Pioneer Woman’s Apple Dumplings are the ultimate comfort dessert—warm, buttery, and packed with cinnamon-spiced goodness. This semi-homemade recipe is beloved for its simplicity, requiring only seven ingredients and minimal prep time. The secret twist? A splash of soda, which creates a rich, caramel-like sauce as the dumplings bake. Whether you’re making these for a family gathering or a casual dessert night, they are sure to impress with their sweet and tender appeal.
Why Make This Recipe
- Easy to prepare – Requires only a few ingredients and simple steps.
- Deliciously indulgent – A perfect blend of buttery, cinnamony, and apple flavors.
- Minimal prep time – No need to make dough from scratch.
- Great for gatherings – A crowd-pleasing dessert that disappears fast.
- Customizable – Try different fruits or add-ins like cream cheese for variety.
How to Make Pioneer Woman’s Apple Dumplings
This dessert involves wrapping apple slices in crescent roll dough, covering them with a cinnamon-sugar butter mixture, pouring soda over them, and baking until golden brown. The result? A flaky, caramelized apple treat that’s absolutely irresistible.
Ingredients
- 1 large apple (Fuji, Granny Smith, or any tart variety)
- 1 can Pillsbury Crescent dough
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup (6 oz.) 7-Up or equivalent soda
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish.
- Peel and core the apple, then cut it into 8-10 wedges.
- Unroll the crescent dough and separate it into triangles.
- Wrap each apple wedge in a crescent roll triangle, starting at the wide end. Pinch the edges to seal and place in the prepared baking dish.
- In a small saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in sugar and cinnamon, whisking continuously until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and add vanilla extract.
- Pour the cinnamon-sugar butter mixture evenly over the wrapped apples.
- Pour the soda around (not directly over) the dumplings in the baking dish.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream for the best experience!
How to Serve Pioneer Woman’s Apple Dumplings
- With ice cream – A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream enhances the warm, buttery flavors.
- Drizzled with caramel – Add extra richness with a caramel drizzle.
- Sprinkled with powdered sugar – For a simple but elegant touch.
- With whipped cream – Light and airy topping to balance the sweetness.
How to Store Pioneer Woman’s Apple Dumplings
- Refrigeration – Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating – Warm in the oven at 300°F for 10 minutes or microwave for 20-30 seconds.
- Freezing – Not recommended, as the texture may become too soft after thawing.
Tips to Make Pioneer Woman’s Apple Dumplings
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith to balance the sweetness.
- Pat the apple slices dry before wrapping them in dough to prevent sogginess.
- Don’t pour soda directly over the dumplings—pour around them to maintain crispness.
- If making ahead, store the sauce separately and reheat before serving.
Variations
- Berry & Cream Cheese – Add a dollop of cream cheese and a few fresh berries inside each dumpling before wrapping.
- Peach Dumplings – Swap apples for peach slices for a summery twist.
- Spiced Version – Add nutmeg or pumpkin spice to the cinnamon mixture for extra warmth.
- Sugar-Free – Use a sugar substitute and diet soda for a lighter version.
FAQs
1. How long do apple dumplings last?
They stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat before serving.
2. Can I substitute another soda for 7-Up?
Yes! You can use Mountain Dew, Sprite, or even ginger ale. The soda helps create a caramel-like sauce.
3. What can I serve with apple dumplings?
Vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, caramel sauce, or a sprinkle of powdered sugar all work great.
Enjoy these easy, decadent Pioneer Woman Apple Dumplings with minimal effort and maximum flavor!
Pioneer Woman’s Apple Dumplings
Equipment
- Baking Dish
- Saucepan
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 large apple (Fuji, Granny Smith, or any tart variety)
- 1 can Pillsbury Crescent dough
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup 7-Up or equivalent soda (6 oz.)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8x8-inch baking dish.
- Peel and core the apple, then cut it into 8-10 wedges.
- Unroll the crescent dough and separate it into triangles.
- Wrap each apple wedge in a crescent roll triangle, starting at the wide end. Pinch the edges to seal and place in the prepared baking dish.
- In a small saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in sugar and cinnamon, whisking continuously until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and add vanilla extract.
- Pour the cinnamon-sugar butter mixture evenly over the wrapped apples.
- Pour the soda around (not directly over) the dumplings in the baking dish.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream for the best experience!