Preheat oven to 190 degrees C

Over medium heat, combine 1 1/2 cups sugar, water, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg. Bring to a boil, remove from heat and stir in 3 tablespoons butter. Set aside.

Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Cut in shortening (I didn't have any, so I used chilled butter) until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Pour in milk, all at once, and stir to form a dough. On a floured surface, roll dough into a 1/4 inch thick. Cut into 6 - 6 inch squares.

Place a whole, peeled and cored apple slice in the center of each pastry square. Dust each apple with a mixture of the of sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Dot with a tablespoon of butter.dumplings 1 inch apart on a baking sheet.

Moisten the edges of the pastry square, bring the corners together at the top of the apple, and press edges together to seal. Place

Pour the syrup over the dumplings and sprinkle with additional sugar, if desired.

I also saw a recipe that suggested pouring a can of Sprite or Mountain Dew on top after the sugar solution for that extra sugary crust on top.

Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes, until apples are tender.

This would be the right time to invite someone over because the house will smell delish.