My grandma makes this every Easter and the whole family flghts over the last bite. Only 4 ingredients for the stickiest, sweetest treat.

This Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Apple Dumplings recipe is an easy shortcut to a dessert that usually takes much more time and effort. Using refrigerated crescent dough skips the need for homemade pastry, while the slow cooker gently cooks the apples in a rich, caramel-like sauce. The result is soft, golden dumplings that taste like a mix between apple pie and a warm caramel dessert.

Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Apple Dumplings

Ingredients
Large firm apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp) – 2
Refrigerated crescent roll dough – 1 (8 oz) can
Unsalted butter, melted – 1/2 cup
Light brown sugar – 1 cup

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Apples
Peel, core, and cut each apple into 8 slices, giving you 16 wedges total. Firmer apples work best so they hold their shape while cooking.

Step 2: Wrap the Apples
Unroll the crescent dough and separate into triangles. Place 2 apple slices on the wide end of each piece, fold in the sides slightly, and roll up. Place each dumpling seam-side down in a greased slow cooker.

Step 3: Add the Sauce
Mix the melted butter and brown sugar until combined, then pour evenly over the dumplings. Do not stir—this will turn into a caramel sauce as it cooks.

Step 4: Cook
Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 to 2½ hours or LOW for 4 to 4½ hours, until the dumplings are puffed and the sauce is bubbling.

Step 5: Let It Rest
Turn the slow cooker to WARM and remove the lid for about 10 minutes before serving. This helps thicken the sauce and keeps the dumplings from getting too soft on top.