Momma Jo’s Apple Dumplings

1 package Pillsbury pie shells

8 tart apples – peeled and cored

1 c. sugar

1 ½ tsp. cinnamon

8 tsp. margarine

Syrup for apples

2 c. sugar

2 c. water

4 Tbsp. margarine

¼ tsp. almond extract

1 small package red hots (9 oz)

Pastry:  Cut each pastry round into fourths and roll out – place 1 prepared apple in center of each piece of dough – wrap dough around apple – sealing edges of dough with water and leaving cored center open.   Fill center with sugar and cinnamon mixture and dot top with margarine.  Place apples in a 9 x 13 baking dish – leaving a bit of space between each apple.

Syrup:  Combine all ingredients and boil syrup until red hots are melted.  Boil for 3 to 4 minutes to thicken.  Pour around apple dumplings.  Bake @ 450 degrees until a light brown.  Reduce heat to 350 degrees.  Continue to bake about 40 minutes until apples are still firm but tender.  Remove from oven and spoon desired amount of the syrup on top of dumplings.  Serve each dumpling in a dessert dish with some of the syrup.

                                      Submitted by:  JoAnn Goza