Traditional Amish Apple Dumplings

First, preheat your oven to a hot temperature of 375 degrees Fahrenheit (or 190 degrees Celsius for those using metric measurements). Next, spray a standard-sized 9x13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent the dough from sticking.

Temporarily set your apples aside in a cold water bath while you focus on preparing the dough for baking.

To create the dough, combine a medium-sized bowl containing all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Add shortening to the mixture and use a pastry blender or fork to cut it into small, crumbly pieces. Then, gradually add milk and stir until the dough comes together in a cohesive mass.

In another bowl, mix together 1 cup of brown sugar and cinnamon to create a sweet and spicy blend. Divide the dough into six equal portions, then roll each portion out to an approximate thickness of 1/4 inch. Place a single apple in the center of each dough portion, filling its core with the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Fold the dough over the apple to create a sealed package and place it into the prepared baking dish.

In a separate saucepan, combine 1 cup of brown sugar, water, melted butter, and nutmeg. Place the saucepan over medium-high heat on your stovetop and cook until the sugar is fully dissolved and the butter has melted, taking about 5 minutes to achieve this. Once the syrup is ready, pour it over the dumplings in the baking dish.

Finally, bake the assembled dish in your preheated oven until the dough is golden brown and the apples are soft, taking approximately 40 minutes to complete.