If you’re craving an easy, warm dessert that’s bursting with cozy flavors, you’re in for a treat. I absolutely love this Apple Dumplings with Cinnamon-Sugar and Sprite Glaze Recipe because it combines tender apples wrapped in buttery dough with a sweet, bubbly glaze that makes every bite feel like a hug from your oven. Whether you’re making this for a family gathering or a simple weeknight dessert, it comes together fast and delivers incredible comfort in every mouthful.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No Fuss, All Flavor: It’s basically one of the easiest desserts I’ve made that tastes like a classic homemade treat.
- That Sprite Glaze Magic: The Sprite adds a lovely, light sweetness and helps create a glossy, caramelized finish.
- Perfectly Balanced Cinnamon-Sugar: A sweet, spiced coating that feels just right without overwhelming the apple’s tartness.
- Family Favorite: My crew goes crazy for these — they’re great warm out of the oven, especially with vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients work together beautifully—a tender, tart apple wrapped in buttery dough, topped with a sweet cinnamon-sugar mix and coated in a fizzy Sprite glaze. When you pick your apple, aim for tart and firm varieties, and keep your crescent rolls refrigerated until you’re ready to roll.
- Firm, tart apple: Granny Smith is my go-to; it holds up well in baking and balances the sugar wonderfully.
- Refrigerated crescent roll dough: Using pre-made dough saves you so much time while still giving that classic flaky finish.
- Unsalted butter: Melted to pour over for rich flavor without adding unwanted salt.
- Sugar: Regular granulated sugar works perfectly to sweeten and caramelize.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds that warm, cozy spice that pairs perfectly with apples.
- All-purpose flour: A small addition to thicken the glaze and help it stick beautifully.
- Sprite: The secret ingredient for a bubbly, crisp glaze that elevates the whole dessert.
Variations
I love mixing things up with this Apple Dumplings with Cinnamon-Sugar and Sprite Glaze Recipe depending on the season or what I have on hand. Personalizing it makes it feel like your own specialty dessert.
- Use different apples: Fuji or Honeycrisp add a sweeter, juicier bite if you prefer less tartness.
- Add nuts: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts inside the crescent roll before rolling for a lovely crunch.
- Switch up the glaze: Instead of Sprite, try ginger ale for a spiced twist or lemon-lime soda for extra zing.
- Make it vegan: Swap butter for a plant-based alternative and check dough ingredients to keep this vegan-friendly.
How to Make Apple Dumplings with Cinnamon-Sugar and Sprite Glaze Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lightly spray your baking dish (I use an 8×8-inch). Next, core and peel the apple—it’s so much easier with one of those apple slicers! I get perfectly even slices with just one quick motion, which saves time and keeps everything looking neat.
Step 2: Wrap Each Apple Slice
Unroll your crescent dough and lay it flat. Place an apple slice on the wide end of the triangle, then roll it up snugly toward the point. This part is super satisfying. Arrange each wrapped apple snugly into your baking dish—this helps them bake evenly and keeps the glaze from seeping out too much.
Step 3: Mix Up the Cinnamon-Sugar Glaze
In a bowl, combine melted butter, sugar, cinnamon, and flour. Stir until just mixed—you want a nice thick, spreadable mixture. Spoon this evenly over each dumpling, coating the tops and sides generously. This combo is what brings that irresistible caramelized flavor.
Step 4: Add the Sprite and Bake
Carefully pour the Sprite around the dumplings in the empty spaces of your baking dish. This fizz helps create a light, shiny glaze. Pop the whole dish in your preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the dumplings turn a beautiful golden brown. You’ll know they’re ready when the cinnamon-sugar glaze bubbles and the dough is baked through.
Step 5: Serve Warm and Enjoy
These dumplings are incredible served warm, especially with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the melding of warm apples, flaky pastry, and sweet glaze in every bite.
Pro Tips for Making Apple Dumplings with Cinnamon-Sugar and Sprite Glaze Recipe
- Use a Tart Apple: I discovered this trick early on – tart apples like Granny Smith hold their shape better and balance the sweetness of the glaze perfectly.
- Don’t Over-Bake: Keep an eye starting at 35 minutes; overbaking dries the dough. You want golden brown and bubbly glaze, not crusty edges.
- Even Spacing Matters: Leaving small gaps between dumplings helps the Sprite spread evenly and creates that beautiful glaze all around.
- Brush the Glaze on Layers: You can brush some cinnamon-sugar mixture on the dough before rolling the apple slice for an extra cinnamon kick and moist swirl.
