1-1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon (divided)
1 teaspoon nutmeg (divided)
2 or 3 drops red food coloring (optional)
1/4 cup butter
2 1/4 cups flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
2/3 cup shortening
1/2 cup milk
6 small apples, peeled & cored
1/2 cup sugar

Step 1: making the syrup...combine in a saucepan 1-1/2 cups sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon,1/4 teaspoon nutmeg and 2 cups of water.  Bring to boiling, lower to a simmer and cook 5 minutes. Remove from heat & stir in butter and optional drops of red food coloring if desired. Set aside.

Step 2: making the dough... combine flour, baking powder, & 1/2 teaspoon salt, cut in shortening until mixture looks like coarse crumbs or small peas. Add milk and mix just until all is moistened. Form into a ball.  Roll into a 12 x 18 inch rectangle on a floured surface. Cut into six 6 inch squares.

Step 3: Assembling the dumplings...  Combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 tsp cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg in a small mixing bowl.  Roll each cored and peeled apple in the sugar & spice mixture until well coated, place one apple in the center of each 6 in. square and dot with additional butter.
 Moisten the edges of the dough and fold each corner to the top and center of the apple and pinch the edges together.  Place in a 13x9x2-in. baking dish.  Pour the cinnamon syrup over the dumplings.  Bake at 375 for 40 -45 minutes or until apples are tender when tested with a knife.
To Serve...  Best if served warm.  Spoon sauce over the dumplings and serve with vanilla ice cream if desired.

Serves six.