2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 c. solid shortening (Crisco)
4 to 5 tbsp. cold water

Place flour and salt in bowl and cut in shortening with pastry blender to resemble coarse cornmeal. Add 3 tablespoons water, stir and add enough remaining water so dough barely holds together and forms a ball. Place dough on floured board and roll into 2 rectangles approximately 24 inches by 15 inches. Cut dough into six 7 inch squares.

APPLES:

6 sm. tart juicy apples (Pippin, Granny Smith, etc.)
1/2 c. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tbsp. butter

Pare and core the apples. Place an apple on each square of pastry. Combine sugar and cinnamon. Fill each apple with 1/6 of the sugar cinnamon mixture. Dot with 1/6 of the butter. Bring opposite points of the pastry up over the apple. Overlap the points of the pastry moistening with water to seal. Carefully place apples in an 11 x 7 inch utility dish making sure apples do not touch.

SYRUP:

1 c. sugar
2 c. water
3 tbsp. butter
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Place all syrup ingredients in saucepan, bring to boil, simmer rapidly for 3 minutes. (Microwave - place sauce ingredients in 8 cup batter bowl bring to boil 5 minutes on High, reduce power to 70%, cook 4 minutes longer). Pour hot syrup around dumplings. Bake immediately until crust is nicely browned and apples are done. Test apples for doneness with 2 small paring knives. It will take approximately 45 to 60 minutes baking at 400 degrees. Serve with the pan syrup and ice cream or whipped cream if desired. Serves 6. Preparation time 1 1/2 hours. Baste a couple of times during baking.