Apple dumplings and hot caramel apple cider...

Having friends and family over for dinner is always a fun and exciting time, I know. And if you're anything like me you LOVE to entertain...especially around the holidays! Often times entertaining can become a little hectic if your juggling a career, family and everything else in between.

I would love to be able to have time to decorate a nice autumn tablescape like this...

(I can already here the "hubs" clentching his wallet as I sit here and daydream about my day of shopping next week at HomeGoods)

Since we're all beautiful, fabulous and amazing women on the go, here's a quick and easy Apple Dumpling dessert recipe that's sure to spice up your autumn night and have your dinner guests and family raving for weeks to come!

Apple Dumplings

Ingredients:

2 Granny Smith apples
2 cans crescent rolls

1 stick of butter
1 cup of sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1 cup of Ginger Ale

Directions:

Peel and core apples. Cut apples into 8 slices each. Roll each apple slice in a crescent roll. Place in a 9 x 13 buttered pan. Melt butter over medium low heat, then add sugar and stir. Next, add vanilla ginger ale and cinnamon, stir. Once mixture is well combined and heated pour over apples. Sprinkle with extra cinnamon over the dumplings, if you'd like, and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Serve with ice cream, & spoon the sweet sauces from the pan over the top for an indulgent topping everyone will be sure to love!!

It's that easy and SO DELICIOUS. It's the perfect little dessert to warm you up on those cool autumn nights. Here's a another warm treat to add to your cool autumn nights.

Hot Caramel Apple Cider

Ingredients:

8 cups or 1/2 gallon apple cider
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping
whipped cream, optional
extra caramel ice cream topping, optional

Directions:
In a large sauce pan, combine the cider, sugar, and caramel topping. Cook over medium low heat until simmering stirring frequently. Simmer until heated and well blended. Serve in cups of mugs. Pipe whipping cream on top and drizzle with additional caramel topping if desired.

And there you have it...So go grab a blanket, your favorite book and snuggle in to enjoy the goodness of it all!!

(All images via Pinterest and recipes via Real Mom Kitchen.)