Mt. Dew Caramel Apple Dumplings

I remember when I was first given this recipe, I thought it was so bizzare. Who puts Mt. Dew over apple dumplings?! I'm telling you though... if you've never tried this, you really need to. It's beyong amazing! Here's what you'll need to make 16 dumplings:

Photo byVicki Kerr

Ingredients:

• 2 medium apples, about 2 cups (Granny Smith,Honey Gold, Jonathan, Fuji, Gala)*
• 2 cans refrigerated Grands Crescent Rolls 8 Count
• 3/4 cup butter melted
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup Mt. Dew or other lemon-lime soda
• 16 baking caramels
• Pinch of sea salt, optional

Other, optional:

• Vanilla ice cream
• Whipped cream

Preheat your oven to 350°F and spray a 13x9-inch baking pan with cooking spray; set aside.

Peel, core, and slice the apples into 16 wedges. Unroll the dough and separate it into 16 triangles.

Place one apple wedge and one baking caramel on the wide end of each dough triangle and roll the dough around the apple slice going towards the point. Arrange the wrapped dumplings in the prepared pan.

In a small saucepan, melt the butter with the brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir in the vanilla extract. Pour the sauce evenly over the dumplings in the pan.

Pour the soft drink around the edges and in the center of the pan, avoiding pouring directly on top of the dumplings. Sprinkle top with sea salt if desired.

Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 33 minutes, or until the dumplings are golden brown. Allow them to rest for 15 minutes before serving.

Serve the warm apple dumplings with a drizzle of the cinnamon pan sauce, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and/or whipped cream and enjoy!

* Notes:

Some prefer tart apples only to balance out the sweetness of the caramels and sugar glaze. You are welcome to use any baking apples that you have on hand though.