Caramel Apple Dumplings Recipe
Picture this: warm, tender apples baked beneath golden pastry, all nestled in a bubbling caramel bath and served with a melting scoop of vanilla ice cream. That’s what you get with my Caramel Apple Dumplings Recipe—a decadent treat that brings together everything we love about homemade desserts. With simple ingredients and a cozy kitchen aroma, this dish will quickly become your go-to for family gatherings or a sweet weeknight finale.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of the Caramel Apple Dumplings Recipe is in how effortlessly the ingredients come together. Every pantry staple here plays its part, from bold apples to creamy caramel, creating layers of flavor and texture that just melt in your mouth.
- Granny Smith apples: Their tartness balances the sweetness and helps the filling hold its shape while baking.
- Refrigerated crescent roll dough: This shortcut gives you buttery, flaky layers without any fuss.
- Unsalted butter: Melted butter enriches the sauce and helps the dumplings bake up golden and glossy.
- Granulated sugar: The backbone of sweetness in both filling and caramel sauce.
- Brown sugar: Adds a deep, molasses-y richness for an irresistible caramel undertone.
- Ground cinnamon: The ultimate apple spice, bringing warmth and depth.
- Ground nutmeg: Just a pinch for subtle, fragrant complexity.
- Vanilla extract: Adds that classic bakery aroma and rounds out the sweetness.
- Apple cider or lemon-lime soda: Choose either—both help the sauce get bubbly and luscious.
- Caramel sauce: A finishing touch that soaks every bite in gooey goodness (plus more for serving, naturally).
- Vanilla ice cream (optional): The ultimate dreamy pairing for serving warm dumplings.
How to Make Caramel Apple Dumplings Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Dish
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Give your 9×13-inch baking dish a generous greasing—this step keeps the dumplings from sticking and allows them to soak up all that delicious caramel sauce while baking!
Step 2: Slice and Wrap the Apples
Peel and core your Granny Smith apples, then cut each into four wedges. Unroll the crescent dough and separate it into eight triangles. Take each apple slice and roll it up in a crescent triangle, starting from the wider end and working toward the tip, wrapping that apple like a snug little blanket.
Step 3: Assemble the Dumplings
Place each wrapped dumpling seam-side down in the prepared baking dish. Make sure they have a bit of space, as the sauce will bubble up around them, bathing each in gooey caramel as they bake.
Step 4: Make the Buttery Spiced Topping
In a small bowl, melt the butter (I do this on the stove or in the microwave—it’s your call). Stir in the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract until you have a thick, fragrant mixture. Spoon this over and around your apple dumplings, letting some drizzle down between them.
Step 5: Add Cider and Caramel
Carefully pour the apple cider or lemon-lime soda around the edges of the dumplings, making sure not to pour directly on top (this keeps the topping from washing away). Then, take your caramel sauce and drizzle it all over the tops for that signature glossy finish.
Step 6: Bake and Serve
Pop your dish into the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the pastry is golden and the sauce is bubbling thick around the edges. Let them cool just long enough so you don’t burn your tongue. Serve the Caramel Apple Dumplings Recipe warm, drizzled with extra caramel sauce and a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream if you like.
How to Serve Caramel Apple Dumplings Recipe
Garnishes
Dress up your Caramel Apple Dumplings Recipe with a final flourish: a drizzle of warm caramel sauce, a pinch of flaky sea salt, or even a little dusting of powdered sugar right before serving. A scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream makes this dessert blissfully decadent.
Side Dishes
Since these dumplings are the star of the show, light accompaniments work best. Try pairing them with hot apple cider, chai tea, or a simple herbal tea to balance the sweetness. If you’re serving a crowd, a crisp green salad beforehand is a lovely, refreshing prelude.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider serving each dumpling in a ramekin to catch all that caramel—or arrange them family-style in the baking dish for guests to help themselves. Add a cinnamon stick as a playful garnish or swirl caramel on each dessert plate for a dramatic, restaurant-worthy look.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have extra dumplings (lucky you!), tuck them away in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The Caramel Apple Dumplings Recipe stays moist and flavorful for up to three days, and the caramel sauce turns even gooier after chilling.
Freezing
You can freeze the fully baked dumplings by wrapping them individually and storing in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Their texture holds up surprisingly well, so you can enjoy this cozy treat even weeks later.
Reheating
Warm up individual dumplings in the microwave for 30–40 seconds, or reheat several together in a 325°F oven until thoroughly heated. Add a fresh drizzle of caramel sauce and a scoop of ice cream so no one will ever guess they weren’t just baked!
FAQs
Can I use a different type Dessert
Absolutely! While Granny Smith apples are my go-to for that perfect tart snap, feel free to substitute with Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala apples if you want a sweeter filling. Just make sure to use apples that hold up well in baking.
What’s the best caramel sauce to use?
Store-bought caramel sauce works beautifully for convenience, but if you’re feeling adventurous, homemade caramel brings a truly luxe touch. Either way, make sure it’s thick and pourable so it swirls over the dumplings with gusto.
Can I make the Caramel Apple Dumplings Recipe gluten free?
Yes, you can! Swap the crescent roll dough for your favorite gluten-free pie dough or gluten-free puff pastry. Just be gentle when wrapping the apples, as gluten-free doughs can be more delicate.
Can I reduce the sugar for a lighter version?
Definitely. For a less sweet take, you can cut down the sugar by as much as 1/4 cup without losing flavor. The apples and caramel still shine, just with a softer sweetness.
Is it possible to prepare the dumplings in advance?
You bet! Assemble the dumplings and prepare the sauce up to 8 hours ahead. Store, covered, in the fridge, and bake just before serving for maximum freshness and warm, bubbling caramel.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving fall flavors or just need a pick-me-up dessert that’s easy yet show-stopping, give this Caramel Apple Dumplings Recipe a try. It’s comfort food at its finest, and there’s nothing like sharing that irresistible aroma (and a tray of gooey dumplings) with your favorite people. Happy baking!
Print
Caramel Apple Dumplings Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 dumplings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delicious combination of sweet caramel, tart apples, and warm spices with these irresistible Caramel Apple Dumplings. Perfect for a cozy fall dessert or any time you crave a comforting treat.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 2 large Granny Smith apples (peeled and cored)
- 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup apple cider (or lemon-lime soda)
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce (plus more for serving)
- vanilla ice cream (for serving, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Prepare the apples: Cut each apple into 4 wedges. Unroll the crescent dough and wrap each apple slice in a crescent roll triangle.
- Make the sauce: Mix melted butter, sugars, spices, and vanilla. Pour over the dumplings.
- Add liquid: Pour apple cider (or soda) around the edges. Drizzle caramel sauce over the top.
- Bake: Bake for 35–40 minutes until golden and bubbling.
- Serve: Enjoy warm with extra caramel sauce and ice cream if desired.
Notes
- For a less sweet version, reduce the sugar by 1/4 cup.
- You can use homemade pie dough instead of crescent rolls for a more rustic texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 dumpling
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
