September 21, 2016

Hello, First Day of Autumn!

What is your favorite season?  Mine is unequivocally autumn, and tomorrow,
September 22, is the first day of autumn! I adore the glorious array of warm colors,
as this season wraps itself around me in its cozy hominess. (Hominess IS a word! I looked it up!:o))
Allow me to share a few of my autumn photos, taken near my Maryland home over the years, below.

Autumn in Maryland

To view colorful autumn photos from an earlier post, please click here. 

Apple Picking =Apple Dumplings

Autumn means apple picking time in this part of the country. With a bounty of apples available this time of year, apple treat ideas abound.  My daughter-in-law introduced me to her favorite apple dumpling recipe several years ago.  I revised it just a bit, and share it with you, below. The cinnamon flavored syrup makes this recipe stand out!

Apple picking at Larriland with my youngest son.
September 2012.

For Larriland’s yummy apple cider recipe, click here.

Quick Apple Dumplings

Ingredients

1 and 1/2 cups sugar
2 cups water
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup butter

2/3 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 -15 ounce packages of refrigerated pie crusts
(read package directions for removing the dough from the refrigerator for handling)
8 medium apples (Granny Smith), peeled and cored
(I used our old apple peeler that also slices while it peels and cores.)
3 Tablespoons butter

Vanilla ice cream-recommended

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Syrup
Bring  1 and 1/2 cups sugar, 2 cups water, and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
to boil in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly;
reduce heat and simmer stirring occasionally for 10 minutes.
Remove from heat, stirring in 1/4 cup butter.

Apples
Combine 2/3 cup sugar, and  1/4 teaspoon cinnamon.
Cut pie crusts in half.
Form dough into an 8-inch circles by pressing with fingers.
Place one apple in center of each circle.
Sprinkle evenly with sugar mixture.
Dot evenly with 3 Tablespoons of butter.

Fold dough over apples, pinching to seal.
Place in lightly greased (or use PAM) 13 x 9 baking dish.
Drizzle with syrup.

Bake at 375 degrees for 40-45 minutes.

Serve with vanilla ice cream, if desired.

Enjoy!

Our old apple peeler that prepared our apples for dumpling readiness.

Dumplings ready for the oven.

Dumplings fresh out of the oven.

Thanks for reading!
Annette

Note-Due to a technical error (more accurately, mine), most of the photos from past blog posts were accidently deleted awhile back. I have been slowly working to replace them, and most are now back in place. If you wish to view my past blogs and photos,
click here, or go to imannette.net.

In an effort to establish a more reliable blog posting schedule, I plan (or at least, plan to try) to post every other Wednesday. Think of Wednesday as I’m Annette days. :o)
Look for my next post on October 5.

Thank you to all of my blog followers!!!
I appreciate you!!!
It is your encouragement that keeps me writing! :o)
I love your positive comments, and enjoy hearing from you!

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Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree.-Emily Bronte