Search Results for: pie

No Bake Lemon Coconut Cheesecake

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED August 1, 2016 · UPDATED May 26, 2026 · 6 Comments

Bright lemon curd and sweet coconut filling make this no bake lemon coconut cheesecake stand out on the dessert table! No oven required, and it comes together in just 20 minutes!

If you love lemon desserts, try these lemon bars or these lemon meringue cupcakes next.

A slice of no bake lemon coconut cheesecake on a plate with the rest behind it.

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Cheesecake is definitely one of my favorite desserts. Honestly, I could make it every week and never get bored. It's easy to bake it into many shapes, from a classic vanilla bean cheesecake to colorful rainbow cheesecake bars.

But if I had to pick a favorite style, no bake cheesecake wins every time! There is something appealing about a dessert that doesn't require any oven time. You simply mix all the ingredients, place the pan in the fridge, and walk away. That's my kind of dessert right there, especially living in Florida!

This lemon macaroon cheesecake is a summer favorite here. Lemon and coconut just go together when it's 90°F outside. I loved that combo in these lemon coconut cupcakes so much that turning it into a cheesecake felt like the right move.

The best part about this no bake dessert is that it looks like it came straight from a bakery. But we both know it barely took any effort to put together! Wink, wink!

Why You'll Love This Lemon Macaroon Cheesecake

No oven required. Just mix, assemble, and let the fridge do the work! It's ready in 20 minutes and perfect for hot days when turning on the oven is not an option.
Bright lemon and sweet coconut flavor. The tart and sweet combination of lemon curd and shredded coconut makes every slice refreshing and delicious.
Looks way more impressive than it actually is. The layers of crust, filling, and lemon curd make every slice look like it came from a fancy bakery. Your secret is safe with me!
Great for any occasion. This cheesecake fits right in at summer parties, potlucks, or holiday dinners. Trust me, it won't last long!

BLT Chicken Alfredo French Bread Pizza

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED July 13, 2016 · UPDATED August 5, 2019 · 17 Comments

Looking for an easy dinner idea? This BLT Chicken Alfredo French Bread Pizza is loaded with goodness and is kid-approved.

BLT Chicken Alfredo French Bread Pizza - easy pizza loaded with meat, cheese, and veggies and on the table in 20 minutes. Awesome dinner recipe!

We do pizza night quite often at our house. Sometimes that pizza is carryout, and sometimes it is homemade pizza dough with our favorite toppings. But then there are those times when I want homemade pizza without the work.

Did you know that you could use a loaf of French bread as your pizza base when you want pizza in a hurry? Yup, it works like a charm.

Just slice it in half lengthwise and top it with your favorite meats, veggies, and cheese. It is ready to go in the oven in about 5 minutes.

Blueberry Key Lime Cheesecake Bars

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED June 13, 2016 · UPDATED April 3, 2020 · 31 Comments

These Blueberry Key Lime Cheesecake Bars are a delicious and cool way to enjoy dessert this summer. Each sweet bite combines blueberry pie filling with creamy citrus cheesecake!

A batch of White Chocolate Blueberry Mousse Cheesecakes are another fun and easy dessert to make when it is hot outside.

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

Blueberry Key Lime Cheesecake Bars - these creamy cheesecake bars are loaded with blueberry pie filling and citrus flavor. Awesome summer dessert recipe! #cheesecake #blueberry #piefilling #cheesecakebars #keylime #summerdesserts

My husband has an old black Saab convertible that he loves driving around when the weather is warm and sunny. I don't mind riding in it with him, but when the temperature gets over about 85 degrees it isn't quite as comfortable. The black seats get hot very quickly, so getting in with shorts on is interesting.

And of course, the minute you stop moving, anyone sitting on those black seats starts to cook. These little things don't stop my husband from enjoying his car.

Although, this week the temperature is supposed to be over 100 degrees here. Something tells me he will be getting his other car fixed pretty quickly.

Blueberry Key Lime Donuts

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED June 6, 2016 · UPDATED June 7, 2021 · 7 Comments

Blueberry Key Lime Donuts will make your summer breakfast awesome. Such a sweet combo to wake up to.

Blueberry Key Lime Donuts - these easy baked donuts are full of berries and fruit juice. Great summer breakfast recipe.

