Blog - Inside BruCrew Life

Creamy Italian Tomato Soup Recipe

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED January 5, 2020 · UPDATED February 24, 2021 · 12 Comments

Make a pot of this easy Creamy Italian Tomato Soup to serve on chilly winter nights. You can have this hearty tomato soup recipe on your dinner table in under 30 minutes.

Our kids come home each and every day and head right for the refrigerator. You would think they had not eaten all day long based on the way they grab at anything and everything edible.

I try to fend off those hungry beasts by telling them dinner will be ready in less than an hour. That is met with moans and groans and claims of starvation. Most days I cave and let them have a tube of yogurt, a few Peanut Butter Banana Popsicles, or veggies & fruit.

They grumble a little more because they really want the cookies and candies they know I'm stashing in the pantry, but they will take any food at that point. ...

Salted Chocolate Grain Free Granola

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED January 4, 2020 · UPDATED February 18, 2020 · Leave a Comment

This easy Salted Chocolate Grain Free Granola is a delicious breakfast or after school snack choice. The grain free, gluten free, and vegan snack mix is great with all milk, in yogurt parfaits, or eaten by the handfuls.

Granola was one of those snacks that I always bought. It was just easy to throw a bag or two in the cart every time we went grocery shopping.

Then one day I forgot to buy a bag, so I decided to try making homemade granola for our daughter's after school snack. I had no idea granola was so easy to make.

One batch of this Raspberry Chocolate Chip Granola totally changed my mind. It's quick and easy to make, it's cheaper, and so much tastier.

In fact, until recently we have just made a bunch of different flavors like this Chocolate Covered Strawberry Granola to enjoy for breakfast and snacks. ...

Skinny Raspberry Mint Smoothie

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED January 2, 2020 · UPDATED March 1, 2022 · 15 Comments

This Skinny Raspberry Mint Smoothie is a refreshing drink to add to your breakfast or lunch routine. Adding frozen fruits and protein powder to a smoothie will help keep you full for longer.

It's that time of year again. Has everyone jumped on the healthy eating bandwagon yet? The first of the year tends to get everyone ready to start off with eating right and exercising.

I’m right there with you. Bring on the salads and smoothies!!!

We started an herbal cleanse and healthy eating on January 1^st. Yes, we are stereotypical here, too. It is time to say bye, bye to the cupcake butt and cookie thighs I developed from enjoyed way too many holiday treats last month. My jeans want to be happy again. ...

Top Ten BruCrew Recipes from 2019

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED December 31, 2019 · 2 Comments

It's crazy to think that another year has come and gone already. Making and sharing recipes with you is still our favorite job ever. None of this would be possible without you.

The love and support you guys give us is amazing. Thank you so much for all the comments and emails you send our way. We really do appreciate all the feedback you give us.

I love looking back over the blog stats from the year and seeing what recipes got the most love. It really does give us a better idea of what kind of recipes to make and share with you in the next year.

Last year four out the top ten recipes were healthy ones. And two of those were the very top two recipes out of all the ones I made. I'm thinking that means you would love to see a lot more healthy eats. Am I right?

Of course, the other six were amazing desserts, so I will definitely keep those kind of recipes coming.

CLICK HERE TO PIN THIS POST FOR LATER!

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Mocha Fudge Pudding Parfaits

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED December 30, 2019 · UPDATED February 18, 2020 · 26 Comments

Layers of cookies, no bake cheesecake, and pudding make these Mocha Fudge Pudding Parfaits an impressive dessert. No one needs to know how easy they actually are to make.

I hope you had an amazing holiday season this year.

We really had a great time as a family relaxing, playing games, and eating way too many Peanut Butter Balls and Oreo Peppermint Crunch Cookies.

I can honestly say I have had my fill of sweets. Is it the new year yet? I'm ready for all kinds of salads and healthy treats.

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Cherry Almond Brie Bites

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED December 28, 2019 · UPDATED December 29, 2021 · 29 Comments

A tray of these Cherry Almond Brie Bites will get everyone's attention at your holiday parties. Flakey crescent rolls filled with melted Brie cheese and a homemade cherry filling is the perfect appetizer for any party.

A few years ago I kept seeing so many different Brie recipes, but I just had no desire to jump on that band wagon. So I waited to try Brie cheese. Oh, boy! Was I ever wrong to wait so long to try it. It is now one of my all time favorite cheeses.

