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

Syrup - mix first 5 ingredients, cook 5 minutes. Remove from heat; add butter. Sift 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 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 together. Place 1 inch apart in ungreased 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking pan. Pour syrup over dumplings. Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes. 6 servings.