Get ready to experience the comforting flavors of fall with these Cinnamon Apple Dumplings. They're a delightful blend of sweet and tart, wrapped in buttery crescent roll dough, and baked to perfection. Whether you're serving them for a special occasion or a cozy night in, these dumplings are sure to impress.
The base of this recipe is the humble Granny Smith apple, known for its tart flavor and firm texture, which holds up beautifully during baking. The crescent roll dough acts as a flaky, buttery blanket for each apple slice, making the dumplings irresistibly tender and golden. We use unsalted butter to control the saltiness and create a rich sauce with the help of granulated sugar for sweetness. Ground cinnamon adds warmth and depth, while vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor profile. Orange juice introduces a subtle tang and keeps the sauce vibrant, and a pinch of salt balances the sweetness.
These dumplings pair beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, which melts enticingly over the warm apples. For a more sophisticated touch, consider serving them with a dollop of crème fraîche or a drizzle of caramel sauce. A side of roasted nuts can add a delightful crunch to the soft, tender dumplings.
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and ensure your baking dish is greased to prevent sticking. As the oven warms, prepare the apples: peel, core, and slice them into 8 wedges each. This gives you a total of 16 slices, perfect for our dough pieces.
Now, take your crescent roll dough and carefully roll each apple slice within a triangle of dough, making sure to seal it snugly. This will ensure the filling stays put as it bakes. Arrange these little parcels in your greased baking dish.
Next, it’s time to make the sauce. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, stir in the sugar, cinnamon, orange juice, vanilla, and salt. Keep stirring until the sugar dissolves completely, creating a smooth, aromatic sauce.
Pour this luscious sauce evenly over your wrapped apples in the dish, ensuring each dumpling gets a generous coating. Pop the dish into your preheated oven and let it bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the dumplings turn a perfect golden brown and the sauce bubbles invitingly.
Once out of the oven, allow the dish to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving, giving the sauce time to thicken slightly and the flavors to meld beautifully.
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