Blog - Inside BruCrew Life

Apple Butter Recipe

This Apple Butter Recipe is so delicious that you'll want to enjoy it all year. Our homemade apple butter is made with simple ingredients. Plus, your home will be filled with the delightful smell of fresh apples as it cooks on the stove.

A jar filled with apple butter and tied with a ribbon.

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Do you have certain foods that remind you of your childhood? For me, apple butter reminds me of growing up in Pennsylvania because we always had a jar in our fridge.

The problem with apple butter is that it can be hard to find because not many stores carry it. I visited four stores before I found a jar of spread for apple butter bread and apple butter cinnamon rolls. The one brand I found was light, runny, and didn't taste good.

I should have known making homemade apple butter is always the way to go! You can easily make it on your stovetop or in a crock pot.

Why You Will Love This Apple Spread

Making apple butter from scratch is incredibly easy! And there are countless delicious ways to enjoy it.

You don't need any fancy equipment for this traditional apple butter recipe.
You have total control over how thick the fall spread is.
Your home will smell like a cozy autumn orchard while it cooks!
The sweet preserves can also be used as a topping, spread, or filling.

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Cinnamon Banana Bread

Our Cinnamon Banana Bread has a layer of cinnamon sugar that adds a satisfying crunch. This recipe transforms sad, over-ripe bananas into the most delicious and moist banana bread you have ever had.

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Banana bread is one of my favorite things to bake when we have extra ripe bananas on the counter. I have made several variations to our classic banana bread recipe over the past few years.

Most of the time, I make chocolate chip banana bread because our kids love it. But occasionally, I like to have fun with my banana bread recipe by adding various mix-ins to switch things up.

My favorites are Reese's banana bread, cherry banana bread, and maple banana bread. However, I chose a simple banana bread topped with cinnamon sugar this time.

Why You Will Love This Cinnamon Banana Bread Recipe

Get ready to fall in love with this incredible cinnamon banana bread! This quick bread will quickly become your family's all-time favorite because of the flavor.

The perfect blend of spices and ripe bananas results in a sweet treat with a crunchy cinnamon sugar topping. Plus, the best part is how easy it is to make!

It's so moist! The butter and sour cream make this quick bread so soft and tender.
The bread has a delicious crunch. Everyone loves the incredible crunch that a touch of cinnamon and sugar adds to the top and sides!
This is the best way to use up ripe bananas. The riper they get on your counter, the better the bread.

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Apple Nachos

Our loaded Apple Nachos are the perfect snack for any time! These slices are generously loaded with peanut butter, marshmallows, caramel, and other delicious toppings. The combination of sweet and crunchy will have everyone asking for more.

Two pans filled with apples and loaded with toppings.

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Have you heard about these delicious apple slices? My youngest sister couldn't stop raving about them! If you love traditional caramel apples, you will enjoy this easy variation.

I had extra apples after making apple butter, so I made a plate of dessert nachos for our kids. The delicious snack was a hit because it was gobbled up in minutes!

What are Apple Nachos?

This delicious fruit dessert puts a sweet spin on regular nachos by using apple "chips" and gooey toppings.

Why Make This Easy Apple Nachos Recipe

If you're looking for a tasty fall treat, you can never go wrong with apple nachos. Kids of all ages will enjoy adding their favorite toppings to their fruit plates.

Easy to Make. Quick and simple to prepare, they're an ideal snack or dessert for parties, movie nights, or family gatherings.
Colorful Treat. The vibrant toppings on the apple slices will catch your eye and make you want to dig in!
Kid-Friendly. This snack is easy to eat with your fingers and can be personalized with your child's favorite toppings.

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Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Our Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies are soft, fluffy, and full of pumpkin spice flavor. This delicious homemade pumpkin cookie recipe is easy to make in minutes with simple ingredients. If you're a fan of pumpkin and chocolate, then these cookies are the perfect treat for the fall season.

Looking for more pumpkin recipes? Add this pumpkin bundt cake and this copycat pumpkin cream cold brew to your fall plans.

A pile of pumpkin cookies on a white plate.

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Pumpkin and chocolate is one of my favorite combos. When it gets cooler, I bake chocolate chip pumpkin bread and make a sugar-free pumpkin spice latte to celebrate.

Of course, a few batches of these easy pumpkin cookies always happen, too. They are my favorite chocolate chip cookies to make during pumpkin season. Everyone always asks for the recipe when we bring them to fall events.

I always have pumpkin and chocolate chips in our pantry because I love these cookies. You never know when the urge for pumpkin cookies with chocolate will hit.

Why These are the Best Pumpkin Cookies

The best thing about these pumpkin chocolate chip cookies is that they are easy to make in minutes. Trust me, these cookies will become your new favorite fall treat because they melt in your mouth.

