1 1/2 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. water
1/4 c. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
8 drops red food color
3 tbsp. butter

Mix ingredients (except butter) in saucepan and bring to boil. Remove from heat and stir in butter. 1 tsp. salt 2 tsp. baking powder 2/3 c. shortening 1/2 c. milk 6 med. apples, pared & cored

Sift together dry ingredients; cut in shortening until mix looks like coarse crumbs. Add all of milk. Stir just until flour is moistened. Divide dough into 6 parts. On lightly floured board, roll each ball of dough into about 8 inch circle. Cut into a square. Place apple in center. Sprinkle apple generously with sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg; dot with butter. Moisten edges of dough. Bring corners to center and pinch together. Repeat with rest of apples.

Place 1 inch apart in ungreased 11 x 7 x 1 1/2 inch baking pan. Pour syrup over dumplings; sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes. Serve warm with cream. (You can use 1/2 an apple in each square.) But soft... what aroma from yonder oven wafts? ? ?