My husband has been away for the last week. It's been a long time since we've been apart. In fact, the last time we were apart for this long was when we were dating in college. We went to college in separate states and neither of us had a car for the longest time. We'd have very long phone conversations and couldn't wait to see each other during break or when one of us could get a ride. This time around it's a totally different thing. I have a job, a house, a dog, and many other responsibilities. My mornings are all out of whack and I don't really feel like cooking for one. I don't know how single people do it. I've always appreciated my husband and all that he does, but it's even more evident when he's gone. He's my best friend and I've missed him terribly.
My husband does not like "warmed fruit" which means no pies, cobblers, or dumplings. So I decided to make the recipe below when he was away. This way I get to enjoy the dessert and I don't feel too bad finishing it by myself!
Apple Dumplings
adapted from Better Homes and Gardens October 1950
Makes 3 Dumplings
Oven 375
3 apples (peeled and cored)
Sauce:
1 cup water
2/3 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 cup butter or margarine
Pastry:
1 cup flour
1/3 cup shortening
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons half-and-half or light cream
Filling:
1 tablespoon chopped walnuts
1/2 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon raisins
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 tablespoon butter or margarine
For sauce, in a medium saucepan combine the water, sugar, and cinnamon. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Add the butter or margarine. Set aside.
Meanwhile, for pastry, combine the flour and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in shortening until pieces are the size of small peas. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the half-and-half, light cream, or milk over part of the mixture; gently toss with a fork. Push moistened dough to the side of the bowl. Repeat moistening dough, using 1 tablespoon of the cream or milk at a time, until all of the dough is moistened.
Form dough into a ball. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to an 9x6-inch rectangle. Using a pastry wheel or sharp knife, cut into three 6-inch squares.
In a small mixing bowl combine the raisins, walnuts, and honey. In another small bowl stir together the sugar and the cinnamon. Set aside.
Peel and core the apples. Place an apple on each pastry square. Fill centers of apples with raisin mixture. Sprinkle with sugar-cinnamon mixture; dot with the butter or margarine.
Moisten edges of each pastry square with water; fold corners to center over apple. Pinch to seal. Place dumplings in a 2-quart rectangular baking dish. Pour sauce over dumplings.
Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 35 minutes or until apples are tender and pastry is golden brown. To serve, spoon sauce over dumplings.
Combine first 8 ingredients, up to and including salt. Set aside. Combine pumpkin, sugars, and oil in mixing bowl. Mix until incorporated. 
With mixer on low, add in eggs, one at a time. Add flour mixture and mix until incorporated. 
Fill cupcake tins (already lined with cupcake liners) with batter. 
Bake in oven for 15 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean when tested. 
Top with your favorite frosting and even a drizzle of caramel. Or leave plain, they taste just as good! 
