Blog - Inside BruCrew Life

Cherry Lemonade

Beat the summer heat with our refreshing cherry lemonade! Made from freshly squeezed lemons and juicy cherries, this sweet and tart drink will keep you cool. Whether you're lounging by the pool or enjoying a picnic with friends, this drink is a must-have for all your summer activities.

A clear glass with cherry drink and lemon slice.

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Why Make Homemade Lemonade

During the hot summer months we tend to keep extra drinks in our refrigerator. There is nothing better than a tall glass of orange punch or a limeade slushie to cool you off after being outside. Or for the holidays, this sparkling cranberry punch is a great addition to a great meal.

Adding fruit is a fun and delicious way to add some natural flavor and a pop of color to these drinks. While cherries were still in season, I made a simple cherry syrup and added it to homemade lemonade.

This cherry lemonade is so cool and refreshing. It's the perfect drink to serve when it's hot outside. Not only does it taste amazing, but it's made with natural ingredients.

Simple ingredients. All you need are lemons, cherries, sugar, and water to make a pitcher of fresh homemade lemonade. Unlike store bought drinks there are no preservatives, colors, or flavors in this easy drink.
Refreshing taste. The combination of tart lemons with the natural sweetness of cherries creates a flavor that is refreshing. It is quite delightful and thirst-quenching during hot summer months.
Bright red color. The beautiful, vibrant red color comes from making cherry juice out of fresh cherries.
Perfect for summer. With its unique taste and refreshing flavor, our cherry lemonade is great for sunny days or at family picnics or barbecues.

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4th of July Desserts

Celebrate America this year with the best spread of 4th of July desserts. Whether you’re hosting a barbecue or just hanging out with friends, these red, white, and blue recipes will make the holiday even sweeter! From creamy cheesecake to tasty cookies, we have a variety of easy treats that are sure to please everyone.

8 pictures of red white and blue desserts collaged together with a text box.

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Why Make Dessert For July 4th

The 4th of July is a special day in the United States when we celebrate our country's independence. We love gathering with friends and family for picnics, barbecues, and outdoor parties. Food is one of the things that makes these get togethers so memorable.

As much as I love eating burgers and potato salad, I'm there for the desserts (and the fireworks). These 4th of July celebrations are when I can get creative and make fun patriotic desserts.

Firecracker cupcakes, red white and blue cheesecake, and 4th of July rice krispie treats have become favorites that everyone expects me to bring.

Tips for Fourth of July Desserts

To inspire you to make fun treats this year, we have gathered 20 of our favorite patriotic treats. You will be the star of the party when you show up with any of these sweet 4th of July dessert recipes.

Keep Them Colorful - Red, white, and blue desserts are the perfect colors for your patriotic table. Nothing says the 4th like star sprinkles, red white & blue M&M's, or mixed berries in the shape of a flag!
Make It Ahead of Time - We all know your plate is full on the 4th of July (pun intended), so you don't want to be spending time in the kitchen. These easy desserts can be made in advance, so you can enjoy all the fun.
Have Fun and Be Creative - Now is the time for over the top desserts. Cupcakes that look like fire crackers or dessert pizzas will wow the crowd almost as much as the firework displays!

Grab your sprinkles, candies, and fresh berries and have some fun making a few of these red, white, and blue desserts.

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S'mores Brownie Cupcakes

These s'mores brownie cupcakes are the ultimate summer dessert! With a graham cracker crust and toasted marshmallow, they are an amazing treat. The best part? You don't even need a campfire to enjoy this tasty treat.

Chocolate brownie cupcakes topped with a toasted marshmallow and chocolate bar.

*This s'mores cupcake post was first published in June 2011. The pictures were updated in August 2019, and it was republished in June 2023.

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One of my favorite summer desserts is the classic s'mores. There's something truly amazing about a toasted marshmallow, gooey chocolate, and graham crackers.

I am always looking for fun ways to enjoy these gooey s'mores without sitting around a campfire. These s'mores blondies, this s'mores poke cake, and this s'mores fudge are just a few of my favorite creations.

Summer just isn't complete without a s'mores dessert. So, I added a graham cracker crust and a toasted marshmallow to brownie cupcakes, transforming them into a s'mores masterpiece.

Why This S'mores Brownie Recipe Works

There is no reason to sit around a hot campfire this summer to get your s'mores fix. Bring the outside to your kitchen with these gooey s'mores cupcakes.

