Blog - Inside BruCrew Life

Hot Chocolate Cheesecake

The sweet layers in this Hot Chocolate Cheesecake will have you asking for another slice. A fudgy brownie crust and no bake hot cocoa mousse creates a stunning and delicious dessert that will be the star of every holiday party.

A slice of hot cocoa cheesecake with a brownie crust on a plate.

Brownie cakes are one of my favorite desserts to make. Actually, I think layered desserts are my favorite thing to make. Something about different layers of textures and colors makes me so happy.

A few years ago, I made this hot chocolate dip, and it was super popular online after just a few days. I get it, though. That sweet creamy dip is pretty impressive with cookies, crackers, and fruit.

A few weeks ago, I decided to combine that dip with this thin mint cheesecake. Yup, best idea ever!

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Mint Brownie Swirl Fudge

A pan of this Mint Brownie Swirl Fudge is the perfect addition to your holiday treat trays. Swirls of white chocolate and mint in every bite will have you grabbing another square in a hurry.

So this morning I stepped on the scale after a week of non-stop holiday cookie and sweets eating. Oh fudge!!!

Those were not the numbers I was hoping to see. And we still have the rest of the holidays to get through. It's probably time to slow down on the cookies, the White Chocolate Peppermint Oreo Cake, and the Peppermint Oreo Bark consumption.

I did say slow down, not stop if you noticed. I have tried the whole "not eat sugar thing" before, and it has never lasted very long.

So, I'm going to limit myself...severely limit mind you! I may even try to take the tiniest mouse bites instead of an entire piece. LOL! Like that's going to happen.

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Rustic Wood Ornaments

These homemade Rustic Wood Ornaments are a fun and crafty project that you can make and hang on your Christmas tree this year.

A few weeks ago I opened my email to find a message from a company that sells different and random things throughout the year. Their main sale of the day caught my eye, so I clicked through and started looking through all the holiday projects and decor they were offering this year.

These little wood ornaments were one of the things that I was seriously considering buying. Well, until I saw the price tag. Each one was $5 a piece!!!

Now I understand that there are some people that are totally willing to pay any price for something that they love. Sometimes I even fall into that category.

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Decorating Store Bought Cookies

Decorating Store Bought Cookies is easy when you use melted chocolate and sprinkles to add a fun and festive flair. You will be the hit of the holiday parties when you show up with this plate of cookies, all without turning on your oven.

An overhead shot of a white plate full of Decorated Store Bought Cookies.

There is something so fun about holiday cookies. It doesn't matter if they are homemade or straight out of the store packaging. I love them all.

One of the hot trending food items right now are charcuterie boards. These boards usually consist of meats, cheese, nuts, and fruit arranged in a random pattern. I figured it would be fun to put together a plate full of easy holiday cookies and candies in a similar pattern.

Seriously! Look how fun and pretty this plate of cookies is. And you know the best part? You don't need to spend hours in the kitchen baking anything.

It's amazing what you can do with grocery store cookies and some creative and easy decorating tricks.

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Glazed Cranberry Orange Scones

These glazed Cranberry Orange Scones are soft and buttery and bursting with flavor in every bite. It's a delightful way to start out the morning.

Cranberry Orange Scones on a brown board topped with an orange glaze.

A few weeks ago, when we were planning our meals for the week, my husband asked if I could make a batch of scones for Thanksgiving morning.

Of course, any time I am given an opportunity to bake I take it.

Now I know what you are thinking. "Jocelyn, have you read your own blog before? You bake ALL.THE.TIME. How is this any different." And yes, you would be correct.

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Candy Cane Kiss Cookies

Red and white sugar and a candy kiss give these Candy Cane Kiss Cookies a festive holiday look. These sparkly chocolate kiss cookies will be the first treat to disappear off your holiday cookie tray this year.

Four chocolate kiss cookies rolled in red and white sugar and topped with a candy cane kiss.

I don't know about you, but I just love this time of year. I think it has something to do with all the cookies and fudge and candy that is always sure to be anywhere we go.

Yes, my sweet tooth gets a workout more than normal during the holidays. Thank goodness for weight and cardio workouts to keep me in check.

One thing that is an absolute must during the holidays is a cookie baking marathon. Just make sure you do NOT wrap your cookies in ziplock bags or saran wrap and put them on a tray INSIDE the oven.

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Pecan Banana Bread

Enjoy a slice of this Pecan Banana Bread with your morning coffee. This sweet bread is a delicious breakfast or afternoon snack choice this fall.

If you are looking for more recipes with pecans, try our pumpkin pecan cookies and apple pecan muffins.

Maple Pecan Banana Bread - this sweet bread is loaded with pecan chunks and topped with a maple glaze. Try this easy recipe the next time you have ripe bananas! #bananabread #maple #pecan #sweetbread #breakfast #banana #easy #recipe

Lately, I have stopped buying bananas. Mainly because our oldest is back at college, and the younger two just don't eat them when I do buy a bunch or two.

A few weeks ago, though, I picked up a small bunch of bananas because our daughter likes having a bowl of peanut butter banana ice cream for her late-night snack.

Before I had a chance to freeze them, our littlest guy asked if I was going to make any banana bread because he really wanted some.

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Cherry Cheesecake Brownies

Layers of fudgy brownies, vanilla cheesecake, and cherry pie filling swirls make these Cherry Cheesecake Brownies a pretty and delicious dessert for celebrating any event. These cheesecake brownies are a simple but decadent dessert for parties.

Cheesecake is one of my absolute favorite desserts to make. I love making this Banana Split Cheesecake when I need a big full-size cheesecake to take to special dinners or to a fundraiser at church. It is a jaw dropper for sure!

When I'm short on time and need a fancy dessert, these No Bake Peanut Butter Fudge Cheesecake Parfaits are perfect. Quick and easy desserts are great because they can be made in a hurry.

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Gift Ideas for the Baker

Gift Ideas for the Baker - use this gift guide to buy kitchen tools or utensils for the baker in your life. These gifts are all ones that I own and use the most in our kitchen.

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Holiday Gift Ideas for the Whole Family

We put together this Holiday Gift Ideas for the Whole Family of things that we have and love or things that we would like to purchase soon. All of these items would make great gifts for the favorite people in your family.

Can you even believe that the week of Thanksgiving is almost over? This year is flying by. We spent the past few days relaxing at home with just our little family. It has been nice to do nothing but play games and hang out together.

Now it is time to pull out the Christmas decorations and start dreaming of all the fun gifts that we want...to buy for others, of course. I love finding a bargain in the stores and hunting down the perfect gift, but over the years I have also come to love online shopping.

It's kind of nice sitting on the couch in my comfy pants with a cup of coffee while doing some shopping.

The links to these items are through Amazon, which if you have Prime means those items will get to you speedy fast leaving you more time to sit around eating Eggnog Sugar Cookie Bars and sipping Nutella Hot Chocolate.

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