OLD-FASHIONED APPLE RAISIN DUMPLINGS

Old-Fashioned Apple Raisin Dumplings image

Yield Makes 6 (dessert) servings

Number Of Ingredients 19

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For filling
2 small tart apples such as Granny Smith (1/2 pound), peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/3 cup raisins
1/3 cup coarse fresh bread crumbs
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
For dough
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons granulated sugar plus 1/2 tablespoon for sprinkling
3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
2 tablespoons cold vegetable shortening
1/2 cup whole milk plus 1/2 tablespoon for brushing
For syrup
1 1/2 cups unfiltered apple cider
1 cup packed light brown sugar
Accompaniment: vanilla ice cream

Steps:

Make filling:
Toss together all filling ingredients.
Make dough:
Preheat oven to 425°F.
Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and 3 tablespoons granulated sugar into a bowl. Blend in butter and shortening with a pastry blender or your fingertips until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add 1/2 cup milk and stir with a fork just until mixture is moistened.
Turn out dough onto a floured work surface and gently knead 7 to 8 times, or until a soft dough forms (do not overwork dough, or dumplings will be tough). Roll out dough on a well-floured surface with a floured rolling pin into a rough 16- by 11-inch rectangle (about 3/4 inch thick). Trim to a 15- by 10-inch rectangle. Halve dough lengthwise, then cut crosswise in thirds (to form 6 squares).
Fill dumplings:
Divide filling among centers of squares. Bring all 4 corners together over filling and pinch together to seal. Transfer dumplings to a well-buttered 13- by 9- by 2-inch ceramic or glass baking dish and arrange about 1 inch apart. Brush tops with remaining 1/2 tablespoon milk and sprinkle with remaining 1/2 tablespoon granulated sugar.
Make syrup and bake dumplings:
Bring cider and brown sugar to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved.
Pour syrup around dumplings, then bake dumplings until golden brown and syrup is bubbling, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve immediately.