Easy Caramel Apple Dumplings with Cinnamon Sugar
Easy caramel apple dumplings made with frozen bread dough, caramel apple pie filling, butter, and cinnamon sugar.
There are some desserts that just seem to belong on Backyard Texas Grill, and these little caramel apple dumplings are definitely one of them. They're not fancy or fussy. They're warm, rustic, a little messy, and exactly the sort of sweet treat you'd expect to find at the end of a cozy country supper.
Remember The Apple Dumpling Gang?
If the words “apple dumplings” immediately make you think of an old Disney movie, you might be a child of the ’60s or ’70s! The Apple Dumpling Gang was a 1975 Disney Western comedy starring Bill Bixby, Susan Clark, Don Knotts, and Tim Conway. The story follows three orphaned children who unexpectedly strike gold—and the bumbling assortment of adults and outlaws who get tangled up in the adventure.
The movie doesn't really have much to do with the dessert, but that title certainly helped make “apple dumplings” unforgettable for a whole generation. And honestly, it's hard to hear those words without picturing Don Knotts and Tim Conway getting themselves into trouble. If you're serving these warm apple dumplings on a cozy family movie night, you know what belongs on the watch list. 😄
I made these sweet treats on the same evening we were waiting for Tropical Storm Eduardo to move through South Texas. I'd already decided that if I was going to hunker down at home, I wanted comfort food.
The Storm Blew in a Great Meal!
I made a big pot of Pasta Fagioli, some warm buttered dinner rolls, and a bowl of Italian Chopped Coleslaw with Pepperoni and Mozzarella. And because I happened to have some caramel apple pie filling left over in the refrigerator, dessert practically decided itself.
I'd already thawed and risen a batch of Rhodes frozen dinner rolls, so I started wondering what would happen if I turned some of those fluffy little yeast rolls into individual apple dumplings.
As it turns out, very good things happen.
These came out golden and puffy with warm caramel apples tucked inside, a buttery cinnamon-sugar coating on top, and a drizzle of caramel sauce to finish them off. They were simple, homey, and absolutely delicious.
Easy Apple Dumplings with Frozen Bread Dough
Most apple dumpling recipes start with pie crust, crescent rolls, biscuits, or homemade pastry. This recipe is a little different because we're starting with frozen yeast dinner rolls.
I used Rhodes frozen rolls, allowed them to rise in a muffin tin, then transformed each one into its own little caramel apple dumpling.
I'll warn you right now: this is not an especially neat process.
Once I cut an X into the risen dough, those beautifully puffed rolls deflated a bit. For a second I wondered what I'd gotten myself into. But yeast dough is remarkably forgiving.
I simply worked with them one at a time, lifting each piece of dough slightly out of its muffin cup and gently stretching it until I had enough room for the filling. After that, it was butter, cinnamon sugar, caramel apples, and a little pinching and tucking.
Don't worry about making yours perfect. Mine certainly weren't. That's part of their country charm.
Why You'll Love These Caramel Apple Dumplings
First, they're incredibly simple. Frozen bread dough does most of the work for you, and prepared caramel apple pie filling eliminates peeling, chopping, and cooking fresh apples.
They're also individually portioned. Baking the dumplings in a muffin tin gives everyone his or her own little caramel apple treat.
And that yeast dough is something special. Instead of a flaky pie-crust dumpling, you get a soft, fluffy, slightly chewy bread surrounding that gooey caramel apple center. The cinnamon sugar gives the outside a sweet, lightly crisp coating.
Add a drizzle of caramel topping while they're still warm and you've got a very easy fall dessert that tastes like you worked much harder than you did.
Ingredients
You'll find a full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post but here's a glance at what you're going to need. These are such simple ingredients!
- 12 frozen Rhodes dinner rolls
- About ¾ cup caramel apple pie filling
- 2–3 tablespoons butter, melted
- About ¼ cup cinnamon sugar, divided
- Caramel ice cream topping, for drizzling
You'll find a printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
A Note About the Caramel Apple Filling
I used leftover caramel apple pie filling, and it was absolutely perfect for these.
