This is one of my absolute favorite desserts is my Mountain Dew apple dumplings recipe. Served piping hot contrasted with an unreasonably large scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Cutting through that crispy crust and taking a bite of these tender apple dumplings is pure heaven!
If you are in the mood for more delicious apple desserts, see my apple muffin recipe and apple cinnamon crockpot oatmeal.
Why Mountain Dew in Dessert?
At first glance, it sounds strange — soda in a dessert? But the citrusy fizz of the Mountain Dew works its way into the crescent rolls, creating a lightly crisp exterior and a syrupy, caramel-like sauce that bubbles up as it bakes. It keeps the dumplings from drying out and gives them a glossy finish.
If you don’t have Mountain Dew don’t feel discouraged. Sprite or 7UP will work too! The key is the sweetness and carbonation.
Ingredient Highlights: Granny Smith Apples
The best apples for these dumplings are Granny Smith. Their tart bite perfectly balances the sweetness of the sugar, butter, and soda. They also hold their shape well during baking, so you get tender apple slices that aren’t mushy.
Apple Type Variations
- Golden Delicious: Softer, sweeter, and bakes up beautifully.
- Honeycrisp: Slightly firmer and very juicy. A great balance of tart and sweet if you don’t like your desserts overly sweet.
- Pink Lady: More tart, with a floral sweetness that pairs perfectly with cinnamon for something more fall-themed.
Basically, any firm, tart apple will do, just avoid varieties that turn to mush in the oven like McIntosh.
If you have leftover Granny Smith apples, use in these mini apple hand pies!
Top Tips for Mountain Dew Apple Dumplings
Don’t skip the tart apples. Granny Smiths are best because their tartness balances the sweet syrup. If you use a sweeter apple, reduce the sugar slightly to avoid an overly sweet dessert.
Seal the dough well. Pinch the crescent dough tightly around each apple wedge so the filling stays snug and the dumplings bake up neat and golden.
Pour the soda around, not on top. Adding Mountain Dew around the edges keeps the crust crisp while still creating that bubbly caramel-like sauce.
Use cold butter. When melting butter for the syrup, start with cold butter to avoid separating. This helps the sauce bake into the dumplings more evenly.
Check halfway through baking. If the tops are browning too quickly, lightly tent the pan with foil for the last 10–15 minutes.
What to do with Apple Dumpling Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers. I think it has happened many once in the many times I have made it. Store them in their original baking dish covered with foil or transfer them to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
To reheat: warm them in the oven at 325°F until heated through. You can also microwave a single dumpling for 30–40 seconds, though the crust won’t be as crisp.
Pro tip:
Drizzle leftover syrup over my greek yogurt vanilla spelt pancakes or waffles for an out-of-this-world breakfast!
Mountain Dew Apple Dumplings
These mountain dew apple dumplings are made with country Granny Smith apples, crescent rolls, and Mountain Dew. One of my favorite desserts!
Ingredients
- 2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and cored
- 2 10 oz. cans of refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 1 cup butter
- 1.5 cups white sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 12 oz. can of Mountain Dew
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F
- Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Cut each apple into 8 wedges and set aside.
- Separate the crescent roll dough. Roll each apple wedge in crescent roll dough starting at the smallest end. Pinch to seal and arrange evenly in the baking dish.
- Melt butter in a small saucepan and stir in the sugar and cinnamon. Pour over the apple dumplings.
- Next, pour Mountain Dew over the dumplings.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1 gramsAmount Per Serving: Unsaturated Fat: 0g
