Spiced Apple Dumplings
2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
3/4 cup shortening
6-8 tbsp milk
6 large baking apples, peeled, cored and chopped
(about 5 1/2 cups)
1/2 cup chopped pecans
2 1/4 cups sugar, divided
1/4 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In medium bowl stir together flour, baking powder and salt.
Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add milk, a little at a time, stirring until dough clings together. Form into a ball. Divide dough into sixths. On a floured surface roll each portion of dough into a 7 inch circle.
Stir together apples, pecans and 1/4 cup sugar. Top each circle with a scant cup of apples. Moisten edges of pastry with water; gather edges of dough over top of apple, completely enclosing apple mixture. Pinch to seal. Place, seam side down, in 2 quart rectangular baking dish.
In medium saucepan, combine remaining 2 cups sugar, 2 cups water, butter, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Bring to boiling. Carefully pour over dumplings. Bake 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.
Reduce the calories by substituting sugar with SPLENDA brand sugar substitute.