Hot Apple Dumplings

Is summer really gone?

We have been so busy at Proctor Gas. It seems everyone is preparing for old man winter to arrive. Since he gave us an unprecedented break last year we can only imagine what might be in store this year. Remember we have everything needed to keep you cozy this winter at our Proctor Showroom. With the end of summer and the fall rolling in, I'm thinking of the beautiful season ahead. There is nothing like Vermont at peak foliage.

Before we know it the leaves will begin their annual journey and we will be raking them from our lawns, making piles for the little ones to play in. My beautiful cousin Francesca with the leaves at their peak will take that wonderful leap of faith and marry her sweetheart. The ceremony and celebration will lead us right into the outstretched arms of the holiday seasons.

One of the great rites of passage in Vermont is the emergence of the Macintosh apple. There is nothing that signifies fall and Vermont like taking the little ones to pick apples. We can use them for  so many dishes. Of course I recommend picking and eating or brew up some fresh hot apple cider on a fall night. Warm homemade applesauce served with a pork tenderloin or even better a saddle of venison. Next week we will do a pork tenderloin with an apple compote and black pepper cider sauce. However if you want to indulge yourself in a bit of a sinful desire, here is my mothers :

Hot Apple Dumplings, serve them warm and with some Ben and Jerry Vanilla Ice Cream. Yikes!

Apple dumpling Biscuit Dough

2 cups all purpose flour

3  level teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon of salt
7 heaping tablespoons of Crisco
3/4 cup of milk

Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Remove to a flat floured surface and knead the dough for two or three minutes. With a floured rolling pin roll out the dough into a flat sheet about 1/2 inch thick.

1 hot simple syrup ( 2cups water to 1 cup sugar-boil) maybe a little extra

1 stick room temperature butter
1 stick cold butter
1/2 cup light brown sugar
12 Macintosh apples peeled seeded cored
Juice of one lemon
1/4 cup of sugar
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees

In a bowl place the apples and toss with lemon, white sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon. Get them well coated.

Spread the room temperature butter and brown sugar evenly on the rolled out dough. Place the apples evenly onto the biscuit dough. Roll the dough with the apples in it similar to a jelly roll.

Cut the roll into 1 1/2 inch wide wheels and lay them in a buttered baking dish. Cover them with the hot simple syrup. (Have extra syrup in case you need it to cover). Place a slice of butter from the cold stick on each dumpling. Bake for about 35 minutes or until nice and brown. Check on them.

Mrs Tom's Secret: Eat them before the word gets out!