Active time: 45 min Start to finish: 1 1/4 hr

Makes 6 (dessert) servings.

INGREDIENTS

  • for filling
  • 2small tart apples such as granny smith (1/2 lb),peeled, cored, andcut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1/3cup raisins
  • 1/3cup coarse fresh bread crumbs
  • 1/3cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 1/2tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/4teaspoon cinnamon
    for dough
  • 2cups all-purpose flour
  • 2teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2teaspoon salt
  • 3tablespoons granulated sugar plus 1/2 tablespoon for sprinkling
  • 3tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
  • 2tablespoons cold vegetable shortening
  • 1/2cup whole milk plus1/2 tablespoon for brushing
    for syrup
  • 1 1/2cups unfiltered apple cider
  • 1cup packed light brown sugaraccompaniment:vanilla ice cream

    DIRECTIONS

    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 toseal. Transfer dumplings to awell-buttered 13- by 9- by 2-inch ceramic or glass baking dish and arrange about 1 inch apart. Brushtops with remaining 1/2 tablespoon milk and sprinkle with remaining1/2 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.