Blog - Inside BruCrew Life

Halloween Frosted Animal Cookies

These Halloween Frosted Animal Cookies are dipped in white and orange candy melts and topped with colorful sprinkles for a fun, festive treat! They're perfect for Halloween parties, school events, or adding to treat bags for friends and family.

A round black tray filled with Halloween animal cookies.

[feast_advanced_jump_to]

I love making Halloween recipes, and every year I try to add something new and fun to my spooktacular lineup. This year I saw the Eerie Critters Cookies at Target and immediately knew I wanted to make a homemade version. Sure, I could have just bought a bag, but where is the fun in that?

After ordering some new cookie cutters from Amazon and pulling out some Wilton ones I already had, I chose a cat, ghosts, a pumpkin, a skull, and a witch hat for the spooky season.

Starting with my Halloween Oreo cookies and leaving out the cocoa powder gave me a simple vanilla dough that holds its shape while baking. Once they cooled, I dipped them in chocolate and added holiday nonpareils. They turned out just like the store-bought version, but honestly, the homemade ones tasted better!

Why You'll Love These Halloween Animal Cookies

A fun holiday twist. The white and orange candy coating and colorful sprinkles turn these spooky cookies into a boo-tiful treat.
Easy to decorate. Dipping and decorating are fun activities, and kids will love helping with the sprinkles.
Perfect for Halloween parties. Add them to a dessert table, tuck them into treat bags, or share on a Halloween-themed charcuterie board.

[Read more...]

Halloween Chocolate Chip Cookies

These Halloween Chocolate Chip Cookies are thick, puffy, and a colorful monster mash up of fun. The green, purple, and orange dough is loaded with chocolate chips, Oreos, M&M's, and sprinkles. They're a festive treat for a Halloween party or a spooky dessert table.

[feast_advanced_jump_to]

Halloween is one of my favorite times of year to make fun treats. Mostly because I love adding googly eyes to everything! Those little candy eyes make even a simple dessert, like these no bake ghost cookies, so much fun.

This year, I turned my favorite thick chocolate chip cookies into a Halloween monster mash. I tinted the dough three different colors, then mixed in some of my favorite cookies and candies. I felt like a mad scientist as I was rolling everything together.

They turned out so well, and I love how colorful and bright each cookie looks. Adding the candy eyes and bones after baking was my favorite part of making the monster treats.

Why You'll Love These Halloween Monster Cookies

No chilling required. The dough is ready to shape and bake as soon as you mix it.
Three colors in every cookie. The orange, purple, and green dough give each cookie a colorful look. Since you're combining the colors by hand, every one will look a little different.
Loaded with lots of good stuff. Each cookie has Oreo chunks, candy, and a healthy dose of sprinkles!

[Read more...]

Nutella Pumpkin Bread

This Nutella Pumpkin Bread is soft, moist, and full of warm fall spices, with a swirl of Nutella baked in the middle and on top. It looks fancy, but it's actually one of the easiest fall quick bread recipes you will make.

A loaf of pumpkin Nutella bread cut open showing the swirl inside.

The post and recipe for Nutella pumpkin bread was first published in November 2011. It was updated with new photos and information in September 2026.

[feast_advanced_jump_to]

When pumpkin season finally rolls around, I am ready for it! Fall is my favorite time of year, and I love everything that comes with it. Cool mornings with a cup of coffee and plenty of pumpkin baking are at the top of my list.

I make this chocolate chip pumpkin bread every year, but this time I decided to switch things up a little. I swapped the chocolate chips for Nutella and swirled it into the moist pumpkin bread. Let me just say, pumpkin and Nutella are a pretty amazing combo!

Slices of Nutella pumpkin bread on a white tray.

The bread is soft and full of warm spices, but the best part is the hazelnut spread swirled through the middle and on top. It looks fancy, but it's actually easy to do. Plus, you get chocolate in every bite.

And if you want the ultimate fall breakfast, warm up a slice and enjoy it with a salted caramel pumpkin latte. Now that's my kind of morning!

