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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.