How to Serve Apple Dumplings with Cinnamon-Sugar and Sprite Glaze Recipe
Garnishes
I love to top these dumplings with a big scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and maybe a light dusting of extra cinnamon. If I’m feeling fancy, a drizzle of caramel sauce adds another layer of indulgence. Fresh whipped cream works just as well, especially when you want something fluffy and light on top.
Side Dishes
This dessert pairs beautifully with a warm cup of coffee or spiced chai tea. If you’re serving it for brunch, I like to offer some crispy bacon or savory breakfast sausage alongside — sweet and savory is my favorite combo!
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday dinners, I’ve arranged these apple dumplings in a rustic cast-iron skillet with fresh apple slices scattered around for an inviting centerpiece. Wrapping each in a pie crust instead of crescent rolls is a fun twist that impresses guests at gatherings. For a party, consider serving mini versions in muffin tins—bite-sized bites of deliciousness!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually cover leftovers with foil and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you store them chilled, the glaze thickens, and the flavors actually deepen overnight, which I think tastes wonderful.
Freezing
To freeze, I wrap individual dumplings tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. They freeze surprisingly well for up to 2 months. Just thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheating
I reheat leftovers by placing them in a 325°F oven for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through and the glaze is bubbly again. Microwave works in a pinch, but you lose that lovely crispness on the dough edges.
FAQs
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Can I use other types of soda instead of Sprite for the glaze?
Absolutely! While Sprite gives a clean lemon-lime sweetness, ginger ale or even club soda with a little extra sugar can work. Just keep the flavors mild so they don’t overpower the cinnamon-sugar and apple.
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What if I don’t have a crescent roll dough can I use pie crust instead?
Yes! Pie crust is a great alternative and adds a slightly different texture with that flakier, sturdier bite. Just cut it into triangles similar to crescent rolls before wrapping the apple slices.
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How do I prevent the dough from getting soggy?
Rolling the apple slices tightly in the dough helps keep moisture in check. Also, make sure your baking dish is well-sprayed, and avoid overcrowding the dumplings to allow for even heat circulation.
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Can I make this recipe ahead of time and bake later?
Definitely! Assemble the dumplings and prepare the glaze, then cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add the Sprite and bake just before serving for fresh, warm results.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this Apple Dumplings with Cinnamon-Sugar and Sprite Glaze Recipe has become one of my go-to desserts whenever I want something quick but impressive. There’s something so comforting about the combination of warm spices, tender apples, and that fizzy glaze that brings a smile to everyone at the table. I hope you’ll give it a try—it’s easy to make, feels special, and is perfect for sharing with friends and family. Trust me, once you make these, they’ll become a favorite in your house too.
Print
Apple Dumplings with Cinnamon-Sugar and Sprite Glaze Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings, 8 dumplings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Apple Dumplings are a classic, comforting dessert featuring tender, cinnamon-spiced apple slices wrapped in flaky crescent roll dough, baked to golden perfection and soaked with a sweet buttery glaze and citrusy Sprite. Served warm, they make a perfect treat alongside whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients
Apple Dumplings
- 1 firm, tart apple (such as Granny Smith)
- 1 (8-ounce) refrigerated crescent roll dough (8-count)
Glaze
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Additional
- 6 oz Sprite soda
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly spray an 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Apple Slices: Core and peel the apple, then slice it into eight equal wedges. Using an apple slicer makes this step quick and uniform.
- Wrap Apple in Dough: Open the can of crescent roll dough and unroll it. Place one apple slice at the wide end of each crescent dough triangle and roll it up neatly around the apple slice.
- Arrange in Baking Dish: Place each wrapped apple slice seam-side down into the prepared baking dish, arranging them evenly.
- Make the Glaze: In a small bowl, combine melted butter, sugar, ground cinnamon, and all-purpose flour. Mix until just combined to create a sweet spiced glaze.
- Apply Glaze: Spoon the glaze mixture evenly over each wrapped apple roll in the baking dish.
- Add Sprite: Pour the 6 ounces of Sprite soda into the empty spaces between the apple dumplings in the pan. This adds sweetness and moisture as it bakes.
- Bake: Bake the dumplings in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve warm, optionally accompanied by fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for a delicious finishing touch.
Notes
- Using a tart apple like Granny Smith balances the sweetness of the glaze and dough.
- You can substitute lemon-lime soda other than Sprite if preferred, but it adds a unique citrus flavor and caramelization.
- For extra crispiness, place dumplings on a wire rack over the baking dish to allow steam to escape.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat gently before serving.
- This recipe yields 8 individual apple dumplings, ideally served as single portions.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 dumpling
- Calories: 299 kcal
- Sugar: 26 g
- Sodium: 227 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 31 mg