No chilling or rolling is required. Mix everything, scoop the cookie dough onto a pan, and bake.
They have a warm, rich flavor. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin puree make these pumpkin treats taste like fall.
The cookies stay soft and delicious for days! Enjoy them all week if you keep them in a loosely sealed container.

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Apple French Toast Casserole

Spice up your breakfast with this amazing Apple French Toast Casserole! With tender-cooked apples, crispy bacon, and a sweet maple drizzle, it's the perfect way to celebrate the arrival of fall.

A square of french toast casserole on a white plate.

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As the weather is cooling off, it's time to consider fall baking. I love going to the orchard to get fresh apples for caramel apple pie and apple spice cake. It's a fun activity I look forward to each fall. And, of course, we can't leave without a few apple cider donuts.

Apples are so fun to bake with this time of year. Last year, I made a strawberry French toast casserole that my family fell in love with. Adding apples, bacon, and a maple glaze was a great way to give that delicious breakfast recipe a fall makeover.

Why You Will Love This Baked French Toast

Apple French toast casserole is a popular dish that combines the comforting flavors of French toast with the sweetness of apples. Adding a maple glaze and crunchy bacon gives this easy breakfast casserole a sweet and salty flavor that is irresistible.

Great flavor combination. Combining cinnamon-spiced apples with custardy, slightly crispy bread creates a delicious French toast casserole. The sweet apples and the salty bacon perfectly complement the richness of the cinnamon rolls.
Perfect for breakfast or brunch. This breakfast bake is a great choice for weekend breakfasts, brunch, or the holidays. Sweet and savory ingredients make this a versatile dish that can fit into a brunch menu with other items.
Family friendly. This dish is a hit with everyone because of its familiar flavors, textures, and the delightful sweetness of cinnamon rolls. It's a happy fall option that the whole family can enjoy.
Versatile. While the original recipe calls for apples, this casserole can be made with other fruits, such as berries, peaches, or pears. Feel free to add your own creative touch based on personal tastes or the availability of ingredients.

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Broccoli Tortellini Pasta Salad

Add this Tortellini Pasta Salad to your summer picnic plans. The creamy homemade dressing, crunchy bacon, and broccoli make this easy picnic salad a hit with everyone.

Two white bowls filled with a creamy pasta salad with veggies.

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During the summer, we eat picnic salads with grilled chicken or burgers for dinner. Our kids always request bacon ranch pasta salad or veggie pasta salad.

Last week, I changed up this broccoli salad by adding some tortellini pasta and smoked sausage. It was a delicious way to turn the side dish into a full meal.

Why This Cold Tortellini Salad Works

Your friends and family will love this delicious classic pasta salad recipe twist. It's creamy, cheesy, and made with cheesy tortellini, fresh broccoli, and crunchy bacon. The cold side dish is great for any summer activity!

Easy to Prepare. The pasta can be cooked and cooled beforehand, then mixed with other ingredients for a convenient and easy dinner.
Versatile. Customize your salad with various types of tortellini, veggies, and dressings like Italian vinaigrette, pesto, or balsamic dressing.
Summer-friendly. The dish is great for outdoor picnics and potlucks because of its fresh ingredients and chilled temperature.
Crowd-pleasing. The combination of bacon, creamy dressing, and pasta makes this salad popular with kids and adults.

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31 Picnic Salads

Looking for Picnic Salads for your next backyard party? Check out our collection of 31 delicious recipes that are perfect for summer celebrations. Whether you prefer fruity salads or the classic potato salad, we've got you covered. These ideas will definitely be a hit at your potluck.

A collage of salad pictures with a white text box.

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When it comes to potlucks and BBQs, my favorite thing is choosing what to eat. I absolutely love picnic salads. Whether they're creamy, crunchy, or sweet, I can never pick just one. Just pile it all onto my plate because tasting everything is absolutely necessary!

What are Picnic Salads

Picnic salads are a variety of salads that are enjoyed outdoors during summer picnics, barbecues, or other gatherings. They often combine vegetables, fruits, proteins, and grains, creating a balanced and flavorful dish.

These salads are convenient for travel, easy to serve, and can be doubled or tripled for a crowd. Whether heading to the park or the beach or having a backyard BBQ, a delicious cold salad is a great addition to the activity.

Different Kinds of Picnic Salads

There are various styles of picnic salads available to cater to everyone's taste. Some have fresh veggies, while others have cold fruit. You could have a salad with pasta or potatoes. Top them with a creamy dressing or season them with olive oil. As you can see, the options for easy picnic salad ideas are endless.

