Inside BruCrew Life
menu icon
subscribe
search icon
×

Mini Strawberry Pretzel Salad Parfaits Recipe

By · PUBLISHED · UPDATED · 7 Comments

These individual Strawberry Pretzel Salad cups have the best combo of sweet and salty AND creamy and crunchy in each one. This easy strawberry pretzel dessert recipe is the perfect treat to bring to summer picnics and barbecues.

A jar of strawberry pretzel salad topped with Cool Whip and a pretzel on a white plate. More parfaits are behind it.

Strawberry Pretzel Dessert

Right now I'm all about strawberry desserts.  A few weeks ago I made a few batches of this Strawberry Pie Filling. It's so easy to make and is perfect for eating with cheesecake, waffles, and ice cream.

Another one of my favorite no bake desserts in the summer is strawberry pretzel salad.  This easy Southern dessert has layers of crunchy pretzels, no bake cheesecake, and strawberries in Jello.

I decided to combine that pretzel salad with my homemade strawberry pie filling. Holy cow!!! These little strawberry cheesecake parfaits turned out so good.

Each jar has the perfect blend of sweet and salty, plus creamy and crunchy.

...

Read More

Orange Fluff Jello Salad

By · PUBLISHED · UPDATED · 1 Comment

A bowl of creamy Orange Fluff comes together in less than 5 minutes. This 5-ingredient Jello salad recipe is fluffy, refreshing, and perfect for serving as a dessert or side dish at any meal.

A white and orange bowl on a blue towel filled with Orange Fluff and topped with extra oranges.
[feast_advanced_jump_to]

Cottage Cheese Jello Salad

Certain dishes bring up fond memories from the past. One of those dishes for me is Jello fluff salad. I remember my great aunt making this cottage cheese Jello salad when I was little.

This easy five-ingredient salad is a light side dish that is absolutely delicious during the hot summer months. I couldn't wait to dig into the orange fluff after it had chilled for a few hours.

One bite and I was instantly reminded of dinner at my aunt's house. This sweet orange fluff Jello salad is definitely going to be on repeat this summer because it is so easy to make and tastes so good. It is a crowd favorite for picnics and potlucks.

...

Read More

Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies

By · PUBLISHED · UPDATED · 58 Comments

These easy Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies will bring back memories of Little Debbie snack cakes. Chewy oatmeal cookies sandwiched together with a fluffy cream filling will remind you of your favorite classic childhood treat.

A white plate with four oatmeal cream pies stacked on top of each other.
[feast_advanced_jump_to]

Oatmeal Cream Pie Recipe

One of my favorite lunch box snacks when I was growing up was Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies. Sure, I loved Zebra Cakes, Fudge Rounds, and Swiss Rolls, but I always reached for those soft and chewy oatmeal creme pie cookies first.

Even to this day, there is something so nostalgic about opening that crinkly cellophane wrapper and smelling the sweet oatmeal goodness of Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies.

When I came across a recipe in an old church cookbook for homemade oatmeal cream pies, I knew I had to try them right away. Our kids devoured the cream-filled cookies and declared them better than the store-bought treats. I call that a baking success!

Why Make Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies

  • This treat brings back happy childhood memories. If you enjoyed these treats growing up, making them at home can bring back those joyful moments.
  • The homemade copycat treats taste better than the original, and by making them yourself, you avoid adding extra preservatives and additives.
  • Your kitchen will be filled with an amazing aroma as the cookies bake; the combination of oatmeal and cinnamon creates a comforting scent.
  • Everyone loves these cookies. These cookies received rave reviews, so be prepared to share more cookies or the recipe.
...

Read More

Rocky Road Icebox Cake

By · PUBLISHED · UPDATED · Leave a Comment

A chocolate icebox cake is the perfect dessert to make when it is too hot to bake. This Rocky Road Icebox Cake has layers of chocolate graham crackers and chocolate filling that come together in minutes. Such an easy and delicious summer treat.

