preparation
Sift flour into a deep mixing bowl. Form a well and fill with crumbled yeast, some milk and some sugar. Stir and let rest in a warm spot for 20 – 30 minutes. Then add remaining milk and sugar, vanilla, egg, butter, and grated lemon peel. Mix to form a smooth dough which releases easily from sides of bowl.
Sprinkle work surface with flour and roll dough out about 1-inch thick. Cut into squares. Put a teaspoon of apricot marmalade or prune filling in the center of each square and close dough around filling.
Butter a large pan or casserole and place filled dough squares with smooth side up and touching one another in the pan. Cover and let rise 15 – 20 minutes. In the meantime, preheat oven to 375° F.
Generously baste tops of dumplings with butter. Bake for about 45 minutes. Baste again with butter. Dumplings are done when golden brown.