Preheat oven to 375°F.

Prepare the apple filling.

In a small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon.

Combine the cinnamon and sugar mix with the apple slices in a large mixing bowl. Stir well to cut the apple slices with the cinnamon/sugar mixture.

Prepare pastry dough for dumplings.

Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.

Using a pastry cutter or knife, cut in shortening until coarse crumbs form.

Add milk and stir until moist.

Assemble the dumplings.

Roll out dough into flat squares. Cut into 6 even pieces.

Divide apple filling into 6 portions and place one portion of apple filling  in the middle of each square.

Top with ½ tablespoon butter

Fold dough corners into a dumpling shape enclosing the apples.

Place each dumpling upside down, seam side down, in a 9×13 casserole pan or dutch oven.

Prepare the syrup.

Combine all ingredients for the syrup, except for the butter, and bring to a boil.

Remove from heat and stir in the butter.

Pour syrup over dumplings.

Bake in preheated oven for 30-40 minutes. Dumplings are ready when they are brown on top and a little crusty.

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or topped with whipped cream.