Very Berry Topping Recipes

Steps:

• Combine the berries, sugar, lemon zest and juice in a medium saucepan set over medium heat. Bring to a boil and cook until the berries burst and the liquid starts to thicken, about 5 minutes.
• Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve, forcing the berries through by pushing and scraping with a rubber spatula. The more you force through, the thicker the sauce will be (the pulp closest to the seeds contains the most pectin, which is a natural thickener). Let cool completely and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Steps:

• Put the cranberries, orange juice, brown sugar, granulated sugar and whiskey in a large saucepan and bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes. Add the blueberries and raspberries and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes. Set aside to cool, then transfer to a jar and keep in the fridge until cold and thick.

Steps:

• Toss strawberries with 1/4 cup sugar. Let sit until juicy, 20 minutes.
• Whip heavy cream with remaining sugar.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put the flour, oats, butter and sugar in a bowl, squash together with your fingers into a crumble texture, sprinkle over a baking tray and bake for 10 mins, stirring and roughly breaking up halfway through cooking. Can be done up to 2 days ahead, and stored in an airtight container.
• Meanwhile, put the strawberries, sugar and cornflour in a large pan. Stir together and set over a medium heat. Cook until the strawberries just start to release their juices and soften, then stir in the remaining berries. Transfer to an ovenproof baking dish.
• When the crumble topping is cooked, sprinkle it over the fruit, and place back in the oven for a further 15 mins until bubbling and golden. Leave for 5 mins before serving with ice cream or custard.

Steps:

• Spray bottom and sides of 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Place bread cubes in dish. In large bowl, beat eggs, half-and-half, 1/4 cup sugar, the cinnamon, salt and vanilla with wire whisk until smooth; pour over bread cubes. Cover tightly; refrigerate at least 4 hours but no longer than 24 hours.
• Heat oven to 400°F. Uncover dish; bake 25 to 35 minutes or until golden brown and knife inserted in center comes out clean.
• Meanwhile, in 2-quart saucepan, stir together 1 cup sugar and the cornstarch. Stir in orange juice until smooth. Stir in mixed berries. Heat to boiling over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook about 6 minutes, stirring constantly, until topping is slightly thickened. Remove from heat.
• Just before serving, stir strawberries into topping. Serve warm over French toast bake.

Steps:

• Mix the berries and cherry jam together, and spoon into your trifle bowl. Scatter over the madeira cake and push down a little into the berries.
• Put the custard, mascarpone and 3 tbsp sugar in a bowl together and beat until smooth, then dollop all over the trifle. Put the double cream, remaining 2 tbsp sugar and sherry in a bowl and beat until soft peaks form. Cling film both the trifle bowl and cream and chill until ready to serve. You can do this up to 24 hours in advance.
• To serve, spoon the sherry cream all over the trifle, then scatter with your favourite decoration.

Steps:

• Combine berries with sugar. Stir occasionally for 45 minutes, and watch as they transform into a vibrant, juicy sauce. Serve over ice cream, pancakes, or shortcake. For a float, alternate the berries with scoops of ice cream and top it all off with seltzer.