Start by pulling out your egg and butter from the fridge to allow them to come to room temperature. 15 minutes should be sufficient. Turn on the oven to 200 degrees. We are warming it only to create the ideal place to proof the dough. Once it comes to temperature, turn it off. 

In a 2 cup glass measuring cup, combine 1 tbsp sugar and 6 tbsp warm water. (Ideal temperature is 105-110 degrees. Not warm enough and the yeast won't react. Too hot and you'll kill it. I use a thermometer to check mine.) Once the sugar is dissolved, add the yeast, give it a quick stir, and let it proof for 5-10 minutes. 

While the yeast is activating, combine the flour and butter. I prefer to do this in my stand mixer with the paddle attachment. If you don't have a stand mixer, you can also do this in a food processor or by hand with pastry cutter. 

Transfer the flour to a large, glass bowl for later. Meanwhile, combine one room temperature egg, the remaining 3 tbsp of sugar, and the 1/2 tsp of salt in the bowl of a stand mixer. Then add the proofed yeast and mix in the stand mixer on low. 

Slowly add the flour + butter mixture until a dough forms. Transfer the dough ball back to the large glass bowl, and cover with a towel. 

Place covered dough ball in TURNED OFF OVEN and allow the dough to rise for 90 minutes. 

While that is rising, combine cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and ginger for the homemade apple pie spice in a small, sealable container. Set aside. 

After dough has risen, remove from proofing area and preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Split dough into two 8 oz dough balls. Roll each dough ball into separate 10 inch circles. Then, cut each circle into 8 wedges. 

Peel and cut 2 medium apples, each into 8 slices. (I used honeycrisp apples for this recipe, which were huge. I cut each quarter into 3 slice, for a total of 12 slices per apple.) 

Wrap each apple slice in one wedge of crescent dough. Do so by placing the apple slice near the large outside edge, and roll forward. 

Transfer raw apple dumplings to a greased 9 x 13 pan. They will end up touching each other. 

Place butter in a medium bowl and microwave for 30 seconds until melted. (This can also be done in a pot on the stove top if you prefer.) To that bowl, add the brown sugar, vanilla, and apple pie spice. (Do NOT add Mountain Dew yet.)  Stir to combine. 

Pour the butter and brown sugar mixture over the raw apple dumplings. Then, pour the Mountain Dew (or Sprite) into the baking dish, but NOT over the dumplings themselves. 

Place in an oven preheated to 350 degrees and bake for 35 minutes. Serve warm, with ice cream or whip cream on top.