Any time I eat key lime, I can't help but go back 18 years to our honeymoon. It was the first time I enjoyed a true key lime pie, so now my mind always relives that trip each time I enjoy anything with key lime.

My husband and I had so much fun in Key West walking to the beach, eating free hot dogs at the pool, and enjoying burgers and shakes at Checkers. We didn't have a lot of money to do a bunch of big things on our honeymoon, just spending time together exploring was enough for us.

Cherry Chocolate Mousse Parfaits

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED May 9, 2016 · UPDATED December 4, 2018 · 25 Comments

These Cherry Chocolate Mousse Parfaits have layers of pie filling, cookies, and a creamy chocolate mousse cheesecake. Grab a spoon and get ready to dig in!

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

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My husband goes in spurts with his healthy eating. Most days he can say no to the desserts and treats that I pump out of our kitchen. I wish I had that kind of willpower.

A few months ago he decided that he was going to give up sugar and carbs for a while. Yes, right as I was in the middle of recipe testing for the cookbook, he stopped eating sweets. That limited my reliable taste testers by quite a bit. Thank goodness I have willing friends at church who are always ready to step up to the dessert eating challenge.

One night we stopped at the store to pick up a few ingredients I needed. Apparently the lack of sugar was finally starting to get to my hubby because while I was grabbing some cans of pie filling and cookies, he was looking over the chocolate baking bars. [Read more...]

Toffee Apple Bread

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED April 27, 2016 · UPDATED August 18, 2020 · 20 Comments

Slices of this Toffee Apple Bread and a cup of hot coffee are the perfect way to enjoy some quiet time in the morning or afternoon.

*I am partnering with Crunch Pak apples as a brand ambassador bringing you delicious apple recipes.

Toffee Apple Bread - shredded apples, toffee bits, and a brown sugar frosting makes this sweet bread recipe a keeper!

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Something has definitely changed in our household lately. Our kids are ignoring the cookies and treats that I make each day, and my husband has been eating more baked goods than normal.

You guys, it's crazy weird around here. Not that I'm complaining about our kids not eating sweets...because they are still pillaging the pantry for snack cakes and candy bars. They are just over baked goods, I guess.

The snacking rule after school is a fruit or veggie. They look for every loophole they can use to get around that one. I keep bags of apples and carrots on hand for those munchie moments. These fluffernutter apple nachos are even something I will approve in the afternoon. As long as I can visibly see the fruit or veggie, it's fair game!

Avocado Shrimp Cobb Salad

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED March 31, 2016 · UPDATED June 27, 2021 · 6 Comments

This easy Avocado Shrimp Cobb Salad is so easy to put together when you are wanting to eat fresh and healthy. Mix in your favorite veggies and meats to have your own customized salad.

Today is the day I give up sugar for 10 days. Are you laughing with me right now, too? But seriously...I am giving it another go. Every few months, I need to detox and get all the sugar from my system with an herbal cleanse.

I can always tell when I have been eating too much of the sweet stuff. I start to feel sluggish and slow, and I start to crave salads. Despite consistently working out, I'm not seeing any changes in my weight. I blame all the cheesecake for that!

Since the scale hasn't really changed, I guess the workouts are worth all the bites of cheesecake goodness. But with the short season just around the corner, it is time to ramp it up. [Read more...]

Peanut Butter Mousse Cake

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED March 24, 2016 · UPDATED March 25, 2022 · 20 Comments

This fun Peanut Butter Mousse Cake has layers of white cake and a fluffy peanut butter filling. It's an impressive dessert to share at any party.

A slice of white cake with white frosting topped with colorful Easter candies.

So, I have some big, monstrous, fun news to share with you! And of course, we can't celebrate this news without cake, right? Something about cake says party to me!!!

Have you noticed lately that I have slowed down on the recipes and posts around here? Some of that is due to moving and life changes. Packing up an entire household and moving across the country to learn a new culture and area can be taxing. But honestly, that isn't the big reason for slowing down...

Most of my time and energy has been going into cheesecaking everything!!! If you have been reading our blog for a few years, you know that we love to include cheesecake in just about everything! You may have also noticed that there has been a shortage of cheesecake recipes here in the past 6 months or so.

