Apple Dumplings

Serves 4

If you have never had apple dumplings, this is your chance. They are absolutely delicious and easy to make. There are many variations. Some recipes call for a syrup that is poured over the apples before baking. Others slice the apples and place in squares of dough. This recipe is the way my Pennsylvania Dutch grandmother and mother made them.

Ingredients

• Pastry dough for double crust pie, store-bought or homemade (see the similar and related recipes)
• 4 medium baking apples, such as McIntosh
• 8 teaspoons dark brown sugar, more to taste
• 4 teaspoons butter
• Cinnamon

Preheat oven to 325° F. Make dough according to recipe. Roll and cut into shapes large enough to wrap around each apple. Remove the core from the apples. Place one apple in center of each piece of dough. Fill apple with about 2 teaspoons sugar, 1 teaspoon butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Bring dough around apple and crimp at top. Place in an 8x8-inch baking pan. Bake for about 30 minutes. Baste the apples with juices from the bottom of the pan. Bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes or until the pastry is golden. Remove from oven and cool at least 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm in a bowl with milk, cream or vanilla ice cream.

Notes: Refrigerated pie shells can be used but roll them slightly thinner than packaged. Unused dough can be rolled, topped with cinnamon, sugar and butter and baked until golden brown as an extra treat.