Before filling the dumplings, I gave the apples a rough chop. Smaller pieces are much easier to tuck into the dough than large apple slices, and you still get plenty of apple in every bite.
If your filling has especially large pieces, definitely take a minute to chop them before you begin.
How to Make Caramel Apple Dumplings
Start by lightly greasing a standard 12-cup muffin tin. Place one frozen dinner roll into each muffin cup. Cover and allow the rolls to thaw and rise according to the package directions. You want them nicely puffed before you begin filling them.
Once the rolls have risen, preheat your oven to 350°F. Working with one roll at a time, cut a deep X into the top. Don't cut all the way through the bottom. And yes, your beautiful risen roll might deflate. It's okay!
Carefully lift the dough slightly from the muffin cup and gently stretch and open it with your fingers. You're simply creating enough room in the center to hold the apples. Brush the dough with melted butter, then sprinkle it with cinnamon sugar.
Add a generous spoonful of the roughly chopped caramel apple pie filling to the center.
Bring the cut edges of the dough up and around the filling and pinch them together as best you can. Don't worry if some of the apples remain visible. I actually loved the dumplings that opened slightly during baking because you could see the bubbling caramel apples inside.
Brush or dab the top with a little more melted butter, then finish with another sprinkling of cinnamon sugar.
Repeat with the remaining rolls. Again, this is a messy process!
Bake at 350°F for 18 minutes, or until the dumplings are puffed and beautifully golden brown.
Allow them to cool for a few minutes, then drizzle with caramel topping while they're still warm.
What to Expect from These Caramel Apple Dumplings
These are somewhere between an old-fashioned apple dumpling, a stuffed yeast roll, and a cinnamon-sugar pastry.
The bread dough gets golden on the outside but stays wonderfully soft and fluffy inside. Then you hit that pocket of warm apple filling with all of its gooey caramel goodness.
The cinnamon sugar was especially nice because some of it melted into the butter while some remained on the surface, giving the dumplings a little extra texture.
And don't skip serving them warm if you can help it. That's when the fluffy bread, soft apples, cinnamon, and caramel really shine.
Don't Worry if They're a Little Messy
I want to emphasize this because I can already picture somebody halfway through this recipe staring at twelve deflated rolls and wondering if they've ruined dessert.
You haven't.
Once risen yeast dough is cut and handled, it naturally loses some of its air. Mine did, too.
Just gently stretch each piece of dough, fill it, and pinch it back together. They puff right back up in the oven.
And there's no need to make twelve identical little packages. Some of mine were closed more tightly than others, and some allowed the apple filling to peek through. Once they were baked and covered with cinnamon sugar and caramel, those imperfections made them look even more delicious.
This is supposed to be a simple country dessert, not a pastry-school exam.
Easy Variations
I can think of so many ways to play with this basic recipe.
Add pecans or walnuts: Sprinkle some finely chopped pecans or walnuts over the apple filling before closing the dough. Pecans would be especially good with the caramel.
Add dried cranberries: A few Craisins mixed into the apple filling would add another chewy, sweet-tart element and would be especially nice during the holidays.
Try cherry pie filling: I actually had cherry filling in the pantry when I made these and seriously considered using it. Cherry dumplings made the same way would be delicious. Skip the cinnamon if you prefer and finish them with a simple vanilla or almond glaze.
Try another pie filling: Peach, blueberry, or blackberry filling could all work. Just chop any large fruit pieces so they're easy to enclose.
Add a glaze: I used store-bought caramel topping because I already had some in the refrigerator, but a simple powdered-sugar glaze would be wonderful, too.
Make them extra decadent: Serve a warm dumpling with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzle the whole thing with caramel sauce.
That last one might require a fork and a very comfortable chair.
What to Serve with Caramel Apple Dumplings
These are easy enough for an ordinary family dinner but would also be great for a fall cookout, tailgate, potluck, or casual holiday meal.
The night I made them, they were the finishing touch on our storm-night comfort-food supper. We had Pasta Fagioli, warm buttered dinner rolls, and Italian Chopped Coleslaw before digging into these for dessert.
It wasn't a fancy meal. But sitting down to a warm bowl of soup, homemade sides, and a gooey caramel apple dessert made me forget about the weather outside for a while.