Lemon Coconut Cupcakes

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED March 17, 2016 · UPDATED April 3, 2022 · 14 Comments

These Lemon Coconut Cupcakes are an easy and refreshing dessert! Lemon frosting and pie filling make these coconut cupcakes a delicious recipe for spring events like Easter or Mother's Day. Trust me, though, you will want to make them all year long.

A coconut cupcake with lemon frosting and a raspberry with a bite taken out showing the hidden lemon pie filling center.

It's official. Spring is here, and it's time to add lemon to everything. I used to avoid lemon desserts because I wasn't a fan of the tart flavor. Anyone else with me?

A few years ago, I made these Easy Lemon Bars, and the sweet crust paired with the tart filling convinced me that I should give all lemon dessert recipes a second chance.

Baby steps, right? One of these days, I will be able to say I'm a full-blown lemon lover!

I decided that cupcakes needed a lemon upgrade, so I added a hidden pocket of lemon pie filling to the coconut cupcakes. Best decision ever!

Smoked Sausage Pasta

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED March 3, 2016 · UPDATED August 12, 2026 · 14 Comments

This Smoked Sausage Pasta is a creamy, cheesy skillet dinner loaded with kielbasa, veggies, and melted mozzarella on top. Ready in just 30 minutes, this delicious meal always disappears quickly at the dinner table.

A black plate filled with a pasta and smoked sausage.

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Let's be real. Baking is a piece of cake for me, but making dinner? That's a whole different story. I can bake cookies or brownies without even thinking about it, but ask me what's for dinner tonight, and my mind goes completely blank. Every. Single. Time.

I cannot tell you how many nights I have stood in the kitchen staring at the pantry hoping something will magically come to me. Sometimes I'm inspired by the random ingredients, and sometimes we just eat cereal or order pizza and call it a day.

But this smoked sausage pasta recipe is one of these inspired accidents. I grabbed noodles and canned tomatoes from the pantry, and then added some smoked kielbasa and mozzarella from the fridge, and just threw it all together. Everyone in my family went back for seconds, so I knew we had another dish to add to our meal rotation.

Why You'll Love Pasta With Smoked Sausage

Ready in 30 minutes. The food is on the table fast, which is exactly what you need on those busy nights when everyone is asking about dinner.
A hearty and satisfying meal. Smoky kielbasa, creamy mozzarella sauce, and tender pasta in one skillet. This is the kind of meal that fills everyone up.
Easy to customize. Swap the meat, change up the veggies, or use whatever pasta shape you have on hand. This recipe is very flexible and works with what you have.
The whole family will love it. A cheesy pasta dinner is guaranteed to get thumbs up around the whole table.

Cranberry Poppyseed Apple Salad

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED February 24, 2016 · UPDATED August 18, 2020 · 12 Comments

This Cranberry Poppyseed Apple Salad is loaded with fruit and nuts. The bright colors and textures make it a delicious addition to your picnics or Easter dinner table.

*This post was sponsored by Crunch Pak apples. I am partnering with them as a blog ambassador creating delicious apple recipes.

Have you ever noticed how hanging pictures on the walls makes the room look entirely different? We have been in our new house for 2 months now, so last week I decided it was time to decide on some decor for the bare walls.

Well that...and we had invited people over for dinner. That will get you motivated to finish decorating. We added a few pieces to the walls, and instantly it made the rooms feel warmer and cozier. Nothing else changed in the room, but it still felt so different. It was definitely a good different.

Of course that has me wanting to go out and buy more pictures for the rest of the walls now... [Read more...]

Cherry Chocolate Chip Scones

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED February 12, 2016 · UPDATED June 9, 2021 · 7 Comments

Cherry Chocolate Chip Scones are a delightful way to start out any morning. Who can resist the perfect-for-your-Valentine combo of chocolate and cherries?

Cherry Chocolate Chip Scones recipe - adding chocolate chips and cherries to these soft scones makes the perfect breakfast treat.

Our morning routine is getting later and later each day. We started off last month with everyone getting up early for school and having extra time in the morning before we had to leave. Everyone was getting used to a new area and routine, so getting up early was easy to do. As the weeks have gone by, everyone is starting to hit the snooze button a little bit more each morning.

