Fourth of July

Fourth of July
Let's get patriotic! 

One easy syrup with lots of versatility makes hosting a BBQ this July 4th super easy.

This July 4th, why not try this easy raspberry syrup to help add a little red to your red, white and blue? Simply wash raspberries and add them to a pot with about a 1/4-inch of water. Sprinkle sugar on top, stir, and then just slowly simmer while covered until the raspberries fall apart. The possibilities are endless for how to enjoy it, but here are three of our favorite ways:

• Raspberry Bubbly (cocktail or mocktail)
• Raspberry Whipped Cream
• Raspberry-topped Sundae

Don't love raspberries? It's easy to make with strawberries or blueberries instead, and just as patriotic!

But our all-time favorite go-to for July 4th, 

which can easily incorporate the raspberry syrup (especially as the whipped cream), is a full-on brownie sundae bar. This is just as easy to do if you're bringing the dessert to someone else's fete as it is to do at your own home. Start with the World's Best Brownies (the only thing you probably want to bake in this heat since they bake at 250), then add toppings as you see fit. Some of our favorites:

• Raspberry Whipped Cream
• Fresh blueberries and strawberries
• Vanilla ice cream
• Cinnamon hearts
• Crushed peppermints (the red and white kind)
• Red and blue M&Ms
• Chocolate chips
• Chopped walnuts or almonds
• Shredded coconut
• Crushed mini-pretzels

If you're traveling, you don't need to bring so much--just some canned whipped cream (keep it simple) and blueberries and strawberries. You can individually wrap the brownies in Saran wrap and set up a little station wherever you are. At home, you can go as nuts as your red-and-blue imagination will let you. And the brownies freeze nicely, so you can make them ahead of time and just set them out the day of the party. A dessert "bar" is a fun way to get your guests up and socializing towards the end of the party, too.