Craving a dessert that’s both incredibly easy to make and utterly delicious? Look no further than these Pioneer Woman Mountain Dew Apple Dumplings! This recipe, inspired by the queen of home cooking herself, Ree Drummond, takes a classic dessert and gives it a fun, unexpected twist with a secret ingredient: Mountain Dew soda. Don’t let the soda fool you – it creates a magical syrup that perfectly complements the sweet apples and flaky crescent roll dough.
White dessert plate with several apple dumplings and a big scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.
If you’re a fan of simple yet impressive desserts, this Mountain Dew apple dumplings recipe is about to become your new favorite. It’s perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or simply a cozy night in. And the best part? You probably already have most of the ingredients in your pantry!
The Magic of Mountain Dew in Apple Dumplings
You might be raising an eyebrow at the thought of soda in a dessert, but trust us on this. The Pioneer Woman apple dumplings with Mountain Dew are a revelation. Instead of being incorporated into the dough, the Mountain Dew is poured around the dumplings as they bake. This creates a luscious, caramelized syrup that coats the bottom of the pan and infuses the dumplings with a subtle sweetness and tang.
Think of it like a shortcut to a caramel sauce, but with a unique citrusy note that enhances the apple and cinnamon flavors. It’s a brilliant baking hack that makes these easy apple dumplings truly stand out. If you’ve tried soda in cakes before, like Coca Cola cake or 7 Up pound cake, you know the magic it can bring to baked goods. This recipe takes that concept and applies it to a comforting, classic dessert.
Why This Recipe Works
This Pioneer Woman Mountain Dew apple dumpling recipe is a winner for several reasons:
- Ease of Preparation: Using refrigerated crescent roll dough cuts down on prep time significantly. No need to make dough from scratch!
- Simple Ingredients: You likely have most of these ingredients on hand – apples, butter, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, crescent rolls, and of course, Mountain Dew.
- Delicious Flavor Combination: The combination of sweet apples, warm cinnamon, buttery sauce, and that unique Mountain Dew syrup is simply irresistible.
- Crowd-Pleasing: Everyone loves apple dumplings, and this version with the secret ingredient is sure to impress.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: From weeknight desserts to holiday gatherings, these dumplings fit right in.
Ingredients for Pioneer Woman Mountain Dew Apple Dumplings
You only need a handful of ingredients to whip up these delightful Mountain Dew apple dumplings Pioneer Woman style:
- 2 large Granny Smith Apples: These apples are tart and hold their shape well during baking, making them perfect for dumplings.
- 2 cans (8 ounces each) Refrigerated Crescent Rolls: The shortcut to easy and flaky dumplings.
- 1 cup plus 2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, divided: Butter is essential for both the sauce and greasing the pan.
- 1 ½ cups Granulated Sugar: For sweetness in the sauce.
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor of the dessert.
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon: Warm spice that complements apples beautifully.
- 1 cup Mountain Dew: The secret ingredient that creates the amazing syrup.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making Pioneer Woman apple dumplings with Mountain Dew is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Baking Dish.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 13×9-inch baking dish with 2 tablespoons of butter. Set it aside.
Step 2: Prepare the Apples.
Peel and core the Granny Smith apples. Cut each apple into 8 slices.
Step 3: Assemble the Dumplings.
Unroll the crescent roll dough and separate the triangles. Roll one apple slice in each crescent roll triangle, starting at the wide end and rolling to the point. Place each dumpling in the buttered baking dish.
Step 4: Make the Sauce.
In a small saucepan, melt 1 cup of butter with the granulated sugar over medium heat. Stir just until the butter is melted and the sugar is mostly dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 5: Pour and Bake.
Pour the butter-sugar mixture evenly over the crescent rolls in the baking dish. Then, carefully pour the Mountain Dew around the edges of the pan only, not over the dumplings themselves. Sprinkle the tops of the dumplings with cinnamon.
Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection.
Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the tops of the dumplings are golden brown and the crescent rolls are fully cooked. The sauce in the pan will become bubbly and syrupy.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy!
Let the dumplings cool slightly before serving. Spoon some of the delicious sauce from the pan over each dumpling. For an extra treat, serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or homemade whipped cream.
Baked Pioneer Woman Mountain Dew Apple Dumplings with a golden brown crust and a rich, bubbly sauce.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Apple Dumplings
To ensure your Pioneer Woman Mountain Dew apple dumplings are a success, keep these tips in mind:
- Don’t Soggy the Dough: It’s crucial to pour the Mountain Dew around the edges of the pan, not directly over the dumplings. This prevents the crescent roll dough from becoming soggy and ensures it bakes to a golden brown.
- Use Real Mountain Dew: For the best flavor, use regular Mountain Dew. Diet soda is not recommended for this recipe. In a pinch, Sprite can be used as a substitute.
- Pan Size Matters: Use a 13×9-inch baking dish or similar size. Don’t use a smaller pan as the dumplings need space to bake properly and for the sauce to develop.
- Serving Suggestions: While these dumplings are delicious on their own, they are even better with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or homemade whipped cream. The cold creaminess perfectly complements the warm, sweet dumplings and sauce.
- Storage: Store leftover apple dumplings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave before serving.
More Delicious Apple Dessert Recipes
If you love apple desserts as much as we do, here are a few more recipes you might enjoy:
- Classic Apple Pie: A timeless dessert that’s always a hit.
- Apple Cinnamon Bread: Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack.
- Fried Apples: A quick and easy way to enjoy cooked apples with cinnamon and butter.
- Peach Dumplings: Another delicious dumpling variation using peaches instead of apples.
These Pioneer Woman Mountain Dew Apple Dumplings are a fun and easy way to bake a comforting and flavorful dessert. The unexpected ingredient of Mountain Dew creates a unique syrup that elevates this classic recipe to a whole new level of deliciousness. Give this recipe a try, and you’ll be amazed at how simple and satisfying it is!
