Apple Dumplings

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 10 tablespoons butter (unsalted, cold and cut into cubes)
• 8 tablespoons shortening (cold and cut into cubes)
• 6 tablespoons ice water (or more as needed)
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 4 medium apples (peeled, cut half in and cored)
• 2 tablespoon butter (unsalted, cut into 8 pieces)
• 3 tablespoon brown sugar (packed)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

1. 1

   --- Crust ---

2. 2

   Form the crust:: Start by making the crust. Add the flour, salt, butter, shortening to the bowl of your mixer and mix to incorporate. Start adding a little bit of water at a time, and keep adding until the dough starts to come together. You can also do this in your food processor.

3. 3

   Refrigerate the dough:: Dump the dough onto your work surface and divide it into 2 pieces. Wrap each piece of dough in plastic wrap then refrigerate for 30 minutes.

4. 4

   --- Syrup ---

5. 5

   Combine the syrup:: Add all the syrup ingredients together in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Turn the heat down to a simmer and let the syrup reduce to about half, should take about 8 to 10 minutes.

6. 6

   --- Assemble and Bake ---

7. 7

   Combine the filling:: Peel the apples, cut them in half and remove the core. In a small bowl mix together the 3 tablespoons of brown sugar with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Take 2 tablespoons of butter, cut it into 8 small pieces and roll each piece in the sugar cinnamon mixture. Place each butter piece in the center of each apple.

8. 8

   Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).

9. 9

   Cut the crust:: On a floured surface, roll out one of the pieces of crust and cut it out into 4 pieces. Each piece of has to be big enough to folder over the apple completely. Fold the crust over the apples, use a bit of water if necessary to wet your finger and run it along the edge of the crust. Pinch off any excess dough.

10. 10

    Assemble the dish:: Pour about a ladle of the brown sugar syrup into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Place the apple dumplings in the baking dish and pour the remaining syrup over the apples.

11. 11

    Bake:: Bake for about 40 minutes or until the apple dumplings are golden brown. Let the dumplings cool for about 5 minutes before serving.