Apple Dumpling Dessert

I have another apple dessert for you. I hope you are not tired of apple posts. This is a favorite in our house. It is also a favorite at our church dinners. I have taken it several times. I try to make this at least once in the fall, sometimes several times. It does make a lot, so it is a dish that I like to take places.

My sister told me about this recipe quite a few years ago. It originally came from a Country Woman magazine. My dad told me how good this dessert was, so I had to give it a try. It has been a favorite since then.

Apple Dumpling Dessert

PASTRY:
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
1-1/3 cups shortening
12 t0 14 tablespoons cold water
FILLING:
8 cups chopped peeled tart apples
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 tablespoon tapioca

SYRUP:
2 cups water
1 cup packed brown sugar
Whipped topping or vanilla ice cream, optional

In a large bowl, combine flour and salt; cut in shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle with water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and toss with a fork until dough can be formed into a ball. Divide dough into four parts. On a lightly floured surface, roll one apart to fit the bottom of an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Place in dish; In a bowl combine apples, cinnamon, tapioca, and sugar; sprinkle a third over apples. Repeat layers of pastry, apples and cinnamon-sugar twice. Roll out remaining dough to fit top of dish and place on top. Using a sharp knife, cut 2-in. slits through all layers at once. For syrup, bring water and sugar to a boil. Cook and stir until sugar is dissolved. Pour over top crust. Bake at 400° for 35-40 minutes or until browned and bubbly. Serve warm with whipped topping or ice cream if desired.

For more recipes see and Tempt My Tummy Tuesday.

Note: A comment was left about what kind of Tapioca I used. This is what I use. It is not necessary to use it. But, the tapioca helps thicken the juices. Some apples tend to have a lot of juice, so I always put some tapioca in to make sure it does not have too much liquid.