Blog - Inside BruCrew Life

Nutella No Bake Cookies

These easy Nutella No Bake Cookies are a fun and nostalgic treat to make in no time at all. Perfect after school or midnight snack.

It has been way too long since I have enjoyed a no bake cookie around here. In fact, I really can't remember the last time I had one. I actually think these no bake cookies that I shared 5 years ago was the last time I made and ate them.

5 years ago! That's bonkers. One, because when I looked back, I realized how tiny my kids were that day, and two, because no-bake cookies are awesome. How could I have gone so long without having them in my life?

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Zebra Brownies - Little Debbie Copycat

Adding a white chocolate glaze and chocolate drizzles makes this homemade Zebra Brownies recipe a fun treat for lunch boxes or after school snacks.

Zebra Brownies - homemade fudgy brownies topped with white chocolate and chocolate drizzles. Awesome dessert recipe!

So, I just can't make plain brownies anymore. Baking all the time has kind of made me into a dessert freak, I think. Add lots of candies and chocolates to all the baking is my motto!

My son has learned that if he wants a brownie with absolutely nothing adding into it or on top of it, he has to take matters into his own hands. Of course, I was more than willing to teach him how to make a box of brownies when he needs that plain boring brownie goodness in his life.

A few weeks ago I was at the grocery store and I saw the new Little Debbie Zebra Brownies on the shelf with all the other snack cakes! My kids love zebra cakes and banana twins, so I just knew they would love the brownies too.

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Pineapple Peach Salsa

This spicy and fresh Pineapple Peach Salsa is the perfect addition to salads, tacos, or grilled chicken.

I know it is only the middle of May, but summer weather is in full force in our part of the country. Oh, wait. Everyone says this is not even close to what it will be like in the middle of July. I guess 90 degrees is mild compared to what it will be later.

We lived in Indiana for 11 years, and it was always chilly and rainy there at this time of the year, so this is summer-like weather to me. And boy, am I loving it!

I also love that it is just a hot heat. There is no muggy, humid fog to endure when you go outside. Each afternoon my chair and beach towel have been calling my name. It's a call I just have to answer. Nap time in the sun is my jam. [Read more...]

Cherry Chocolate Mousse Parfaits

These Cherry Chocolate Mousse Parfaits have layers of pie filling, cookies, and a creamy chocolate mousse cheesecake. Grab a spoon and get ready to dig in!

*I am partnering with Lucky Leaf this year as a blog ambassador bringing you delicious recipes using pie filling.

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My husband goes in spurts with his healthy eating. Most days he can say no to the desserts and treats that I pump out of our kitchen. I wish I had that kind of willpower.

A few months ago he decided that he was going to give up sugar and carbs for a while. Yes, right as I was in the middle of recipe testing for the cookbook, he stopped eating sweets. That limited my reliable taste testers by quite a bit. Thank goodness I have willing friends at church who are always ready to step up to the dessert eating challenge.

One night we stopped at the store to pick up a few ingredients I needed. Apparently the lack of sugar was finally starting to get to my hubby because while I was grabbing some cans of pie filling and cookies, he was looking over the chocolate baking bars. [Read more...]

Banana Praline French Toast Muffins

These Banana Praline French Toast Muffins? They are ridiculous, in the best kind of way.

I sure hope you aren't tired of seeing banana related breakfasts and desserts because this isn't the last recipe I have to share with you. I should seriously consider changing my blog name to Bonkers for Bananas because I can't stop buying the yellow fruit and using it in recipes.

Kind of has a fun ring to it, ya know? Although years of being the BruCrew would be too hard to give up, so the name stays the same.

Just don't be alarmed when I post a billion and one banana recipes. It could happen. It is a good thing that bananas are one of the cheaper fruits out there. I have a few ripe ones on the counter again, and a bag of frozen bananas just waiting for smoothies or more blueberry banana frozen yogurt. At least bananas never go to waste in our house.

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Cheesy Taco Taquitos

These Cheesy Taco Taquitos are full of taco meat, cheese, and tomatoes. They make a quick and easy 30 minute dinner for those busy nights.

