Ingredients

 4 medium baking apples

 2 cups flour

 1 teaspoon salt

 2 teaspoons baking powder

 ¾ cup shortening

 ½ cup milk

 1 ¼ cups plus 4 tablespoons sugar

 1 teaspoon cinnamon

 ¼ teaspoon nutmeg

 ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons butter

 1 12 ounce can 7-Up

Method

1. Peel and core apples but leave whole. Sift flour, salt and baking powder. Cut in shortening. Add milk all at once. Stir until moistened, then knead into a ball. Roll out on floured surface and cut into 4 7″ squares. Place apples in center of each square.

2. Combine 4 tablespoons sugar and 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon and sprinkle about 1 tablespoon of mixture into center of each apple. Dot each with 1/2 teaspoon butter. Fold each corner of dough to center of apple. Pinch edges together. Arrange dumplings in a 9×12 baking dish. Set aside.

3. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

4. Combine 7-Up with remaining 1 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon and nutmeg in saucepan. Cook over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Add 1/4 cup butter and stir until melted. Pour syrup into pan and bake dumplings for 35-40 minutes. Serve warm with sauce.