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How to Ripen Bananas

By · PUBLISHED · UPDATED · 2 Comments

Wondering how to quickly ripen bananas so you can make that banana bread you’re craving? These four easy kitchen tips will help you get those bananas soft and sweet in no time.

A bunch of yellow bananas on a cutting board on a white board.
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Make Bananas Ripen

Bananas are one of the most popular fruits in the world for snacking on and baking with. Of course, the best bananas to bake with are those that are overripe.

It's frustrating when you want to bake a banana recipe, and the bananas at the store or on your counter are not ripe enough.

There have been many times when I wanted to make a loaf of sour cream banana bread or chocolate banana muffins. However, the bananas we had were not ready for baking.

Did you know that you can help your bananas ripen faster and taste better? You won't believe how simple it is!

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Oreo Brownies Recipe

By · PUBLISHED · UPDATED · 4 Comments

This Oreo Brownies recipe is made from scratch and stuffed with Oreo cookies in every bite. They are soft, chewy, and frosted with a sweet chocolate topping. The mini Oreos on top add that extra touch of flair that everyone loves.

Looking for more brownies?  Our M&M brownies are loaded with candy and these peanut butter truffle brownies are so good.

A stack of homemade chocolate brownies made with Oreo cookies on a black wire rack.
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Fresh homemade brownies hold a special spot in my heart. There is just something about these rich, dark chocolate chip brownies hot from the oven that gets me every single time.

Oreo lovers, get ready to take those brownies to a whole new level! I can't wait to share my new favorite brownie recipe with you. A hidden layer of Oreo cookies inside and a chocolate layer on top make them so amazing! For a combo of brownie and cookies try these brookies!

Why You Will Love These

  • Enjoy two desserts in one. Brownies with Oreos are the ultimate dessert! Think I am wrong? Try this Oreo mousse brownie and be convinced!
  • Easy to prepare and so delicious.
  • They will disappear every single time you make them.
  • Oreo stuffed brownies will satisfy every chocolate craving you have...and then some! 

Grab a glass of milk because these Oreo brownies are sure to become your new favorite dessert in no time at all!  They are so good that you will want to make them for every party or event.

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Nacho Chicken Ravioli

By · PUBLISHED · 26 Comments

This simple Chicken Ravioli has an amazing flavor and is made with just 5 ingredients. Cheese ravioli, chicken, and a spicy nacho cheese sauce makes this easy skillet dinner delicious and filling.

Looking for more easy chicken dinners? This cheesy chicken pasta and these chicken sliders are two of our favorites.

A white plate filled with chicken ravioli in a nacho cheese sauce with a pan of ravioli beside it.

Ravioli is one of my absolute favorite types of pasta.  I honestly love any pasta, but there is just something about the chewy cheese filled pasta that I adore.

I also love that there are so many different ways to transform a bag of frozen ravioli into a delicious comfort meal. Years ago I made this chicken ravioli with a spicy cheese sauce and veggies, and our family went nuts for it.

In fact, our oldest son would always request this chicken ravioli recipe when he was younger and still lived at home. Keeping ingredients in the pantry for easy kid friendly meals is always a good idea.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

  • Quick and easy to make in under 30 minutes with very little prep work.
  • Only 5 ingredients needed to make this delicious comfort food.
  • Semi-homemade because it calls for store-bought ravioli and jarred sauce.
  • Easy to customize by adding other proteins or veggies based on what your family loves.
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Top 10 BruCrew Recipes from 2021

By · PUBLISHED · Leave a Comment

Hello, friends. Can you believe that another year will be over in just a few short hours? Here are the Top 10 BruCrew Recipes from 2021. You are going to want to make each of these popular recipes over and over again.

A large collage of the top ten recipes from 2012 on Inside BruCrew Life with a text box overlay.

We love looking back at the previous year to see what new recipes get the most love from our readers. Thank you so much for reading our blog, making our recipes, and leaving comments and 5 star reviews. It brings us so much happiness and joy when a recipe is loved by you.

We also appreciate each and every comment and email that has been sent to us throughout the year.  Keep them coming because we appreciate the support...and constructive criticism. It just drives us to perfect our recipes even more!

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Merry Christmas 2021

By · PUBLISHED · 5 Comments

A black and white Merry Christmas card from Inside BruCrew Life.

We want to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and God's best as you head into the New Year! Our family is so very thankful for your support and love as you visit our site and make our recipes.

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White Chocolate Cranberry Cheesecake

By · PUBLISHED · 11 Comments

This sweet White Chocolate Cranberry Cheesecake is a fantastic holiday dessert. To give this Christmas cheesecake a festive look, add swirls of whipped cream, candied cranberries, and thyme sprigs.

A white plate with a slice of White Chocolate with swirls of cranberry sauce in it. Great cheesecake recipe to make for the holidays.
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Cranberry Cheesecake Recipe

We love making cheesecake for every event or occasion, so of course, we couldn't wait to make a cranberry cheesecake for Christmas with our own little twist.

This white chocolate cranberry cheesecake is an excellent combination of two classic desserts. The creamy, smooth New York-style cheesecake has a delicious, tangy swirl of cranberry sauce.

It is the perfect cheesecake recipe to make for the holidays.

Why You Will Love This Dessert

This white chocolate cranberry cheesecake is the perfect combination of creamy and tart. The homemade cranberry sauce swirls give it a beautiful presentation.

Make your family and friends happy with this delicious holiday cheesecake. They will love how pretty it looks with sugared cranberries on top.

Have a busy holiday schedule? This cheesecake is easy to make ahead of time, so you have one less thing to worry about. Plus, it looks beautiful on any table setting.

Can't get enough cranberry treats? Then you won't want to miss this apple cranberry cake or these orange cranberry scones!

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Reindeer Chow

By · PUBLISHED · 2 Comments

It isn't the holidays without making this Reindeer Chow recipe. Chocolate covered pretzels, red M&M's, and chocolate candies give this Christmas Chex mix a fun flair that will have you coming back for more. Great no bake treat to make for parties or gifts.

If you love easy holiday snack mixes, try our grinch popcorn or this chocolate peppermint popcorn.

A Christmas tin filled with brownie reindeer chow with chocolate covered pretzels and candies.

A batch of this reindeer snack mix is always one of the last holiday treats that we make before Christmas. Our kids always loved putting a bag of this out for the reindeer along with milk and cookies for Santa every Christmas eve.

Even though our kids are too old and cool to continue this tradition, we still make the reindeer chow and reminisce about when they were little and still believed.

This fun snack mix goes by so many different names in different parts of the country. Do you call it muddy buddies, puppy chow, or Chex mix?  Whatever you call it, just make sure you call it delicious.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

  • Easy to make with just a few ingredients.
  • Great no bake Christmas snack that younger kids can help make.
  • Our nut free version makes it perfect for anyone to enjoy.
  • Chocolate covered pretzels and chocolate candies give it a sweet and salty flavor.

In less than 10 minutes you can have a festive holiday treat to share with friends and family. It's also a great snack mix to bring to parties or to give as a homemade gift.

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Cranberry Fluff Salad

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Cranberry Fluff Salad is the perfect addition to your holiday table. It is a delicious and light dish that can be made in 5 minutes with just 5 ingredients. This creamy fruit salad will be the star of your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.

Love fluff desserts? You should try this orange fluff and this banana split fluff too.

A white bowl on a green towel filled with pink cranberry fluff salad and topped with pecans and fresh cranberries.

Fluff salads and ambrosia dessert are classic holiday side dishes. Forget the main dish because I just want to fill my plate with sides and fluff dessert. I'm totally on board with eating dessert and calling it "dinner".

For some reason I'm all about cranberry desserts this year, so I couldn't wait to add my homemade cranberry sauce to a sweet fluff dessert. I have even added this magic berry into a sparkling cranberry punch.

The combination of tangy cranberry sauce and pineapple is sweetened and toned down with mini marshmallows and whipped cream. Nuts are a great way to add a delicious crunch to the cranberry fluff salad.

Why You Will Love This Salad

  •  This fluff recipe comes together in minutes with just 5 ingredients.
  • It is a great side dish or dessert to serve for any holiday.
  • The classic dish will remind you of childhood Christmas dinners.
  • A pretty pink color makes the dish stand out on the table.

Your family will be begging you to make this cranberry fluff recipe all year long because it tastes just like the one grandma used to make.

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Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Cookies

By · PUBLISHED · UPDATED · 50 Comments

These dark Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Cookies are perfect for Christmas cookie trays. They have a fudgy texture and lots of holiday flavor, with peppermint chips, white chocolate chips, and Oreo cookies in each bite!

Looking for more peppermint treats? Try these peppermint Oreo balls and this candy cane bark.

Four chocolate peppermint cookies stacked on top of each other with a bite out of the top cookie.

A few years ago, I made these peppermint Oreo cookies, and right away, they became an extremely popular Christmas cookie.  Years later, they are still our number one cookie recipe.

That got me thinking. How could I take that popular peppermint cookie recipe make it even better?  Since chocolate and peppermint is a classic holiday flavor, I chose a chocolate cake mix with extra peppermint flavor.

Chocolate is always the answer to making things better, right?

Why You Will Love These Cookies

  • Easy to make with just a few ingredients.
  • Cake mix cookies stay soft for days!
  • The contrast of red, white, and brown makes them stand out on cookie trays.
  • Chocolate and peppermint is a fantastic flavor combo!
  • It is guaranteed to be everyone's new favorite holiday cookie.

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Lemon Cheesecake Bars

By · PUBLISHED · 2 Comments

Tired of the same old desserts? These Lemon Cheesecake Bars will change your life. They are fresh, creamy, and have just enough sweet and tart flavor to make them perfect for any occasion!

A white plate with a lemon cheesecake bar topped with whipped cream and a raspberry on it.

Cheesecake is such a delicious dessert! But most people avoid making it because they don't have the time or patience to make a fancy dessert.

But what if I told you that you could make cheesecake in minutes? Don't believe me? Try these popular chocolate cheesecake bars and see for yourself. Don't settle for store bought dessert when you can make your own at home.

I love making cheesecake bars because they are easy to make and can be customized for any occasion.

Our easy lemon cheesecake bars have a tangy twist from fresh lemon juice and zest, plus swirls of lemon curd that is mixed into the batter. The graham cracker crust adds extra texture and flavor and makes each bite amazing.

This recipe is so simple that even beginner cooks will feel confident making it for their next dinner party or get-together.

Bonus: If you love lemon, you will love this lemon cream cheese pie, mini lemon blueberry cheesecakes, and these easy lemon bars!

Why You Will Love These Cheesecake Bars

  • Lemon is the perfect flavor for any occasion or season.
  • The crust and filling are so easy to make.
  • Each bar is loaded with lots of delicious lemon flavor.
  • Everyone who tries this dessert will be impressed with your baking skills.
  • The lemon cheesecake bars can be made beforehand, so dessert is ready when needed. 
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