Southern Banana Dumplings

Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar, plus more for sprinkling on top
• 3 1/2 cups water
• 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
• 2 cups self-rising flour
• 1/4 cup shortening
• 2/3-3/4 cup milk or 2/3-3/4 cup buttermilk
• 3 bananas, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 350 degrees. in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, combine the sugar and water. add the butter and place in the oven to melt the butter.
• 2 meanwhile, place the flour in a mixing bowl. use two knives or a pastry blender to cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. with a fork, stir in just enough milk or buttermilk until the dough leaves the side of the bowl.
• 3 turn dough onto lightly floured surface and knead 2 or 3 times, then use a rolling pin to roll out to 1/4-inch thickness. use a 3-inch cutter to cut 24 rounds. place a piece of banana in the center of each biscuit, then pull the dough around the banana and pinch the ends to seal on top.
• 4 when the butter is melted, remove the pan from the oven and stir until the sugar completely dissolves.
• 5 place the banana dumplings, sealed side down, in the syrup. sprinkle with a little sugar and return to the oven.
• 6 bake until golden brown, 50 to 60 minutes.