Homemade Gifts For The Sweet Tooth: Dessert Toppings

What lovelier gift for that someone with a sweet tooth, than a trio of delectable dessert toppings! HIDDEN TREASURE TOPPING Ingredients * 12 ounces (about 2 cups) pitted prunes * Assorted fillings (candied fruit, candied ginger pieces, and walnut pieces) * Cinnamon sticks * Strips of orange peel * Liquid of your choice (fruit juices, fruit liqueurs, port) Directions 1. Stuff prunes with your choice of fillings. 2. Place in two, half-pint, wide-mouth jars. Add cinnamon sticks and strips of peel to jars, as desired. 3. Pour in liquid to cover prunes. Cover jars: let stand at least 24 hours to plump prunes. 4. Store in refrigerator up to 1 month. Spoon over holiday cakes, ice cream, and puddings. HOT FUDGE TOPPING Ingredients * 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk * 1 package (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips * 1 cup sugar * 1 tablespoon margarine or butter * 1 teaspoon vanilla Directions 1. Heat evaporated milk, chocolate chips, and sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly, until chocolate is melted and mixture bubbles: remove from heat. 2. Stir in margarine and vanilla. Pour into jars; cover tightly. Refrigerate no longer than 4 weeks. Serve warm over cake or ice cream. STRASBOURG SAUCE Ingredients * 2 cups strawberry preserves * 1/3 cup strawberry liqueur * 2 tablespoons orange juice Directions 1. Combine all ingredients, stirring until well blended. This is delicious on plain cake, pudding, or ice cream. Yield: 2 ½ cups sauce. HAZELNUT SAUCE Ingredients * 2/3 cup brown sugar * ¼ cup light corn syrup * ¼ cup Hazelnut liqueur * 1 tablespoon milk or cream Directions 1. In a small saucepan combine brown sugar and corn syrup. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until mixture comes to a boil. Simmer for 1 minute. 2. Remove from heat. Stir in liqueur and milk. Cool to room temperature to serve; may be kept refrigerated in glass jar up to 4 weeks. BRANDIED TOPPING Ingredients * 3 cups packed brown sugar * 1 cup light corn syrup * ½ cup margarine or butter * ½ cup whipping cream * 1 tablespoon brandy or 1 teaspoon brandy flavoring Directions 1. Heat brown sugar, corn syrup and margarine to boiling over medium heat, stirring constantly; remove from heat. 2. Stir in whipping cream and brandy; cool. Pour into jars; cover tightly. Refrigerate up to 3 months. Serve warm over ice cream. MERRY BERRY SAUCE Ingredients * 1 cup sliced, fresh strawberries * ¼ cup sugar * 1 cup fresh blueberries * ½ cup strawberry liqueur Directions 1. In a medium saucepan, combine strawberries and sugar; let stand 30 minutes. Cook over low heat for one minute, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Cook for one minute longer. 2. Remove from heat; stir in blueberries and liqueur. Cool. Serve over ice cream, if desired. Fill into jars to give as gifts.