Classic S'mores Flavor. Graham cracker crust, toasted marshmallow, and chocolate candy bars are all packed into these cupcakes.
No Campfire Needed. You can make this entire recipe in the comfort of your kitchen. Stay cool and relaxed while the s'mores magic happens inside the oven.
Perfect Summer Dessert. Nothing says summer like s'mores. You will get smiles from everyone when you show up at picnics and barbecues with these chocolate marshmallow treats.

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Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies

Our Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies are loaded with a mix of dark and white chocolate chips. Plus, the cake mix adds a vibrant red color! These soft and delicious red velvet cookies are the perfect dessert to share with family and friends.

A pile of red velvet cookies with chocolate chips on a plate.

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Have you tried cake mix cookies yet? We make these cookies and cream cookies all the time because they are our daughter's favorite. And these funfetti cake mix cookies always please a crowd!

A few months ago I changed it up and made chocolate mint cookies. Whoa! Using a chocolate cake mix cookie reminded me of fried Oreos. Since July 4th is coming soon, I couldn't wait to make a red cookie using a red velvet cake mix.

Why Make Red Velvet Cake Cookies

I love how quick and easy cookies from a red cake mix are to make. You could bake them right away, but I like to let the dough chill in my refrigerator for about 60 minutes. It helps the dough from spreading out too thin.

Easy to Make. All you need are a few simple ingredients and a mixer.
Fun to Customize. You can add just about any candy or cookie to make them different every single time.
Soft and Chewy. The finished cookies stay soft for days!
Perfect for the Holidays. The bright red color makes these a fun treat to make for Valentine's, 4th of July, and Christmas.

My favorite way to eat these red velvet cookies is fresh out of the oven. The center is still so gooey and soft and just perfect. Plus, the chocolate is melty and delicious.

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Cherry Pie Filling

Our easy homemade cherry pie filling recipe is made with just 5 simple ingredients and comes together in minutes. You can even make it ahead of time and use it in all your favorite recipes that call for cherry pie filling.

Two white bowls filled with cherry filling.

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I love finding fresh cherries on sale at the grocery store. The problem is that I buy too many bags at a time, and my family never eats them fast enough.

So a few years ago I decided to use them up in a homemade cherry pie filling.

We love using it on top of vanilla cheesecake, in cherry crisp, and of course in the best cherry pie!

Why Make This Cherry Pie Filling Recipe

Our cherry pie filling is easy to make on the stovetop in minutes. It turns out sweet and delicious every single time! One bite and you will never want to buy canned pie filling again.

Plus, there are so many benefits to make homemade pie filling. Not to mention it tastes so much better than the stuff in a can.

Uses fresh fruit. Fruit that is in season is generally cheaper and tastes better.
Control over ingredients. This way you know exactly what you are eating. You can skip the artificial flavors, colors, or additives when making homemade.
Easy to adjust the sweetness. You can add more or less sugar according to the sweetness of the cherries and your taste preference.
Can add other flavors. Vanilla extract, almond extract, and cinnamon are natural ingredients that add a warmth and flavor you will love.

Of course, my favorite way to eat this homemade cherry filling is with a big spoon. Trust me...once you taste our cherry pie filling recipe, you will never buy canned fruit fillings again.

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Easy Cherry Pie

Fall in love with our easy cherry pie recipe! With a flaky golden crust and sweet homemade filling, this cherry pie is sure to become your family's new favorite dessert. It's perfect for summer gatherings or holidays.

A slice of pie with vanilla ice cream on a white plate.

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Cherry season seems to come and go way too quickly each summer. One day, there are plenty of bags of cherries at the store, and the following week, they are gone.

One of my favorite things to make with fresh cherries is homemade cherry pie filling. It's delicious spooned over cheesecake or baked into an easy cherry pie.

Why Make This Cherry Pie

Sure, you could buy a pie from the store or use canned pie filling to make this dessert. But just trust me, dark sweet cherries make our cherry pie taste absolutely incredible!

Sweet Pie Filling. Cook fresh cherries with sugar and cornstarch creates a thick and delicious filling that can be baked in a pie crust.
Easy to Make. Whether you are a beginning baker or a pro, this fruit pie comes together in minutes. Follow our step by step instructions for best results.
Perfect Summer Dessert. Cherries are a seasonal fruit that are usually only available in summer months. The limited availability of fresh cherries makes cherry pie a favorite dessert for picnics and barbecues.

Don't forget to add a big scoop of vanilla ice cream or a swirl of homemade whipped cream. There is nothing better than warm pie with ice cream melting into it!

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Lattice Pie Crust

Follow our easy tutorial to learn how to make a lattice pie crust. It's sure to wow guests at your next dinner party. This lattice pattern is surprisingly easy to do and will take your desserts to a whole new level.

