In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon.
Cut in the softened butter and stir in the milk. Fold in the pecans. The dough will be sticky. Set aside.
In a medium pot, combine the water, brown sugar, and butter. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
As soon as it comes to boil, remove from the heat and stir in vanilla extract.
Pour into the 9x13 pan.
Drop spoonfuls of dumpling batter into the syrup.
Place pan in the oven and bake for 30 minutes or until the top of the dumpling dough is done and golden brown.
Remove and let cool slightly.
Best served over vanilla ice cream and topped with extra pecan pieces.