1. Begin by melting the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once melted, add the apple slices, stirring to coat them in the butter.
2. Sprinkle the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg over the apples. Stir well to combine, and let the apples cook for about 10 minutes, or until they are soft and caramelized. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
3. Stir in the vanilla extract and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
4. While the apples are cooling slightly, preheat your waffle iron and cook the waffles according to package or recipe instructions if using homemade. Aim for a golden-brown finish.
5. Once the waffles are ready, top each waffle with a generous helping of the caramelized apples.
6. For an extra touch of sweetness, dust with powdered sugar and drizzle with maple syrup if desired.
7. Serve immediately and enjoy the delightful blend of flavors and textures.

One tip I have is to use a non-stick skillet for the apples to ensure easy cleanup. Also, if you want to get ahead of the game, the apples can be prepared a day in advance and simply reheated before serving.