I wish I could say it was just the kids doing that, but that little snooze button on my alarm has been getting some good use lately too. My husband and I have good intentions of being up early to do our work out of the day, but lately we have been getting up in just enough time to only do a short routine.

Every night I set the alarm and tell myself that tomorrow is the day to start getting up with the first alarm, but then the warm, cozy bed convinces me otherwise in the early morning hours.

Strawberry Mousse Cake

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED February 8, 2016 · UPDATED December 18, 2020 · 33 Comments

Layers of vanilla cake, strawberry filling, and chocolate frosting make this easy Strawberry Mousse Cake a pretty and delicious dessert.

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

Each month I have a new flavor that I tend to go crazy for. Sometimes it coincides with a holiday or what is popular at the moment. Obviously in the fall and winter, pumpkin and peppermint get plenty of loving in my kitchen. Then usually I turn to coconut in January because I am trying to think tropical thoughts while snow is falling outside.

Since February is the love month, anything red is fair game. Right now I am gaga for strawberry everything! It might be my new go to flavor every year at this time.

Lucky for me, my family likes the red fruit in just about anything I can think of to bake. They are just happy I moved on from coconut...that one never gets as many smiles. [Read more...]

Reese's S'mores Cookie Pizza

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED January 29, 2016 · UPDATED December 18, 2020 · 26 Comments

Layers of cookie, candies, and marshmallows make this Reese's S'mores Cookie Pizza a decadent and amazing dessert! This pizza is the perfect sweet snack for after dinner or on game day.

After a month of being in a new place, my hubby and I are totally failing at this home exercise thing. It's not for lack of equipment. We bought a few pieces that we could work out with, and my hubby built a rack with pull-up bars. I'm pretty impressed with how legit it looks.

The problem comes at 5:45 AM when the alarm goes off. Neither one of us are very good motivators in the getting up department. Part of that is that the garage is so cold early in the morning. That alone doesn't make me want to leave the warm covers. Not to mention squats, kettle bells, and burpees are killers!

A few days that we skipped the morning routine, I have gone to the garage later in the day and worked out. That is one good benefit to the gym being right there. I have no excuses for not doing something each day! Especially when I can't stop eating things like this Reese's s'mores cookie pizza. [Read more...]

Apple Cranberry Coffee Cake

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED December 18, 2015 · UPDATED March 3, 2021 · 7 Comments

Fresh fruit, crumble, and a drizzle of glaze make this Apple Cranberry Coffee Cake an impressive coffee cake to share at breakfast.

*This post was sponsored by Crunch Pak apples. I am partnering with them as a blog ambassador creating delicious apple recipes.

Can you believe that we are down to one week until Christmas? Ok, that totally just freaked me out when I wrote that. I always think that I'm going to be on top of things when December gets here, but in reality I'm still scrambling to get things finished up.

Cards were ordered two weeks ago, but they are still sitting here waiting for addresses and stamps. There are presents to buy and wrap for our kids and family. Good thing I waited until a week before because it's not going to be crazy in the store now, right? What was I thinking?

Oh, and let's not forget about packing up anything and everything we have accumulated over the years. Moving over the holidays is not the best idea we have had, but it had to be that way, so we are rolling with it. That just means I had to make all my holiday desserts a month early this year. At least I'm ahead on one thing... [Read more...]

Chocolate Peppermint Wafers

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED December 11, 2015 · UPDATED June 9, 2021 · 8 Comments

These no bake Chocolate Peppermint Wafers are an easy treat to make and share with friends at all your holiday parties.

These Chocolate Peppermint Wafers are an easy no bake treat that is perfect for holiday cookie trays!

Hi, my name is Jocelyn, and I cannot stop with the peppermint. Seriously, nothing is safe in our kitchen! I have been dipping and peppermint-ing all the things! My family is starting to look at me like I'm a crazy woman. Ok, that might be true...

Adding peppermint is just how I am celebrating the holidays this year. This month we are packing up to make a major move, so we are not decorating anything because everything is in boxes. It doesn't feel like much of a holiday month right now. Maybe a few more mugs of peppermint mocha hot chocolate will help!