A white plate with a square of chocolate icebox cake topped with marshmallows and nuts on it.

One of the best desserts to make during the hot summer months is an icebox cake.

For this chocolate icebox cake I decided to give it the flavor of Rocky Road ice cream by adding marshmallows, nuts, and chocolate to the layers.  It tastes like this easy chocolate mousse only in cake form.

When you need an easy crowd pleasing dessert, you can't beat an icebox cake. It really can be made in minutes.

...

Read More

Cookie Dough Truffles

By · PUBLISHED · UPDATED · 35 Comments

Get ready to indulge! These Cookie Dough Truffles are the perfect no bake treat that is safe to eat and easy to make. Enjoy an edible cookie dough recipe that is egg free, dipped in chocolate, and jazzed up with sprinkles. 

Cookie dough dipped in chocolate and decorated with white chocolate and sprinkles.
[feast_advanced_jump_to]

Growing up we always licked the mixer beaters after my mom made chocolate chip cookies. I even let our kids do the same thing when they were younger. I even used to eat spoonfuls of raw dough from time to time without worrying about bacteria.

But with all the concerns from eating raw eggs and raw flour, I wanted to find a solution so we could safely eat cookie dough. Now with this edible cookie dough recipe, I can share treats with others without any worry.

There is just something satisfying about eating cookie dough. And when that cookie dough is dipped in chocolate it is even better. Get ready to pop a few of these chocolate chip cookie dough truffles in your mouth!

  • Easy no bake treat. The dough comes together in minutes, then you just dip each ball in melted chocolate.
  • Safe to eat. The cookie dough is egg-free and made with heat treated flour, so no one will get sick.
  • Fun dessert for any occasion. These truffles can be customized for any holiday or event by using sprinkles that match your theme.
...

Read More

Peanut Butter Cup Rice Krispie Treats

By · PUBLISHED · UPDATED · 102 Comments

Rice Krispie Treats no longer have to be boring. Jazz up the best rice krispie treats with everyone's favorite Reese's candy. These Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats are easy to make and are off the chart amazing!

Love easy no bake cereal bars? You are going to love these easy cinnamon toast crunch bars and these Lucky Charms rice krispies.

A white plate with a stack of three peanut butter cup rice krispie treats stacked on it
[feast_advanced_jump_to]

Why Make These Peanut Butter Treats

Rice Krispie treats are one of my favorite things to make for dessert. They are just so easy to make and always taste great.

The problem is that I can't stop my mind from wandering when it comes to easy desserts. This time when I went to make a pan of original rice Krispie treats, I saw a bag of peanut butter cups and remembered how good these Rice Krispie candy bars were.

Right away I had to add a layer of Reese's to the middle of the peanut butter rice Krispies with chocolate. Best idea EVER! The layer of peanut butter cups inside these treats made this one of the most requested treats in our house. 

  • No baking required!
  • Stuffed with peanut butter cups.
  • Sweet chocolate topping.
...

Read More

Banana Split Pie Recipe

By · PUBLISHED · UPDATED · 58 Comments

Brownies combined with a banana split is the best of both worlds. This Banana Split Pie Recipe has layers of gooey brownies and a creamy banana cheesecake baked in a sugar cone crust. Watch everyone's eyes light up when you serve this banana split dessert.  

A white plate with a slice of banana split pie topped with strawberries, hot fudge, and toppings on it.

Banana splits are the ultimate summer dessert. There is something about bananas topped with ice cream and all the toppings that makes everyone smile.

Years ago I waitressed at Friendly's and served banana splits and ice cream sundaes to customers. There is something so fun about adding all the toppings to a giant banana split!

The best part about banana splits is how versatile they are.  You can add whatever toppings you enjoy to them!

One of my favorite things to do is make banana split desserts. It's so easy to add those banana split flavors to different things like brownies, coffee cakes, or cookies.

