2 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 1/2 cups water
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
To make caramel sauce, combine butter, brown sugar, and water in saucepan. Bring to boil; reduce heat to simmer. Make dumplings by mixing flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in bowl; stir in milk and vanilla (batter should be stiff). Drop by teaspoon into simmering caramel sauce. Cover pan and simmer for 20 minutes. Do not remove lid till time is up. Spoon into serving dishes and serve with cream or ice cream, if desired.