My way of making our house feel holiday ready is to keep the peppermint goodness flowing out of the kitchen. I may have started in the middle of November and haven't stopped yet.

Red Velvet Donuts

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED December 10, 2015 · UPDATED June 10, 2021 · 5 Comments

These Red Velvet Donuts with a sprinkle of candy canes are a fun and festive holiday breakfast treat. Go ahead and make them for Christmas morning.

Red velvet donuts topped with frosting and peppermint bits.

As I was growing up, one of my sisters and I had a pact every year. If we knew what the other one was getting for Christmas, we would spill the beans to each other. Of course, we knew where our mom hid the presents, too, so we would sneak around and see what we could find in her closet and drawers.

I'm pretty sure if my mom had wrapped presents early, I would have slit the tape to look inside and then taped it back up. Yes, I'm a snoop. I think she knew the kids were not to be trusted, so she never wrapped our presents until the night before.

We have also done this "tradition" of wrapping gifts the night before with our kids. There is something magical about coming out to packages all around the tree on Christmas Day. Plus, I know my kids are just as sneaky as I was growing up, so there is no way I am putting packages out early for them to figure out.

Chocolate Peppermint Oreo Cookie Cups

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED December 8, 2015 · UPDATED November 26, 2018 · 16 Comments

Hiding little cookies inside these Chocolate Peppermint Oreo Cookie Cups will get smiles from everyone this holiday season. Chocolate and peppermint is a combo that everyone is sure to love.

*This post was sponsored by the J.M. Smucker Company. I am partnering with them this winter as a brand ambassador creating recipes from products they send me.

These easy Chocolate Peppermint Oreo Cookie Cups have a hidden cookie center and are topped with peppermint frosting and candy pieces. Great holiday treat!

Peppermint and chocolate treats are still going strong in our kitchen. I'm not tired of them yet, but I think I'm getting a few looks from my family when they see all the peppermint pieces on everything. I suppose I should make another batch of these Eggnog Sugar Cookie Bars to keep them off my case.

Putting peppermint in everything totally keeps me in the holiday spirit though. Does anyone else feel that way about that festive red and white candy?

Let's just say I hope you are as excited for peppermint treats because I have a lot of delicious ones to share with you this month. Seriously...a lot. I hope you are ready!!!

Roasted Red Pepper and Garlic Cheese Ball

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED December 3, 2015 · UPDATED January 21, 2022 · 7 Comments

This Roasted Red Pepper and Garlic Cheese Ball is just the appetizer you need for those holiday parties and events coming up. The cheese and veggies rolled in nuts is perfect for cracker and pretzel snacking.

*Love these recipes? Sign up for the BruCrew email and have them delivered to your inbox.

Most days my brain thinks in sugar non-stop. It starts first thing in the morning at the gym. Yes, I think about cookies and cake while doing bench presses and pull-ups. Today I couldn't stop thinking about an this easy candy bar cookie treat that I want to make. I'll keep you posted on that one.

Visions of cake and pie fill my head as I get ready for the day. As I do my work, I see more sugary goodness from my friends, and it gets me inspired to make something from my many lists of sugar coated sugar visions.

Then before I drift off to sleep at night, I start to day dream about brownies and chocolate peppermint fudge. Seriously, this is my life. Hello, my name is Jocelyn, and I'm a dessert freak. Please tell me I'm not alone in this sugar madness. Ok, maybe I am, but I'm cool with it. [Read more...]

Red Velvet Peppermint Cupcakes

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED December 1, 2015 · UPDATED June 9, 2019 · 13 Comments

I am so excited that it is time to share all the peppermint treats. Believe me, I have some delicious ones you need to make. First up are these Red Velvet Peppermint Cupcakes topped with marshmallow PEEPS®.

*I am partnering with PEEPS® this December as part of their "24 Days of Peepsonality" program.

Red Velvet Cupcakes topped with Peppermint frosting and a Red Velvet PEEPS® chick. Perfect holiday party treat!

Christmas is one of my favorite holidays. We look forward to all the lights, smells, and sounds of the season. Every year we pull out our tree the day after Thanksgiving and put on our Santa hats, while we hang our ornaments on the tree.

I have to admit that I am a little picky about where some of those ornaments end up. (There have been a few that I may have moved the next day.)

