2 c. water
1 1/2 c. sugar
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
8 drops red food coloring
1/4 c. butter
2 c. sifted all purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
3/4 c. shortening
1/2 c. milk
6 sm. whole apples, pared and cored

Mix first 5 ingredients together for syrup. Cook 5 minutes; remove from heat. Add butter. Sift together dry ingredients; cut in shortening until mixture resembled coarse crumbs. Add milk all at once; stir just until flour is moistened. On lightly floured surface roll to 18 x 12 inch rectangle. Cut into 6 inch squares. Place apple on each. Sprinkle apple with sugar generously and nutmeg and cinnamon. Dot with additional butter. Moisten edges of pastry. Bring corners to center and pinch edges together.

Place one inch apart in ungreased 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking pan. Pour syrup over dumplings. Bake at 375 degrees for 35-40 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream.