Blog - Inside BruCrew Life

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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Chicken Pasta Bake

Make dinner time easy and delicious with this Chicken Pasta Bake! Packed with chicken and veggies, this cheesy dish is ready to enjoy in less than 45 minutes. Try out this cozy family favorite today!

A black plate with a serving of baked pasta on it.

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Our family is a huge fan of pasta dinners. While our kids were in school, I found those meals to be the perfect ones to make during the week.

Pasta meals are generally inexpensive, easy to make, and delicious. Meals like chicken ranch pasta bake, buffalo chicken pasta, and ham and pasta casserole are a few of our favorites.

If you are looking for a gluten free option, try this cheesy chicken and rice casserole instead. Great flavors without the noodles.

Why You Will Love this Cheesy Pasta Bake

We loaded this cheesy casserole with plenty of veggies and chicken. You are going to love how easy it is to assemble and how delicious it is. This comfort food always gets two thumbs up from everyone at our table.

Easy Preparation - Chicken pasta bake is the perfect meal for busy weeknights. It's easy to make and can be on the table in 45 minutes.
Family Friendly Meal - Kids and adults alike love it. It's a comforting and filling dish that brings everyone together around the dinner table.
Comfort Food Classic - There's nothing quite like a gooey cheese casserole. It's warm and hearty and will give you that cozy feeling.
Packed with Flavor - The combination of chicken, pasta, and a rich creamy cheese sauce creates a satisfying taste.
Great Leftovers - You can have it for lunch or dinner the next day, saving you time and effort in the kitchen.

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M&M Brownies

Just like your favorite candies, these M&M Brownies will "melt in your mouth." This fudgy brownie recipe loaded with candy is perfect for weeknight desserts, birthday parties, or lunchbox treats.

A stack of 6 brownies with colorful candies inside and on top.

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Brownies are one of those desserts that just about everyone loves. Whether you make brownies from a box or make homemade brownies, they satisfy that chocolate craving.

There are so many ways to change up a brownie. We love adding a chocolate topping to these zebra brownies and these cosmic brownies. Or you can load them with lots of toppings like caramel marshmallow brownies, Oreo brownies, and our favorite fudgy M&M brownies.

Why You Will Love Brownies with M&M's

Rich and fudgy. This homemade brownie recipe is made with cocoa powder and brown sugar, making them rich and delicious.
Loaded with candy. Adding mini chocolate candies gives the brownies a fun crunch and a bigger chocolate flavor. For a fun twist, use your favorite version of M&M's.
Easy to make. You can make a pan of brownies using one bowl and simple ingredients you probably have in your kitchen right now.
Great party dessert. They are great for parties, picnics, or a quiet night at home. Everyone always asks for this recipe when we bring them with us.

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Lemon Cream Cheese Pie

This easy Lemon Cream Cheese Pie has layers of no bake cheesecake, lemon pudding, and fresh berries. The subtle lemon flavor and juicy berries makes this a refreshing dessert on a hot summer day.

A slice of lemon pie topped with berries on a white plate.

This post was first published in May 2014. It was updated and republished in June 2023.

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Over the years, I have learned to love lemon desserts. We make these lemon bars, this lemon poke cake, and these lemon meringue cupcakes quite often.

Lemon is such a classic summer flavor. There is nothing like a glass of frosted lemonade to cool you off from the summer heat. So why not enjoy that flavor in a creamy pie?

We had a few extra boxes of raspberries and blueberries in the fridge. So, I decided to use them as a red and blue topping on an easy lemon cream pie. It was an instant hit with everyone in our Bible study.

Why You'll Love Lemon Pudding Pie

Easy to make. The layers in this pie are easy to whip up. This means less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the sun.
Creamy and smooth. The combination of creamy cheesecake filling and smooth lemon pudding works so well together.
Light and cool. Lemon desserts often have a tangy flavor that is so refreshing on a hot summer day.
Perfect for any party. This lemon cream cheese pie will bring a light, summery vibe to all your picnics and parties. It's also a great dessert for 4th of July.

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Tortilla Pizza Roll Ups

Get the party started with a tray of Tortilla Pizza Roll Ups. Loaded with your favorite pizza toppings, these bite sized appetizers are easy to make and taste amazing.