A pie pan topped with a decorative lattice crust.

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Why Make a Lattice Pie

Lattice crusts are one of my favorite ways to make a pie look extra special. Not only does it make desserts look fancy, but it's the secret to making everyone think you're a pro baker.

Creating this beautiful criss cross pattern may seem hard and confusing, but I've got great news! You can do it, no matter what your baking skills are.

Our simple step-by-step instructions are easy to follow and guaranteed to make your dessert the talk of the table.

This type of lattice pie crust is often used on apple pie and cherry pie. Although, it can bring a stunning look to any kind of pie or filling.

Another benefit to adding this type of crust is that it allows steam to escape through the lattice crust vents. This way the filling bakes evenly, and the crust doesn't get soggy.

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Lemon Fluff

Get ready for a taste of summer with our Lemon Fluff! This easy-to-make, fluff salad is bursting with lemon flavor and fresh strawberries. It's the perfect side dish to bring to summer picnics and parties.

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Why You Will Love Lemon Fluff Salad

Fluff desserts and ambrosia fruit salad are the perfect no bake desserts for summer. They are easy to make and will always get two thumbs up at summer picnics.

One our favorite dessert salads is banana split fluff. I love how fresh fruit adds a fun burst of flavor and freshness to fluff desserts. We had an extra box of strawberries in the fridge, so I decided to add them to a lemon fluff.

The combination of cream cheese and lemon pie filling gives this "salad" a sweet cheesecake like texture. You are going to love how soft and fluffy it is.

Easy to make. This simple recipe comes together in 10 minutes with just 4 ingredients.
Light and refreshing. The sweet lemon flavor with juicy strawberries makes this a delightful combination to eat on hot summer days.
Pretty yellow color. The light yellow hue with pops of red makes the dish stand out on the dinner table.
Great for any event. It is a delicious side dish or no bake dessert to bring to summer picnics and barbecues.

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Veggie Pasta Salad

The fresh veggies and oil & vinegar dressing in this Veggie Pasta Salad make it a delicious side dish for any dinner. It is an easy pasta salad recipe to bring to any summer picnic or barbecue.

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Why Make This Egg Noodle Pasta Salad

Pasta salad is one of our favorite things to make for dinner. During the summer months veggie pasta salad and pizza pasta salad are on repeat every week.

I have been making this egg noodle salad for years. It's a recipe that a family friend used to make for church potlucks, and I fell in love after one bite. This salad is great because it can be served as a main or side dish at any get together.

Loaded with Veggies - The combination of colorful and juicy vegetables adds a delicious flavor and crunch.
Easy to Customize - You have the freedom to customize it to your preference. Try out different textures, like crunchy vegetables or a creamy dressing. Experiment and make it your own!
Versatile Dinner - Enjoy it as a side dish, light lunch, or main course. Add grilled chicken or baked parmesan chicken tenders for a more substantial meal.
Great for Leftovers - Pasta salad often tastes even better the next day as the flavors blend together. Make a large batch and enjoy it as a quick meal all week.

Everyone needs a go-to recipe for picnics and barbecues, and this vegetable pasta salad doesn't disappoint. It is easy to make, full of veggies, and tastes so good.

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Cherry Crisp Recipe

Who doesn't love a Cherry Crisp made with a warm, buttery oat topping? Homemade cherry pie filling takes this dessert recipe to the next level. Top it off with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream for the ultimate summer dessert.

Bowls of cherry oat crumble on a blue striped towel.

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Hey, cherry lovers! You're gonna want to try this quick and easy cherry crisp dessert! It's the perfect summer treat made with fresh fruit and served with a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream. Trust me, it's amazing!

A few weeks ago we had an extra bag of fresh cherries in our fridge, so I used them to make this easy cherry crisp. I started by making this cherry pie filling recipe and then added the topping from this summer peach crisp.

Why You Will Love Cherry Crisp

Fruit crisp is so much easier to make than pie. No need to make or roll out a pie crust here. Just make a sweet homemade pie filling and sprinkle it with an oat crumble topping.

It's a delicious dessert made without much work. Perfect for impressing friends and family or simply indulging yourself after a long hard day.

Easy to Make - You don't need any fancy techniques or equipment. Just mix the ingredients and pop it in the oven.
Seasonal Fruit - Cherries are in season during the summer, so this a great recipe to make using fresh produce.
Awesome Taste - The warm, sweet filling and crunchy, buttery topping creates an irresistible dessert.
Versatile Dessert - Change up the flavor by using your favorite pie filling.

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