A few years ago I made these Blackberry Brie Bites and was instantly hooked on the fruit and melty cheese combo. My husband wasn't so impressed. That's ok with me because that means more for me to enjoy and devour....

Merry Christmas 2019

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED December 27, 2019 · 1 Comment

We want to wish each of you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We appreciate you reading our posts and making our recipes throughout the year.

You make all of this possible, and your support makes it even more fun. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for letting us share fun stories and recipes from our kitchen.

It's our hope and prayer that sometime during this busy holiday season you take some time to relax and to enjoy everything that God has place in your life. It's so easy to be busy all the time that we forget to slow down, to be still, and to just enjoy the moment.

May the joy of Jesus and the gift of His son that He sent so many years ago in Bethlehem fill your heart and soul as you celebrate with your friends and family this week.

Merry CHRISTmas!!!

Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will toward men.”

Mini Puff Pancakes

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED December 20, 2019 · UPDATED March 15, 2022 · 2 Comments

Enjoy an easy breakfast this holiday season with these fun Mini Puff Pancakes. Add a few spoonfuls of Lucky Leaf Toppers to the center of each one and watch your guests dig in.

*I am partnering with Lucky Leaf this year as a blog ambassador bringing you delicious recipes using pie filling.

Mini Puff Pancakes with Lucky Leaf Toppers - these easy muffin pancakes are a fun and easy recipe to make for breakfast. Add a few different Toppers to your breakfast table and let everyone customize their pancakes. Easy recipe to make for holiday breakfast or brunch parties! #pancakes #dutchbaby @luckyleaf #toppers #ad #breakfast #brunch #recipe #ILoveLuckyLeaf

One of our kids favorite things to eat for breakfast are stacks of pancakes. In the spirit of true confession I am not a morning person, so I do not like to make pancakes very often.

The only time I make hot fresh pancakes for breakfast is on birthdays. The rest of the year I make a big batch of pancakes and freeze them.

This allows me to sleep in and allows our teenagers to make their own breakfast on busy mornings.

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Chocolate Peppermint Bundt Cake

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED December 19, 2019 · UPDATED November 12, 2022 · 6 Comments

This decadent Chocolate Peppermint Bundt Cake is the perfect holiday dessert. It is easy to make, looks impressive, and tastes amazing. Trust me, this chocolate cake recipe will not disappoint you!

Looking for more Christmas desserts? Try this peppermint Oreo bark and these peppermint meltaways.

A white plate with a slice of peppermint bundt cake with chocolate glaze and peppermint bits on it.

There is nothing better than sipping on a peppermint mocha hot chocolate on a chilly winter day. As I was getting ready to bake the other day I realized those flavors would be awesome in a cake as well.

To give the chocolate peppermint bundt cake a mocha flavor, I made a rich chocolate ganache using espresso chocolate chips and dark chocolate chips. It was the perfect flavor to compliment the chocolate cake and peppermint bits.

Why This is the Perfect Holiday Cake

A peppermint bundt cake is a great holiday dessert because it only takes minutes to throw together, yet everyone will think you were in the kitchen for hours. The secret to this chocolate cake is that you start with a box cake mix.

The doctored up cake mix topped with chocolate ganache and peppermint candies makes an impressive holiday dessert that everyone will love. Trust me, it will be the hit of your Christmas dinner table this year.

One bite and your guests will be asking for this bundt cake recipe. The candy cane bits add just enough festive flair, while adding an extra bit of crunch and sweetness at the same time!

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Peppermint Oreo Swirl Cheesecake

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED December 18, 2019 · UPDATED December 20, 2021 · 5 Comments

Swirls of Oreo cookies and peppermint bits belong together during the holidays. Make this Peppermint Oreo Cheesecake for every party or event you attend this month and watch everyone smile.

Cheesecake definitely has a reputation for being difficult to make, but I honestly hope that I can convince you that's not true. Once you know the basics, making a full sized cheesecake is a piece of cake. Literally. LOL!

It all comes down to using the right ingredients, the right temperature, and the right pans. Once you get that down pat, it is easy to start changing out ingredients and adding different mix-ins in the batter. I shared my tips and tricks in the post for the Best Vanilla Bean Cheesecake.

This holiday cheesecake was actually inspired by a carton of peppermint ice cream from our local grocery store....

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