LUSCIOUS APPLE ROLLS

Ingredients

2 cups water
2 cups sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
2 cups plain flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup solid vegetable shortening
1/2 cup milk
2 1/2 cups shredded apples

Preparation

Combine water, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat; stir in butter. Set aside. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Cut shortening into flour mixture with a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add milk, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; knead lightly four or five times. Roll dough to a 12- x 9-inch rectangle. Arrange apples evenly over dough. Roll up jellyroll fashion, beginning with long side. Cut into 12 (1-inch) slices. Place slices, cut side down, in a well-greased 9- x 13-inch pan. Pour sugar syrup around slices. Bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, if desired.