And those are often my favorite meals—the ones that simply make you feel at home.
How to Store the Dumplings
Store leftover dumplings covered or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days because of the fruit filling.
Reheat one briefly in the microwave or warm several in a low oven until the center is heated through.
If you're adding caramel sauce, I recommend adding a fresh drizzle after reheating rather than loading them up with extra sauce before storing.
More Easy Bread and Dessert Ideas
If you love easy recipes made with shortcut dough, be sure to check out some of the other simple breads and treats here at Backyard Texas Grill.
And don't forget to try the Pasta Fagioli and Italian Chopped Coleslaw that shared the table with these little dumplings. Together, they made one seriously comforting meal.
- The Perfect Texas Toast Bread
- Cheesy Garlic Bread on the Grill
- Perfect Texas DInner Rolls
- Cast-Iron 2-Ingredient Biscuits
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Frozen yeast dinner rolls make wonderfully soft, fluffy apple dumplings. Allow the dough to thaw and rise before filling it.
No. Another comparable frozen yeast dinner-roll dough should work, though thawing, rising, and baking times may vary by brand.
That's normal. Cutting and stretching risen yeast dough releases some of the trapped gas. The dough will rise again as it bakes.
Plan on roughly 1 tablespoon per roll. Don't overfill them or they'll be difficult to close.
If the filling contains large apple slices, yes. Roughly chopping the apples makes the dumplings much easier to fill and eat.
Absolutely. Caramel apple filling gives this version extra richness, but regular apple filling will work. You can always add caramel topping after baking.
Yes. Cherry, peach, blueberry, or blackberry would all be fun variations.
Don't worry about it. Pinch the dough together as well as you can. A little filling peeking through the top is perfectly fine and looks beautiful once baked.
Yes. A simple powdered-sugar glaze would be delicious. You could flavor it with vanilla, maple, or a tiny bit of almond extract depending on the fruit filling you choose.
Thanks for Stopping By!
If you make these simple and delicious apple dumplings and enjoy them please leave a comment or review. And before you go, please pin some photos to your Pinterest boards. (Those pins help us so much!)
Hey, I'm Janice!
It's great to have you here. I'm part of the team here at Backyard Texas Grill. If there's something sweet on the menu? Well, I'm usually the one making it.
Thanks for stopping by! We hope you enjoy this delicious recipe!
Easy Caramel Apple Dumplings with Cinnamon sugar
Easy apple dumplings made with flaky canned biscuits and a sweet caramel apple filling, then brushed with butter and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. These simple country-style treats bake up golden, gooey, and delicious—especially served warm with ice cream.
Ingredients
- 12 frozen Rhodes dinner rolls
- ¾ cup caramel apple pie filling, roughly chopped
- 2–3 tablespoons butter, melted
- ¼ cup cinnamon sugar, approximately
- Caramel topping, for serving
Instructions
- Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin and place one frozen dinner roll in each cup.
- Cover and allow the rolls to thaw and rise according to package directions.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Roughly chop the caramel apple pie filling so there are no large apple pieces.
- Working one at a time, cut a deep X into the top of each risen roll without cutting completely through the bottom.
- Gently lift and stretch the dough to create an opening for the filling. Don't worry if the roll deflates.
- Brush the dough with melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
- Place approximately 1 tablespoon caramel apple filling in the center.
- Pull the cut edges of dough up around the filling and pinch them together as well as possible.
- Brush the top with additional melted butter and sprinkle with more cinnamon sugar.
- Repeat with all 12 rolls.
- Bake for 18 minutes at 350°F, or until puffed and golden brown.
- Cool slightly before removing from the muffin tin.
- Drizzle with caramel topping and serve warm.
Notes
Don't worry about making the dumplings perfectly uniform. The dough may deflate as you cut and fill it, but it will puff again during baking.
For variations, add finely chopped pecans or walnuts, mix in dried cranberries, substitute another flavor of pie filling, or replace the caramel topping with a simple powdered-sugar glaze.
These are especially delicious served warm, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream wouldn't hurt a thing.