The one thing that I can count on our family to eat are tacos. Tacos and pizza are the two top things we eat almost weekly. And sometimes we even eat them as one thing...go taco pizza!!!

Last week we had extra taco meat that I had thrown into the freezer for a later meal. We always make a big batch of taco meat, so that we can do extra meals with it throughout the week. Nachos and salad are the two big ones that we will enjoy after a taco night. And of course, a batch of Spicy Guacamole is a must when we do all things taco related.

When I was in the freezer getting out some frozen bananas yesterday for my Skinny Raspberry Mint Smoothie, I saw the taco meat and decided something fun and different was needed for our taco Tuesday night dinner. [Read more...]

BruCrew Top Ten

Can anyone else believe that April is already here and gone? This year is flying by at record speed. At this pace, Christmas will be here before we know it. I know, I know...bite my tongue!

Our kids keep reminding me that they only have about 20 school days left before summer vacation. Yikes! Time to make a summer plan, so they don't try to be on gaming units and TVs all day long!

It's been a while since I have done a top ten post, and I'm thinking about bringing it out of retirement once a month to share some of the fun things we have been up to, and some fun finds from the wide world web. If you follow me on Instagram, you probably already saw a few of these.

1. One of the biggest and hardest things I have ever done was to write this cookbook, but this past month, I submitted the final draft to my editor. So many hours were spent in the kitchen and on the computer putting it together. Once it actually comes out and I see all that hard work in print, it will all be worth it. [Read more...]

Toffee Apple Bread

Slices of this Toffee Apple Bread and a cup of hot coffee are the perfect way to enjoy some quiet time in the morning or afternoon.

*I am partnering with Crunch Pak apples as a brand ambassador bringing you delicious apple recipes.

Toffee Apple Bread - shredded apples, toffee bits, and a brown sugar frosting makes this sweet bread recipe a keeper!

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Something has definitely changed in our household lately. Our kids are ignoring the cookies and treats that I make each day, and my husband has been eating more baked goods than normal.

You guys, it's crazy weird around here. Not that I'm complaining about our kids not eating sweets...because they are still pillaging the pantry for snack cakes and candy bars. They are just over baked goods, I guess.

The snacking rule after school is a fruit or veggie. They look for every loophole they can use to get around that one. I keep bags of apples and carrots on hand for those munchie moments. These fluffernutter apple nachos are even something I will approve in the afternoon. As long as I can visibly see the fruit or veggie, it's fair game!

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Road Trip to Magnolia Market

A few weeks ago, my daughter and I took a road trip to Magnolia Market in Waco, Texas. Actually, it's been more like a month ago. Wow, time sure flies when you are having fun...or when you are busy, huh?

All you Fixer Upper fans know this place well, right? I have watched a few episodes of the show, and I am a big fan of all of Chip and Joanna's work.

So, when my sister and sister-in-law said they were taking a trip out to the market before my sister moved, we decided it was worth the drive to go with them. Man, I just realized that we never took a group photo of all of us there!

Of course, it was over spring break, and I think everyone else had the same idea for some shopping fun. The place was crazy busy! I'm not sure how many buses we saw unloading at the gates as we walked up and waited in line.

The line to get in was insane! We stood in line for about 2 hours just to get to the front door. At least it was a gorgeous day with lots of sunshine and plenty of fun things to look at, and everyone there was so friendly and nice!

How cool are those old silos and the rusted Magnolia sign? I love the look of the rust and the blue skies behind it!

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Letting the "Son-Shine" In

How often are you letting the "Son-Shine" in your life?

Do you ever have those days?

The days where things just do not seem to be going right? Maybe a cake flopped? Or overflowed in the oven? A co-worker said or did something that made you angry. Your spouse didn't pick up the slack around the house. You didn't get something done by your deadline. Someone else got a better deal than you did. That list could keep going on and on with all the things that could happen.

I have to be honest...I have those days in my life too!

It's easy to let the things in this life get you down. We can very easily fall into that bad habit of comparing our life to someone else's "perfect" life and wishing we could be more like them or have what they have. [Read more...]

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