Why You'll Love This Pumpkin Nutella Bread Recipe

Soft, moist, and full of fall flavor. Pumpkin puree keeps the bread tender and moist, while cinnamon adds the cozy flavor we love this time of year.
A Nutella swirl! Swirling the spread in the middle AND on top makes every slice look gorgeous, and you get chocolate in every bite.
Perfect with coffee. Warm up a slice and grab your favorite coffee for the coziest fall breakfast or afternoon treat.

[Read more...]

Cookies and Cream Popsicles

These creamy Cookies and Cream Popsicles are a delicious copycat of Yasso bars. Made with Greek yogurt and Oreo Thins, they are cool, refreshing, and more affordable than the store-bought ones!

[feast_advanced_jump_to]

We've had a heat advisory in Florida for six days straight this month. Going outside feels like walking into an oven, and I'm so over the humid summer heat. At least there are ice cream tacos and popsicles in my freezer to enjoy every afternoon.

Lately I have been buying cookies-and-cream Yasso bars. They are really good, but a box of 4 costs around $6. That's $1.50 each! This adds up quickly, especially when we eat them so fast. So I decided to make a homemade version!

I started with Greek yogurt and a splash of milk, then whisked in a sugar-free pudding mix until it was thick and creamy. Adding Cool Whip and crushed Oreos gave it a light, fluffy texture with a cookie flavor. I spent around $16 and made 24 popsicles, which comes out to about $0.67 each. Totally worth it for all those yogurt popsicles in the freezer!

Why You'll Love Homemade Oreo Popsicles

Budget-friendly! These homemade bars have the same refreshing flavor as the Yasso bars, but they cost way less to make.
A protein boost for your sweet tooth. Greek yogurt and Fairlife milk give these popsicle treats a creamy texture and a little protein boost.
Light, fluffy, and lower in sugar. Using Oreo Thins, zero sugar pudding, and light Cool Whip keeps the sugar content lower while still adding a slight cookie crunch.
Ready in minutes with zero baking. Mix, pour, freeze, and done. The freezer does all the hard work!

[Read more...]

Chocolate Fudge Brownie Ice Cream

This homemade Chocolate Fudge Brownie Ice Cream has hot fudge ribbons and chewy brownie chunks in every single scoop. Rich, creamy, and no eggs or cooking required. The chocolate lovers in your life are going to love this dessert!

[feast_advanced_jump_to]

One of my all-time favorite desserts is a hot fudge brownie sundae. There is just something about brownies and ice cream topped with hot fudge that is incredible. So, this summer I set out to turn that into an ice cream flavor.

I used the same base as my chocolate peanut butter ice cream because it is so rich and creamy. My recipe does not have eggs, and there is no cooking, so it is so easy to make. All you do is whisk everything together, then let your machine do the hard work.

To get that sundae flavor, I added brownie chunks and hot fudge throughout the container. If you love Ben and Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie, this one is going to be your new favorite!

When I made this ice cream, I didn't have time to bake brownies. So, I bought pre-baked brownies from Walmart, and honestly, they were the perfect texture and saved me time. If you have time, bake these chocolate chip brownies instead. Just underbake them slightly and let them cool before adding them to layers.

Why You'll Love This Chocolate Brownie Ice Cream

No eggs and no cooking. Just whisk everything in a bowl, then pour it in and let the machine do all the work.
Extra rich and creamy. Heavy cream and whole milk give this homemade ice cream a rich and creamy texture that is honestly better than store-bought.
Hot fudge ribbons and brownie chunks. Triple the chocolate goodness in every single bite. Yes please!

[Read more...]

Peach Butter

This homemade peach butter is thick, silky smooth, and has a deep, rich caramel flavor from fresh summer peaches and brown sugar. Spread it on warm biscuits, stir it into oatmeal, or spoon it over vanilla ice cream.

