2 c. water
1 1/2 c. sugar
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 c. butter
2 c. all purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt, optional
3/4 c. shortening
1/2 c. milk
6 sm. whole apples, pared and cored

For syrup, mix first 5 ingredients; cook 5 minutes. Remove from heat; add butter. Sift together dry ingredients; cut in shortening until mixture resembles 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 in six - 6 inch squares. Place apple on each. Sprinkle apples generously with additional sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg; dot with additional butter. Moisten edges of pastry. Bring corners to center and pinch edges together. Place 1 inch apart in ungreased 13 x 9 x 2 inch pan. Pour syrup over dumplings. Bake at 375 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream!