Developed by Dottie Merle, Merle Maple Farm, Attica, NY
Pie pastry - your own or purchased
4 medium New York State Crispin or Empire apples or your favorite apple
2 cups Pure New York State Maple Syrup
1/3 cup Pure New York State Granulated Maple Sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tbsp. butter or margarine
Heat oven to 425º. Roll out pastry and cut into about 7" squares. Pare and core one apple for each dumpling. Place apple in center of each square.
Mix together the maple sugar and cinnamon - fill apple cavities. Dot each apple top with about 1/2 tsp. butter. Bring opposite points of pastry up over the apple. Moisten pastry to seal it together. Place in baking dish.
Bake 40 to 45 minutes until crust is nicely browned and apples are cooked through (test with fork). Put dumpling on serving dish. Drizzle with hot maple syrup and top with whipped cream or ice cream.