[feast_advanced_jump_to]

I love making homemade fruit butters and sauces with fresh seasonal produce, and peach season is one of my favorites. Making a peach crumble pie and a peach dump cake is usually my first task. Then I cook the rest into a thick, silky spread.

Most peach butters use white sugar so the color stays lighter, but I prefer to use brown sugar instead. It gives this peach butter a deeper, richer caramel flavor and creates such a rich, dark amber color that is so pretty in jars.

We enjoyed this homemade peach butter on biscuits, toast, and even in a fun summer latte. And it makes the most beautiful homemade gift too! A jar tied with a ribbon and a tag is one of my favorite gifts for friends and neighbors in peach season.

Why You'll Love This Peach Butter Recipe

Richer flavor and deeper color. Using brown sugar produces a dark amber color and a sweet caramel undertone.
No pectin required! Just cook it low and slow, and the peaches do all the work naturally. No special ingredients or equipment needed!
So many ways to enjoy it. Toast, biscuits, oatmeal, yogurt, ice cream, and so much more. You will find yourself reaching for it every time you open the fridge.
Makes a beautiful gift. Spoon it into a pretty mason jar and tie on a ribbon. This makes a thoughtful and delicious gift for anyone who loves homemade goodies.

[Read more...]

Chubby Hubby Ice Cream Pie

This homemade Chubby Hubby Ice Cream Pie has a buttery pretzel crust and a no churn vanilla malt ice cream filling. It is swirled with hot fudge, peanut butter, and chocolate-covered pretzels. Sweet, salty, creamy, and crunchy in every bite!

The post for Chubby Hubby Ice Cream Pie was first published in July 2018. The post was updated and republished in July 2026.

[feast_advanced_jump_to]

Okay, fun fact. I did not like ice cream when I was a kid. Apparently, ice cream was too cold for me, but I would eat Jell-O pudding pops at my grandpa's house. Make that make sense!

Good thing I grew out of that phase! Ice cream is basically a food group here in Florida, and this Chubby Hubby ice cream pie is one of my favorites.

Have you ever had Ben and Jerry's Chubby Hubby Ice Cream? I've heard it's amazing, but I can never find it in our local grocery stores. I thought maybe it had been sent to the flavor graveyard, but apparently it's still sold in some regions.

Since I cannot try the original, I decided to make my own version at home. I turned it into a frozen pie with a pretzel crust. Malt powder gives it that classic Chubby Hubby taste.

A Chubby Hubby ice cream pie with a slice missing from the plate.

Chocolate-covered pretzels, hot fudge swirls, and peanut butter ribbons make every slice taste like the elusive pint I can never find. In fact, my version turned out so good that I have stopped looking for the Ben & Jerry's version.

Why You'll Love This Chubby Hubby Ice Cream Recipe

All the Chubby Hubby flavors in one pie. Homemade vanilla malt ice cream with fudge, peanut butter, and pretzels makes this frozen dessert taste just like the real thing.
No ice cream maker needed! With just a few simple ingredients and a mixer, this no-churn ice cream comes together in minutes.
A pretzel crust. Buttery and slightly salty, this is the perfect base for the sweet and creamy layers.
You can make it ahead of time. This pie needs to freeze overnight, so all the work is done the day before. Just slice and serve when you are ready!

[Read more...]

Cherry Vanilla Ice Cream

This homemade Cherry Vanilla Ice Cream has swirls of fresh cherry filling and chocolate chunks in every single scoop. It is cool, refreshing, and so much better than anything you can buy in stores!

[feast_advanced_jump_to]

My husband's favorite ice cream flavor is Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia. So a few years ago, I decided to make my own version at home.

Living in Florida means ice cream is a year-round must. I love keeping homemade ice cream in the freezer all the time. The ice cream maker gets used regularly around here. We love making coffee ice cream and cookies and cream ice cream when it's hot outside.

This ice cream base uses no eggs and no cooking. Just whisk everything together and let the machine do all the work. The hardest part is waiting for it to freeze.