Why This Works

This banana split brownie recipe was a fun way to add a banana split dessert on top of a brownie pie. Bananas and chocolate is a delicious combo.

A gooey brownie baked in a crust is the perfect base for a creamy banana cheesecake. Adding all the classic banana split toppings before you serve this pie is a must. This sweet dessert will satisfy the chocolate and fruit lovers in your family.

What makes this banana split pie unique is the crust. The original recipe from 10 years ago had a waffle cone crust, but that ends up a little chewy after baking.

A sugar cone crust is a great option because they bake up nice and crispy!

...

Read More

Snickers Cheesecake with Brownie Bottom

By · PUBLISHED · UPDATED · 5 Comments

This Snickers Cheesecake has a layer of no bake cheesecake loaded with candy bars and a chewy fudge brownie bottom.  Caramel and chocolate drizzles makes this easy cheesecake dessert look like you brought it home from the bakery. No one will guess you baked it in your own kitchen!

A white plate with hot fudge drizzles and a slice of snickers cheesecake with a brownie crust on it

Why You Will Love This

This easy brownie bottom cheesecake is a delicious and gooey way to end any dinner.  Ever since I made these Mint Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Brownies I have been obsessed with making cheesecake desserts in the shape of a brownie cake.

Yes, I realize that you would just call them a brownie bottom cheesecake.  Just humor me and let me call them cake, ok? For this "cake", I baked a batch of our homemade brownies in a springform pan and let it chill. Then I added a layer of no bake caramel cheesecake filled with Snickers bars and lots of Cool Whip.

Drizzling hot fudge and caramel sauce on top made this Snickers cheesecake an impressive dessert that looked like it came from a bakery. Get ready for rave reviews from everyone.

...

Read More

Southwest Pasta Salad

By · PUBLISHED · 18 Comments

Fresh veggies, chicken, and an avocado dressing makes this creamy Southwest Pasta Salad one of our favorite summer meals.  This easy pasta salad recipe comes together in minutes and will be the hit of every summer picnic or barbecue.

A blue bowl on a red towel filled with a ranch pasta salad that is loaded with veggies and chicken

Summer Pasta Salad

Summer in our house means pasta salad for dinner most nights.   Our family really does love these types of salads and would be ok eating them all the time with different meats.  Something about fresh air, sunshine, and summer just makes a pasta salad that much more delicious.

Pasta salads are so easy to make for summer picnics. Add a batch of Homemade Chocolate Chip Brownies and a Dessert Salad and everyone will be asking you for your recipes.

There are so many different ways you can customize a pasta salad, so you are not eating the same thing over and over. We like to use Hidden Valley Ranch Dressings to change up the flavor of our creamy pasta salad recipes and our regular dinner salads.

...

Read More

Red White and Blue Cheesecake Bars

By · PUBLISHED · UPDATED · 84 Comments

Swirls of colors make these Red White and Blue Cheesecake Bars a fun dessert to share at holiday BBQ's. This super simple red, white, and blue dessert is sure to brighten your Memorial Day and 4th of July picnics. So, let's get this party started.

Add a batch of these 4th of July Cookies and your picnics will be perfect.

A white plate with a square of red white and blue swirled cheesecake topped with Cool Whip and sprinkles on it

Cheesecake Bars

One of our favorite desserts is this Rainbow Cheesecake. I love that it is so easy to make and to customize for any party.  You can change the swirls of color match any party theme. 

All the stores have red, white, and blue decorations out right now for Memorial Day and 4th of July, so I picked a few things up for our summer picnics. One of my favorite things to do for holidays is to make a dessert that is fun and colorful, so I grabbed some star sprinkles too.

Cheesecake bars are a great way to add some color and fun to any party.  I was looking through the 4th of July treats I have made over the years, and there was nothing red, white, and blue in the cheesecake section, so I had to make a red white and blue dessert right away. 

...

Read More