Dessert In a Bottle

Dessert In a Bottle

This is a great present to make and give.
It just keeps on the shelf quietly getting better and better.
Collect your favourite dried fruits, you can make up your own combination- I used white figs, prunes, cranberries, apple, apricots,sultanas, currants and dates.
The dessert can be topped up as it diminishes and there are so many ways to use it.
Serve with icecream, custard or yoghurt, a slice of cake, with pannacotta or bake a sheet of pastry and serve with a blob of cream or creme patisserie and a spoon of the boozy fruit.
1.5 kg of dried fruit
1/2 cups brown sugar
strips of lemon rind from 1 lemon
4 star anise
2 cinnamon sticks
1 vanilla bean split lengthways
1 bottle of brandy
Combine the dried fruit in a large bowl and pour enough boiling water over the top to completely cover.
Stand overnight
Put clean jars in a 100c oven to sterilise.
Boil the lids.
Drain the fruit and pour the liquid into a saucepan.
Add the sugar, lemon zest, cinnamon, star anise and vanilla bean.
Stir over a low heat until the sugar has completely dissolved.
Carefully remove the jars from the oven and tightly pack in the fruit.
Spoon alternative equal amounts of syrup then brandy until the fruit is completely covered.
Seal and stand for a few weeks before using.
I made 7 jars but it totally depends on their size. Its better to sterilise more than you think you need, just in case!
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