I layered the creamy homemade vanilla base with cherry preserves and chopped Hershey bars. It immediately became a family favorite. Every scoop has beautiful cherry swirls and chocolate pieces. Trust me, you will love it too.

A close up of a waffle cone filled with scoops of cherry vanilla ice cream.

Why You'll Love Homemade Cherry Vanilla Ice Cream

It's a delicious Cherry Garcia copycat. Homemade cherry filling and chocolate candy bar chunks add a fun twist to plain vanilla ice cream. Once you make it at home, you'll never go back to store-bought.
So easy to make. Just whisk the ingredients together and let the machine do all the work. It's easy and fast.
The layers are gorgeous. Alternating layers of ice cream and cherries create the swirls in every scoop. It is such an easy technique, but it makes a big difference.
Perfect for a hot summer day. Cool, creamy, and loaded with fresh summer cherries. This is the kind of treat that makes a hot day feel so much better.

[Read more...]

4th of July Cake

This Confetti 4th of July Cake is a festive dessert for any Independence Day celebration. Red, white, and blue sprinkles give every slice a fun, colorful surprise. The vanilla buttercream topped with an M&M American flag makes it stand out on any holiday table.

[feast_advanced_jump_to]

Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays to bake for. There are so many fun ways to add stars and stripes to a dessert. A few of my favorites are firecracker cupcakes and red, white, and blue cheesecake bars.

As a bicentennial baby, I wanted to make a patriotic flag cake to celebrate America's 250th birthday. As soon as I saw the red, white, and blue M&M's in the store, I knew they were perfect for an American flag pattern.

I used my chocolate chip cake for the base, but replaced the chocolate chips with holiday sprinkles, turning it into a funfetti cake. My favorite part, though, was the M&M flag on top! It added such a fun touch.

Why You'll Love This Flag Cake Recipe

Holiday sprinkles in every square. Red, white, and blue jimmies are perfect for stirring into white or yellow cake batter. They hold their color, creating a confetti look in every slice.
The M&M flag is easier than it looks! You do not need any special skills to decorate this cake. All you have to do is place candies in a row!
Great for parties and crowds. A 9x13 sheet cake can be cut into 15-24 servings, so it's great for a backyard barbecue or cookout.

[Read more...]

Strawberry Cheesecake Cups

Hot days call for cool and creamy Strawberry Cheesecake Cups. Made in a blender with cottage cheese and fresh berries, this no bake dessert comes together in minutes. A spoonful of jam and a swirl of whipped cream make every cup so pretty and delicious.

Four clear jars filled with no bake strawberry cheesecake and strawberry chia jam.

This post was first published in March 2012. It was updated with new pictures and text in June 2026.

[feast_advanced_jump_to]

Cottage cheese is trending right now, and these cups show exactly why! When you blend it until it's smooth, it loses the lumpy texture and becomes a silky, creamy base for desserts.

The flavor is mild and slightly tangy, which makes it a surprising swap for cream cheese in a cheesecake filling. It is lighter, has a higher protein content, and really tastes like the real thing.

When it is hot outside, I am all about no bake desserts. I love making parfaits and cheesecake cups to avoid using the oven. This week, I blended cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, and fresh strawberries to make a creamy cheesecake filling.

After chilling for a few hours, we had the most adorable little desserts for the week. The spoonful of strawberry chia jam on top added the perfect extra berry touch!

Why Make Strawberry Cheesecake Dessert Cups

Easy to make. Toss it all in the blender and pulse until smooth. It's literally that easy, and you don't have to heat your kitchen with the oven.
Light and packed with protein. Cottage cheese and yogurt make these a lighter treat that also adds protein to your day.
Strawberry chia jam topping. A spoonful of fresh jam on top adds more berry flavor and makes the jars so pretty.
Individual servings. These treats are great for parties or for enjoying something sweet every day this week.
Make-ahead friendly. Pop them in the fridge a few hours ahead or the night before and add the toppings right before serving.

[Read more...]