly when handling the crescent dough so it remains cold and easier to wrap around the apples.
Mountain Dew adds a unique citrusy sweetness that complements the apples and cinnamon.
For variation, try using other citrus sodas like lemon-lime or orange soda.
Make sure the baking dish is well buttered to prevent sticking and add richness.