Apple Crack

I've been obsessed with The Pioneer Woman Cooks lately. OBSESSED. She cooks with BUTTER. And BACON. And lots of DELICIOUSNESS. I am super ashamed to say that the first time I read her recipes, I wasn't so crazy about them. I didn't own a skillet and I think - well, I'm blaming it on - kitchen gadget inferiority.

I now have a skillet. And I have joined the ranks of millions who follow this woman. Have I mentioned bacon and butter? Some recent expeditions into her recipe vaults have yielded successes like Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Thingies, Blue Cheese Onion Goodness, Caesar Salad, and oh sweet goodness - Onion Straws. Do not get me started on the Firecracker Shrimp.

Last night I ventured into her dessert repertoire... Apple Dumplings, or as K. renamed them: Apple Crack.

First, this was an EASY recipe. I didn't even measure anything. One apple, one can of whomp crescent rolls, a stick of butter and some Mountain Dew. (Oh, some cinnamon and vanilla too).

Let's break it down:
2 Granny Smith Apples
1 Can Crescent Rolls (I used reduced fat - don't know why...)
1 Stick of Butter
2/3 c. Sugar - or more, to taste
1/2 tbs + Vanilla
1 tsp Cinnamon (I added some nutmeg and allspice)
Pinch of Salt (because I used unsalted butter)
1/2 c. or less Mountain Dew

Core and peel the apples. Slice each apple into 8 slices. Wrap each crescent roll around two slices of apple (*original recipe calls for one slice per roll, I wanted a little more apple). Place each wrapped apple in a baking dish that's small enough so the apple dumplings fit in snugly. Think cinnamon rolls snug.

In a sauce pan, melt the stick of butter. Dump in the sugar and stir just a bit - you want it lumpy. Add in cinnamon, salt and vanilla.

Now here come's the OMG part. Pour the butter mixture OVER the dumplings -- gooey, delish and decadent. Now add the Mountain Dew - I sort of poured it in between the dumplings.

In to the oven they go - 350 for 40 minutes. I suggest putting a cookie sheet under the cooking dish to avoid splattering. (Dear Lord! The splattering!). Try not to pull them out of the oven with your bare hands.



CRACK, I tell you. I made eight dumplings last night -- and they're all gone. I had two. K. is obviously a crack whore.

It's chilly in Tallahassee today -- good thing I have some more apples. And crescent rolls. And BUTTER!