My favorite season of the year has finally arrived! I love everything about fall...the changing leaves, the crisp air, the comfy sweaters and most of all, the flavors of the season. I'm talking cinnamon, pumpkin and of course, apples.

I had the chance to go apple picking this past weekend and came back with nearly a 1/2 bushel of apples - a mix of MacIntosh, Jonathan, Stayman and Golden Delicious. When I returned with my haul of apples, I knew exactly which recipe I wanted to try first. I came across a recipe for Apple Dumpling Slices via King Arthur Flour. I liked the twist on a traditional apple dumpling and it reminded me of my favorite blackberry cobbler recipe.

Essentially, you make a quick biscuit dough, fill it with chopped apples and cinnamon, roll it up, slice it and place on top a layer of melted butter and then pour a sweet apple cider syrup on top. (And commence the drooling.)

The instructions may seem complicated (you are making 3 separate elements) - but everything comes together quite easily. This cobbler (as I like to think of it) is delicious hot out of the oven or at room temperature, with ice cream or without, with a fork or with your fingers. Anyway you look at it, this is a delicious way to enjoy the flavors of the season!

APPLE DUMPLING COBBLER

adapted from King Arthur Flour

4 Tbsp butter, melted
1 cup apple cider
1 cup sugar
2 cups apples, peeled and finely chopped
1 tsp cinnamon
2 cups self-raising flour (*see note below)
6 Tbst cold butter, cubed
1/2 cup milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Pour melted butter into 9x13 pan and spread evenly across the bottom. Set aside.
In a small saucepan, heat apple cider and sugar until sugar is melted and mixture is clear. Set aside.
Mix chopped apples with cinnamon. Set aside.
In a large bowl, add flour and cut in cold butter until mixture is crumbly. Add milk and mix just until dough comes together. Knead gently until dough becomes cohesive.
Roll out dough into a 10x15 rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Sprinkle chopped apples over entire surface of dough.
Using the long edge, roll up the dough into a log. Divide into 16 slices (tip: start cutting in the middle and work your way to the ends. The dough may be crumbly and the slices may try to fall apart - but don't worry, it will still taste delicious!)
Arrange each slice on top of the melted butter in the prepared pan. Pour the apple cider syrup over top of all the slices.
Bake for 40-45 minutes, until lightly browned and the syrup is bubbly.

*Note: To substitute for 1 cup self-raising flour, add 1 1/2 tsp baking powder and 1/4 tsp salt to 1 cup all-purpose flour.