Cooking sugar is an art, but an art worth developing when the result is as good as this caramel sauce. Drizzle this luscious concoction over baked apples, waffles or vanilla ice cream.

Caramel Sauce

2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup water
1 (14-ounce.) can NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Sweetened Condensed Milk
1/2 cup butter, softened - divided use
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1. Combine sugar and water in medium, heavy-duty saucepan; cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture comes to a boil. Continue to boil, without stirring, for 10 to 14 minutes, tilting pan occasionally to keep color even until mixture turns a deep caramel color.
   Remove from heat.
2. Stir in sweetened condensed milk (mixture will foam up); do not scrape sides of pan. Add half the butter, one tablespoon at a time, stirring well after each addition. Stir in remaining butter and vanilla extract until smooth. Serve over ice cream or cake, if desired.

Makes 3 cups.

Recipe and photograph are the property of Nestlé® and Meals.com, used with permission.