Laura Loves...Watermelon Shooters

I have found the PERFECT summer drink! While looking online for some fresh ideas for a backyard BBQ I came across this video from the Food Network. 

(Photo credit: Food Network)

Watermelon shot glasses!! 

It's taking the quintessential summer food and then making it really fun and I LOVE it! The video shows you how to cut your melon and use a small scoop to make room for the liquid. Such a simple yet brilliant idea. We LOVE that around here.

(Photo credit: Food Network)

Really you could use almost any alcohol in these. I happen to LOVE coconut rum, so that's what we used. Coconut is so tropical that it really fit our summer theme. I imagine this would be good with a vanilla or even a blackberry rum as well. 

(Photo Credit: Captain Morgan)

I LOVED how these tasted and I LOVED being able to present my guests with such a unique and fun drink. Added bonus that I LOVED? Fewer dishes to wash at the end of the night!

Love,

Laura

Laura Loves...Raymond Crawford's Cookie series!

Have you seen this new cookie series from Raymond Crawford? I LOVE them!

They are all about 3.5 inches in diameter and are designed to look just like a frosted sugar cookie. Aren't they fabulous!? He has numerous designs that cover most of the holidays, plus some that are just for fun. I LOVE how vibrant the colors are (just like real frosting!).

I LOVE that they are small which makes them quick to stitch. They are also affordable so you can make as many as you want! These are the perfect weekend project.

Have you ever received a delicious edible cookie arrangement? I'm envisioning a dozen of these cookie canvases stitched up and finished on a stick and then artfully arranged in a basket, just like the edible version! Less calories and what a beautiful gift that would be. I would LOVE to give that as a hostess gift!

Or stitch up a seasonally appropriate variety and display them on a tray at your holiday party. Your guests will be intrigued and probably LOVE them too!

We have a small selection of these cookies available for immediate purchase. If you see some other designs you'd like, we'd LOVE to special order them for you!

Most of all I LOVE that I get all the fun of making and decorating cookies without the calories.

Laura Loves...Congo Squares

Sometimes I want the taste of a cookie, but the texture of a brownie. Enter Congo Squares! I just LOVE this recipe!

My cousin introduced me to this recipe and it's become a favorite at our house. You can mix it up by substituting different flavored chips instead of just chocolate, you can add frosting and toppings for a celebration, or you can serve it warm with some ice cream. Divine!

These also freeze well, which I love! I can satisfy my sweet tooth craving and then stash the rest in the freezer for another day. Or make this dessert ahead of time for an event or busy weekend.

One tip...remove them from the oven just before they look completely done. Just like a brownie, they are better just a little bit undercooked as they cool. Otherwise they can come out a little on the dry side.

I hope you LOVE these Congo Squares as much as I do!

Laura Loves...Fran's Chocolate

So this week I'm showing a little love to my favorite chocolate shop, because one needs more than just needlepoint to be happy. I love Fran's Chocolates! I mean I really, really, REALLY love Fran's Chocolates...perhaps even obsessed!

Fran's does the best Salted Caramel Chocolates that I have ever had. Ever. They offer these delicious treats in both milk chocolate and dark chocolate, a little something for everyone. I've tried other brands and nothing compares to Fran's. They also make amazing truffles, their Espresso Truffle is what dreams are made of!

Fran's is located in Seattle, WA where they have a few store fronts. Of course you can also purchase their delicious treats online. The staff at Fran's (and don't they have the best job on earth?) is wonderful and accommodating. I recently hosted a party and contacted Fran's to do the party favors. They did a beautiful job of presenting their fine chocolate in a lovely white box with a purple ribbon to match the party colors.

Check them out and just try to hold back, I bet you can't eat just one!

Laura Loves…Creamy Crockpot Hot Cocoa

I LOVE this recipe, it makes the best hot cocoa EVER! Really. No, really it does! There are a few versions of this recipe available online, my inspiration came from Mrs. Happy Homemaker. I have tweaked it and just love my variation. Here is the recipe.

Ingredients: 
1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk
6 cups milk (I use 2%)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
dash of salt

Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until mixture is hot and all chocolate chips are melted. Stir again before serving. Garnish as desired.

If I am entertaining I love to make a double batch and have a Hot Cocoa Bar for my guests. I offer a selection of toppings such as; mini marshmallows, candy canes, whipped cream, Andes mints, and Kahlua for the adults. Everyone can make their very own custom mug, just the way they like it! Every time I serve this I get nothing but RAVE reviews! I love how easy it is to make and so impressively delicious.

But here is my real secret true-love obsession with this hot cocoa: MOCHAS! Oh my…they are amazing! I heat the left over cocoa and add it to my morning coffee. Heaven in a cup.

'Tis the season and I love to make Creamy Crockpot Hot Cocoa!

Happy holidays everyone!

~Laura

Laura Loves...Iced Pumpkin Cookies!

I love to make Iced Pumpkin Cookies and just HAD to share the recipe with you! These cookies are so soft and the icing is yummy and simple.

I've made these two ways: drizzled and dipped. Drizzling the icing on was good, but dipping the tops of each cookie in the icing just made it so much better! I definitely recommend that method. Dip, people, dip!

We did find that these came out a little better if you slightly undercook them.

'Tis the season and I just LOVE to make (and eat) Iced Pumpkin Cookies!

~Laura