Apple Dumplings

Happy fall! Depending on where you are in the world, you may or may not be experiencing fall weather. But, sometimes we think about what we are used to or what we remember as a child and, for most of us, October means FALL! Fall means sweaters, boots, gloves, pumpkins, crunching leaves under our feet, warm evenings at home with the family, and last but not least, yummy desserts! 

Which brings me to today's Tasty Tuesday yummy fall recipe - Apple Dumplings! 

I personally believe that most fall recipes need to include pumpkin, cinnamon, and/or baked apples! This dessert recipe was given to me by one of my dearest friends. She made these dumplings for our family during one of our deputation trail stops by her lovely home and I was hooked! They are a bit time consuming, but oh so good tasting served along with vanilla ice cream!

We begin by preparing the pastry dough.

Pastry 

2/3 cup shortening

1/3 cup of boiling water

2 cups flour (I use a simple bread flour)

1 teaspoon salt

Measure the shortening and put into bowl. Bring water to a boil, pour into shortening and whip with a fork until it looks like whipped cream. Add salt and flour and mix with hands until well blended. Divide the dough into six equal parts. Roll each portion onto lightly floured waxed paper or non-stick rolling mat about 1/8" thick. Set aside until apples are prepared.

Apples

1. Core and peel six whole baking (Granny Smith are preferred) apples.

2. Place apples on the six individual pastry portions.

3. Add some dry cinnamon and sugar in a mixture together, pouring an equal amount into the center of each apple.

4. Place a pat of butter on top of each apple, then fold pastry up over apple covering the pat of butter and apple completely.

5. Place each wrapped apple in a deep approx. 9"x13" baking dish so that they are evenly spread out and not touching each other.

6. Pour syrup mixture (recipe below) over apples and bake at 425 degrees Farenheit or 220 degrees Celsius. for approx. 40 minutes or until golden brown. 

***Be sure to set a timer for 15 minute intervals to open the oven and spoon the cinnamon/sugar mixture over the dumplings as they bake.

Cinnamon/Sugar Mixture

2 cups of white sugar

2 cups of water

1/2 to 1 stick of butter

1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon (or more if desired)

Bring all of the above ingredients to a boil and allow to boil for 3-5 minutes. (May add red food coloring if desired.)

Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream! 

Enjoy!