Apple Dumplings

Whole apples are wrapped in homemade pastry, drizzled with a simple syrup and baked until tender for delectable apple cinnamon delight! Serve warm with cream.

Yield

6 dumplings

Syrup Ingredients

1 1/2 cups granulated (white) sugar
1 1/2 cups water
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
6 drops red food coloring
3 tablespoons butter

Pastry Ingredients

2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup shortening
1/2 cup milk

Filling Ingredients

6 apples, peeled and cored
6 teaspoons granulated (white) sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
6 tablespoons butter

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°F (191°C).

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine 1 1/2 cups sugar, water, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg and food coloring. Bring to a boil, remove from heat and stir in 3 tablespoons butter. Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Cut in shortening, using knives or pastry blender, until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Pour in milk, all at once, and stir to form a dough. On a floured surface, roll dough into a 1/4 inch thick, 12 x 18-inch rectangle. Cut into six 6 inch squares.

Place a whole, peeled and cored apple in the center of each pastry square. Dust each apple with a mixture of the of sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Dot with a tablespoon of butter. Moisten the edges of the pastry square, bring the corners together at the top of the apple, and press edges together to seal. Place dumplings 1 inch apart on a baking sheet. Pour the syrup over the dumplings and sprinkle with additional sugar, if desired.

Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes, until apples are tender.