Looking for more easy appetizers? Try these turkey pinwheels or blackberry brie bites.

Three pizza roll ups on a plate with a bowl of pizza sauce.

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We think finger foods are the best part of any party. That's why we created "snacks giving" - a few days a year where we go all out on appetizers.

From cheesy chicken sliders, buffalo chicken pinwheels, and parmesan chicken rolls to other delicious appetizers, our trays are loaded with a variety of appetizers. And of course, it's not a party without good company and fun games. So, we invite friends and family over for a fun evening of snacks, games, and conversation.

Whether you are celebrating a birthday, a big game, or an event, there is just something special about bringing people together with some fun food.

Why Pizza Roll Ups are the Perfect Snack

Our family enjoys a variety of pizza-inspired recipes. Pizza bites and tomato basil pizza dip always are on the top of the finger food list. But these pizza tortilla roll ups are making their way to the top for so many reasons.

Easy to Make - You can make a bunch of these rolls in about 10 minutes because there is no baking or cooking required.
Inexpensive - This appetizer is a cheap way to fill a tray and to feed a crowd.
Fun Topping Choices - Everyone has different things they love on pizza. These pizza roll ups can be made with all types of toppings to please everyone.
Great for Parties and Picnics - Whether you are headed to a summer picnic, hosting a game day party, or just want a simple appetizer, these rolls are the perfect choice.

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Healthy Buffalo Chicken Wraps

When it comes to flavor, this Healthy Buffalo Chicken Wrap recipe is out of this world. It has all the buffalo flavors you love but with less carbs and calories than the typical fried chicken wrap.

Two chicken wraps filled and stacked on top of each other.

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Everyone in our family loves anything and everything made with buffalo chicken.

Some of our favorites over the years are buffalo chicken chips, gooey buffalo sliders, cheesy buffalo tots, and our ultimate buffalo chicken pasta!

The problem with these dishes is that they can be loaded with calories. This healthy buffalo chicken wrap is the perfect solution to enjoy all the great flavors without the extra carbs and calories.

Why Make a Healthy Wrap

You don't have to sacrifice taste for health because this chicken wrap has all the buffalo flavors you crave, but with less carbs and calories. Say goodbye to boring healthy meals and hello to a dinner that's out of this world!

Quick and Easy - This meal is can be made in less than 20 minutes and is perfect for busy nights. It can be done in less than 10 minutes if you have chicken already cooked up!
Full of Flavor - If you love the buffalo chicken flavor then this will be your new favorite recipe!
Lower in Calories - This healthy wrap is lower in calories and fat than your typical buffalo sandwich. The chicken is cooked in a skillet with very little oil and no breading. The tortilla wrap is low in carbs making it perfect for keto or low carb diets.
Made to Order - Whether you prefer the traditional blue cheese or homemade ranch dressing. This chicken wrap can be made the way you like it.

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Peanut Butter Cookie Bars

Our Peanut Butter Cookie Bars are an easy treat! Soft and chewy, they're loaded with Reese's Pieces and baking chips for the ultimate sweet snack. Plus, they're simple to make - just mix, spread, and bake! It doesn't get any easier than that.

A stack of peanut butter bars with Reese's pieces on a white plate.

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What Make Peanut Butter Bars

We make these peanut butter cookies all the time. The sweet and salty flavor makes them a fan favorite. But some days I don't want to spend time scooping and baking multiple batches of cookies.

That's when I make a pan of peanut butter cookie bars instead. You are going to love how easy it is to mix the dough and bake it one pan. They are ready from start to finish in around 30 minutes.

These cookie bars have the best peanut butter flavor and are loaded with the Reese's Pieces and baking chips. The satisfying crunch and texture will have you coming back for more.

No chill time needed. You can bake the bars as soon as you make the dough.
Soft and crunchy. The crunchiness of the candy shell and the softness of the cookie is so irresistible.
Loaded with flavor. Plenty of peanut butter, candies, and baking chips means each square has lots of goodness.
Great last minute treat. The dough comes together in minutes, so you can have a pan ready in under 30 minutes.

If you love peanut butter and Reese's candies, you need to make a pan of these peanut butter bars right away!

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