SYRUP:

1 c. sugar
1 tbsp. butter
1 1/2 c. water
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan; heat to boiling. Cook until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat; set aside.

PASTRY:

1 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
2 heaping tbsp. shortening
1/4 c. milk
2 lg. cooking apples, peeled, cored, and cut in half lengthwise

Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Cut in shortening until mixture is quite fine; add milk, a tablespoon at a time, stirring with a fork until enough milk has been added to form a dough. Shape dough into a ball. Roll dough out into a circle and cut into quarters. Enclose 1/2 of an apple in each dough quarter.

Place dumplings in a baking dish; pour syrup over each. Bake at 425 degrees until dumplings are golden brown and apples are tender. Serve warm, with ice cream, whipped cream or milk. Yield: 4 servings.