Pioneer Woman’s Apple Dumplings – A Buttery, Sweet Classic

Few desserts capture the heart of comfort food quite like Pioneer Woman’s Apple Dumplings. Warm, flaky, buttery, and drenched in a rich cinnamon-sugar sauce—these dumplings are not only easy to make, but they’re also outrageously delicious. Made with store-bought crescent roll dough, fresh apples, and a surprising ingredient—Mountain Dew soda—this recipe has earned cult status among home bakers.

Whether you’re a fan of Ree Drummond’s down-home cooking or just love a rustic dessert that’s foolproof and satisfying, these dumplings are a must-try. This recipe has been a staple on The Pioneer Woman’s Food Network page and has inspired countless versions across the web thanks to its simplicity and addictive flavor.

If you’re new to working with crescent rolls in dessert recipes, you might want to brush up with this handy beginner’s guide to baking with canned dough, which gives insight on shaping, sealing, and elevating store-bought dough for perfect results every time.

What Makes These Apple Dumplings So Special?

The magic of Pioneer Woman’s Apple Dumplings is in the unexpected combination of everyday ingredients that come together to make something truly extraordinary.

Crescent roll dough wraps around tart apple wedges.
A bath of melted butter, sugar, and cinnamon soaks into the dough while baking.
The addition of lemon-lime soda creates a luscious caramel-like sauce that bubbles around the dumplings.

It’s sweet, sticky, and buttery perfection with very little prep time—and the texture contrast between the tender apples, flaky crust, and gooey syrup is nothing short of addictive.

Ingredients for Pioneer Woman’s Apple Dumplings

This recipe uses pantry staples, making it ideal for whipping up a cozy dessert without a trip to the store.

For the Dumplings:

2 whole Granny Smith apples
2 cans (8 oz each) refrigerated crescent rolls
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 can (12 oz) Mountain Dew or similar citrus soda

️ How to Make Apple Dumplings – Step by Step

Follow these steps for a foolproof baking experience, even if you’re new to the kitchen.

1. Preheat & Prep

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Peel and core the apples, then slice each into 8 wedges—16 total pieces.

2. Wrap the Apples

Separate the crescent roll dough into triangles.
Roll each apple slice in one triangle and place in a buttered 9×13-inch baking dish.

3. Make the Sauce

Melt butter in a small saucepan.
Stir in the sugar (no need to dissolve completely), vanilla, and cinnamon.

4. Assemble & Pour

Pour the butter mixture evenly over the dumplings.
Gently pour the Mountain Dew around the edges and over the top. Don’t mix!

5. Bake

Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the tops are golden and the sauce is bubbling.

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