Apple Dumplings

Here’s a classic recipe for making delicious apple dumplings:

Ingredients

For the Dumplings:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup shortening or unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup milk
• 6 small to medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp are good choices)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)

For the Syrup:

• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Prepare the Dough:
   • In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.
   • Cut in the shortening or butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
   • Stir in the milk just until the dough forms a ball.
   • On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out into a large rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick.
   • Cut the dough into 6 equal squares.
3. Prepare the Apples:
   • Peel and core the apples, leaving them whole.
   • In a small bowl, mix together the sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
   • Place an apple on each dough square.
   • Fill the center of each apple with the sugar mixture.
4. Wrap the Apples:
   • Fold the dough up around each apple, pinching the edges to seal. Place the wrapped apples in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
5. Prepare the Syrup:
   • In a saucepan, combine the brown sugar, water, butter, and vanilla extract. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.
   • Pour the hot syrup over the apple dumplings in the baking dish.
6. Bake:
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the pastry is golden brown.
   • Baste the dumplings occasionally with the syrup from the pan.
7. Serve:
   • Serve the apple dumplings warm, with a drizzle of the syrup from the pan.
   • Optionally, top with vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Enjoy your homemade apple dumplings!