Pasta and Macaroni Salad - These use pasta as the primary ingredient. Add other toppings, such as cheese, vegetables, and some creamy or vinegar dressings for additional flavor.
Potato Salad - Made with boiled potatoes, this salad is mixed with mayonnaise or a vinaigrette, along with ingredients like chopped celery, onions, hard-boiled eggs, and herbs.
Tuna or Chicken Salad - These salads incorporate canned tuna or cooked chicken mixed with mayonnaise or yogurt, vegetables, and sometimes fruits or nuts.
Vegetable Salad - Different vegetables make great salads. Broccoli salad, cucumber salad, or caprese salad are popular choices.
Fluff Salad - These delicious salads are more like a dessert. They have a cream cheese or whipped cream base with fruit, cookies, or chocolate.
Fruit Salad - A refreshing option, fruit salads feature a mix of fresh fruits like berries, melons, citrus, and more in citrus-based syrup or yogurt.

When preparing salads for picnics, it's important to consider food safety. Use fresh ingredients, keep perishable items cold, and try to serve them within a reasonable time frame so they are safe to eat.

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Ice Cream Tacos

Ice Cream Tacos are the perfect way to up your dessert game! Delicious and irresistible, these tortillas are filled with ice cream and topped with melted chocolate and nuts or sprinkles. You won’t find a more delicious and fun treat anywhere else!

Cinnamon sugar tortillas filled with ice cream on a white tray.

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Taco Tuesday is hands down the best day of the week. It's the day tacos steal the spotlight and turn an ordinary weeknight into a fiesta.

But did you know that tacos aren't just for dinner? Dessert tacos are a cool food trend that combines the best of both worlds. Rainbow sprinkles and vanilla ice cream stuffed in savory tortillas with cinnamon sugar will elevate your taco night.

Why You Will Love Tacos and Ice Cream

Ice cream tacos are a fun and delicious way to enjoy ice cream. Get creative and add choose toppings that fit your style and taste buds!

No special equipment is needed. You can bake the taco shells on the bottom of a muffin tin.
Saves money. Specialty ice cream treats can be pretty pricey because they range from $4-5 apiece. You can make ten homemade tacos for around $15, making them $1.50 each.
Hand-held snack. Each taco is individually wrapped, so it's easy to take on the go or share with friends for a sweet treat!
Sweet nostalgic treat! One bite of the homemade dessert taco will bring back memories of running after the ice cream truck as a child.

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Campbell's Green Bean Casserole

The classic Campbell's Green Bean Casserole recipe is a beloved holiday side dish with creamy and crunchy textures. It can be prepared ahead of time and baked in the oven when ready.

A spoon lifting green beans and french fried onions out of a dish.

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When you think about side dishes for a holiday meal, Campbell's green bean casserole is a tried and true favorite. This classic recipe and sweet potatoes, corn pudding, and pumpkin pie are always on our holiday table.

There is something about this easy recipe with green beans, creamy sauce, and crispy onions that adds a comforting touch to dinners.

We have made this side dish for every holiday for as long as I can remember. It's one that both our families grew up eating, and we continued that tradition after getting married.

Why You Will Love Green Bean Bake

Thanksgiving dinner isn't complete without a pan of green bean casserole! Am I right? This is one of our favorite side dishes for many reasons.

Easy to Make - The recipe is simple, inexpensive, and requires little prep time. You can make it with six ingredients, which is excellent when short on time or money.
Holiday Tradition - It's a classic dish, especially for Thanksgiving. People look forward to having it every year for family get-togethers and holidays.
Eat It Anytime - Even though it's famous for holidays, you can enjoy it any day as a side dish with different meals.
Add a Creative Touch - You can change the recipe by adding cheese, bacon, or different flavors to make it the perfect side dish.

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Salted Caramel Mocha

Enjoy a Salted Caramel Mocha at home with this Starbucks copycat recipe. It's made with coffee and milk, topped with whipped cream, and finished with a drizzle of caramel sauce. Trust me, you'll want to make this delicious drink all year round.

A clear mug with a latte topped with whipped cream in it.

This post was first published in October 2013. The photos were updated in August 2021, and it was republished in August 2023.

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A salted caramel latte and pumpkin cream cold brew are my two favorite fall drinks. I can't get enough of either of them!

Unfortunately, the salted caramel mocha was discontinued in 2021. It makes me sad that the popular seasonal drink and these double chocolate brownies are no longer on the Starbucks menu.

I am going to show you just how easy it is to make one at home. In just minutes, you'll be sipping on a delicious latte and thinking about how much money you've saved. You can even make my version of their marble loaf to complete the experience!

Why You Will Love This Caramel Latte

Mixing chocolate, caramel, hot coffee, and steamed milk creates a delicious homemade version even better than at a coffee shop.

Saves money. Buying drinks at coffee shops can be expensive over time. Making homemade allows you to enjoy the same flavors without the high price tag.
Convenient and easy. Making the drink at home eliminates the need to travel to a coffee shop and wait in line. It's a great option, especially for those who want to enjoy their favorite Starbucks drink without having to leave the house.
Available all year. Enjoy seasonal drinks year-round by making your favorite copycat recipes at home.

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