Recipes A to Z....."I" is for Ice Cream Sundae Toppings

My favorite ice cream sundae is pistachio ice cream with hot fudge sauce. If you have never tried it, please do. It's heavenly!

Ice cream sundaes are the easiest dessert to make for company. It is a no-brainer! Buy some vanilla ice cream and set out several toppings and let guests make their own sundaes. Include whipped cream, chocolate sprinkles and nuts. It's fun!

For 4 Sundaes

2 squares unsweetened chocolate

6 Tablespoons water

1/2 cup sugar

Dash of salt

3 Tablespoons butter or margarine

1/4 teaspoon vanilla

Combine chocolate and water in saucepan and place over low heat, stirring until blended. Add sugar and salt. Cook until sugar is dissolved and mixture very slightly thickened, stirring constantly. Add butter and vanilla. Makes about 1 cup sauce.

For 16 Sundaes (A Party!)

8 squares unsweetened chocolate

1 1/2 cups water

2 cups sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 sticks butter or marjarine

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 cup maple syrup per sundae

handful pecans per serving

whipping cream - 1/2 pint for 4 servings

You'll need just the whipped cream and strawberries.

1 pint fresh or 1 package (10 oz) quick-frozen sliced berries

1/2 pint whipping cream

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/4 cup light corn syrup

1/4 cup butter

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup light cream

Combine sugar, corn syrup, butter and water in saucepan. Place over low heat and cook until a small amount of syrup forms a very soft ball in cold water (or to a temperature of 232 degrees F). Remove from heat. Stir in cream. Serve warm. Makes 1 3/4 cups sauce.

1 1/2 cups maple syrup

1 can pitted Bing cherries with juice, about 2 1/2 cups

1 Tablespoon butter

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

8 sugar cubes

1 Tablespoon orange or lemon extract

Combine syrup, cherries with juice, cinnamon and nutmeg in a large saucepan or skillet. Simmer 8 minutes. Remove cherries and arrange in individual serving dishes. Continue simmering sauce 5 to 8 minutes or until slightly thickened and glossy. Just before serving sundae, dip sugar cubes in extract and place one on top of each ice cream sundae. Light cubes and serve at once. Serves 8.