Instead of serving plain ice cream as a dessert, take a can of fruit, such as black cherries or peaches, and warm in a saucepan over low heat. Continue thickening the fruit by adding a teaspoon of cornstarch. Another way to punch up the sauce is to add some orange juice, some citrus zest or even a favorite liqueur. Pour over the ice cream for a quick gourmet topping. This can also be done with any fresh fruit.
Pears are great to have around when a quick dessert is needed.
Cut them in half, place in a baking dish, sprinkle with brown sugar and a pat of butter on top. Bake uncovered at 350 degress for 30 minutes. Instead of tossing that old bread out to the birds, turn it into a dessert topping. Break the bread into crumbs, and mix with brown sugar and nuts to taste. Sprinkle it over sliced apples and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.