Buttery, Cinnamon-Spiced Comfort in Every Bite
If you’re craving an old-fashioned dessert that tastes like a warm hug, Ree Drummond’s Pioneer Woman Apple Dumplings deliver every time. Tender, tart apples are wrapped in buttery pastry, then baked in a rich, cinnamon-scented syrup with a surprising secret ingredient: soda. The result? Gooey, cozy, crowd-pleasing comfort that’s perfect for family dinners, holidays, or any night you want something special without fuss.
Why This Recipe Works
- Minimal ingredients — pantry staples do the heavy lifting
- The soda trick — keeps dumplings moist and luxuriously syrupy
- Tart apples + sweet syrup — crave-worthy balance
- Feeds a crowd — easy to scale for gatherings
Equipment Needed
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Medium saucepan (for syrup)
- Apple peeler & corer
- Sharp knife
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Mixing spoon or whisk
Ingredients
For the Dumplings
- 2 large Granny Smith apples (peeled, cored & cut into 8 slices each)
- 2 cans (8-count each) refrigerated crescent rolls (or homemade pastry dough)
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional, but delicious)
For the Syrup
- 1 cup Mountain Dew or Sprite (adds moisture & flavor)
- Extra cinnamon, for sprinkling
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep Apples & Dough
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Peel, core, and slice each apple into 8 wedges. Unroll crescent dough and separate into triangles. - Wrap the Dumplings
Place 1 apple slice at the wide end of each dough triangle. Roll up snugly, tucking in the sides. Arrange in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. - Make the Syrup
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg until the sugar dissolves. Do not boil. Pour evenly over the dumplings. - Add the Secret Ingredient
Slowly pour the soda around the edges of the pan (not directly over the tops). Sprinkle with extra cinnamon. - Bake to Perfection
Bake 35–45 minutes, until golden brown and bubbling. Cool for 10 minutes—the syrup thickens as it rests.
Serving Suggestions
- À la mode: Warm dumplings with vanilla ice cream
- Caramel drizzle: Finish with caramel sauce
- Crunchy finish: Add whipped cream and chopped pecans or walnuts
Pro Tips
- Go tart: Granny Smith apples hold their shape and balance the sweetness.
- Don’t skip the soda: It’s key to the moist, glossy syrup.
- Extra syrup? Make a little more—it’s incredible over ice cream or pancakes.
Cozy, nostalgic, and irresistibly gooey—these apple dumplings are comfort baking at its finest. 🍎✨
