dumplings:
1 1/2 cup flour
1/4 tsp salt
4 tsp butter
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup milk (sometimes more)
Caramel Sauce
1 cup sugar ( for a great flavor use brown)
2 1/2 cups boiling water
1/4 cup butter
1/8 tsp salt
Mix dumplings together with a spoon. Set aside.
In a heave skillet (cast iron is great), over low heat, melt sugar until it is caramel colored. When sugar is melted to a golden brown add boiling water, butter and salt.( I use very hot tap water) Careful it will splatter! Simmer 10 minutes. Drop dumpling dough by spoonfuls into the hot syrup and let cook for 25 minutes. Cover part of the cooking time to insure doness on top. Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream.
Another way to caramelize the sugar is putting the water in the pan with the sugar and bringing it to a boil. This makes a lighter caramel. Also less dangerous with little ones around. This is a family favorite and when the kids were little dh took them out of the room when I made this dessert. They knew never to be in the kitchen ifthey wanted caramel dumplings.
