Burnt Sugar Dumplings

Sauce
1 1/2 cups granulated  sugar, divided
1/3 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter
2 cups hot water

Dumpling Dough
1 1/2 cups flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup chopped nuts, optional

In a large heavy skillet brown 1/2 cup sugar. It begin to caramelize but will dissolve when other ingredients are added. Remove from heat and add remaining sugar, butter, salt and water. Stir until lumps melt. Put back on heat. Add flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Cut in butter. Add milk and mix dumpling dough stirring until dough clings together. Drop dumpling dough into boiling syrup. Cover and simmer 15 minutes.

Serve warm with scoops of ice cream.

Serves 10 to 15.