Fall must be Here....Apple picking and baking starts now!!

Chef Nana and Sous Chef Ella

Fun in the Kitchen With Apples!!

What a busy week!!  It involved a lot of cooking and that always makes it FUN!!  I got to spend time with Ella in the kitchen and that is DOUBLE FUN!!  

The weather in Tulsa is cooling down a bit and I am beginning to get in the "fall" mode....which means I will probably put away summer clothes this week and get out my fall/winter wardrobe as well as decorate for my favorite season.  I already have mums on the porch in the planters.  It's time for pumpkins too!!

Last Saturday I stopped at the apple orchard on my way to lake and picked the best Jonathon Apples.  I  made a great pan of apple dumplings and an apple pie.  For a couple of years I had heard of the Pioneer Woman's Apple Dumpling Recipe which included Mountain Dew.  I made it last week and WOW....it is everything she says it is!!!!  I shared with friends and everyone loved them.

Here's how you do it:

Apple Dumplings

Ingredients:

2 Apples - I used Jonathon even though PW recommends Granny

Smith.  I say use what you like and have on hand.

Two 8 - count cans crescent roll dough - I used Pepperidge Farm which were larger than the rest in the dairy aisle.  Use a can that is at least 8 ounces.

1 cup butter 

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

12 ounces of Mountain Dew

Ground Cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Directions:

1.  Peel the apples, core and cut into eights.

2. Wrap each apple wedge in 1 piece of crescent roll dough, beginning at the wife end and ending at the point. 

3.   Place the rolls seam side down in a buttered 8 x 10 baking dish.

4.  Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat.

5.  Add the sugar and vanilla and stir for a few seconds.  No need to dissolve the sugar; you want the mixture to be grainy.

6.  Pour the butter/sugar mixture over the rolls in the pan evenly.

7.  Next - pour the 12 ounces of Mountain Dew over the top.

It will look very liquidy.  That is good. 

8.  Sprinkle the Cinnamon over the top of the pan.

9.  Bake for 40 minutes at 350 degrees, until browned.  Makes 16 dumplings.

Apple Dumplings

Ingredients:

2 Apples - I used Jonathon even though PW recommends Granny

Smith.  I say use what you like and have on hand.

Two 8 - count cans crescent roll dough - I used Pepperidge Farm which were larger than the rest in the dairy aisle.  Use a can that is at least 8 ounces.

1 cup butter 

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

12 ounces of Mountain Dew

Ground Cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Directions:

1.  Peel the apples, core and cut into eights

2. Wrap each apple wedge in 1 piece of crescent roll dough, beginning at the wife end and ending at the point. 
3.   Place the rolls seam side down in a buttered 8 x 10 baking dish.
4.  Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat.
5.  Add the sugar and vanilla and stir for a few seconds.  No need to dissolve the sugar; you want the mixture to be grainy.
6.  Pour the butter/sugar mixture over the rolls in the pan evenly.

7.  Next - pour the 12 ounces of Mountain Dew over the top.

It will look very liquidy.  That is good. 

8.  Sprinkle the Cinnamon over the top of the pan.
9.  Bake for 40 minutes at 350 degrees, until browned.
Makes 16 dumplings


Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream  and spoon some of the sauce over the top.  I made caramel and drizzled it over the ice cream.  YUMMMMM!  I will share the caramel with you tomorrow.  

Sorry but we started eating the apple dumplings out of the oven and I never got a picture of the finished product before it went into the stomachs of those I love and share my food with!!!  Next Time or better yet .....Make a pan and send me a picture!!  Thanks PW it truly is a miracle recipe....transforming crescent rolls into delicate French pastry!!!

Happy Trails,

Mtn Mama