It’s National Caramel Month, not that we needed another excuse to dig in to this tasty tan treat. A jar of caramel sauce is an excellent companion for plain pound cake, brownies, pie, ice cream or as a dip for fresh fruit. Play “pastry chef” and drizzle microwaved caramel back and forth across the plate before adding the main dessert. Plain fruit becomes a deluxe fruit platter with caramel dipping sauce: A small warming dish with a tea candle keeps the caramel hot. For individual fruit plates, put the caramel in shot glasses, sake cups or espresso cups and warm the filled cups briefly in the microwave.