As the kids are getting older, they are doing such a good job at spacing out the snowmen and snowflakes for me, so there aren't as many that needed "re-arranged" these days.

Glazed Apple Cider Muffins

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED November 13, 2015 · UPDATED June 9, 2021 · 12 Comments

A batch of these Glazed Apple Cider Muffins baking in the oven will make your house smell delicious this fall.

Two times the apple cider makes these an awesome fall breakfast muffin.

One of my favorite things to do in the fall is to head out to the apple orchards. There is something about eating a freshly picked apple out in the fields.

I also love making homemade apple pie filling when we get home. When our kids were younger they loved going with us to the orchard. We would fill a big basket with apples, then head to the stand that sold apple cider. Apple cider from the farm stands is so much better than that gallon jug at the store.

Now that our kids are older, they look at me funny when I mention doing trips like these. In fact, I didn't even mention it this year. Partly because things have been crazy busy here, and partly because I knew the family's answer.

Butterfinger Reese's Fudge

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED November 4, 2015 · UPDATED June 9, 2021 · 11 Comments

Using different candies to jazz up an easy fudge is a great way to use up extra candy. This Butterfinger Reese's Fudge has two different candies in an easy white chocolate fudge. It's the perfect little treat to package up for friends and family for the holidays.

This easy white chocolate fudge is loaded with Butterfinger bars and Reese's Pieces. It's a great holiday treat!

For a while I had set out to make fudge every single month because fudge year round should really be a thing.

Have you noticed that fudge really is more popular in the holiday seasons? Why is that? I mean sweet little bites full of candy and cookies should not be limited. Am I right?

Of course when I was looking back, I realized that I haven't shared a fudge recipe here since this robin egg fudge at Easter. Obviously I'm slacking some this year. To make up for it, I have fudge today and more fudge next week. You need to make both. Trust me!

Cookies and Cream Fudge Tart

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED October 28, 2015 · UPDATED December 18, 2020 · 34 Comments

This Cookies and Cream Fudge Tart is loaded with a creamy cookie filling and decadent chocolate center.

Sometimes life is easy, and we know exactly what is going to happen and how that should go. It's easy to make plans and try to follow them.

Then there are times things happen unexpectedly, and we have no idea why something like that could happen. It's in those moments that we can rely on a wonderful Saviour, and know He has a plan for our lives. We may not understand that plan. It may not make any sense to us, but it all fits perfectly into God's plan. This doesn't always make it easier on us, but it will help us as we deal with the hurt and pain.

Today I am celebrating the life of a wonderful friend. Joan from Chocolate, Chocolate, and More was taken much too soon from this world last week. It was completely unexpected and rocked the food community. [Read more...]

Life is Full of Choices

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED October 9, 2015 · UPDATED July 5, 2018 · 51 Comments

Life is all about choices.

We all are given different opportunities each and every day. Some times those things have very clear answers in what we should do. Then there are times neither way you go is wrong. These are the times I need to watch myself closely.

Over the past 7 years I have been blogging, I have seen my desire and passion change. The first few years were random posts since it was just a hobby.

Then 3 years ago my husband went into full time ministry, and God used this hobby of mine to become a full-time job. It has been fun and exciting to see where and what God has done with my blog.

I love sharing random bits and pieces from our life along with the recipes we eat. As I continued in this job, I started working with brands and slowly all my thoughts and time began to become consumed with this job. This was a job that I finally loved and was good at. I threw myself in to it with all I had hoping to make this blog a happening business. The competitive side of me loves a good challenge. [Read more...]

Butterfinger Cookies and Cream Popcorn

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED September 18, 2015 · UPDATED December 18, 2020 · 20 Comments

Want a fun snack mix to munch on this weekend for movie night? Make a batch of this Butterfinger Cookies and Cream Popcorn and watch it disappear in a hurry.

White chocolate covered popcorn coated in Oreo cookies and Butterfinger candy makes a fun and delicious snack mix.

Any time I'm at home doing laundry or cleaning the house, you can bet that my mind is wandering and thinking about dessert combos. Yes, I'm the weirdo that can't stop thinking about sugar. No wonder my jeans still fit snugly...

If we go out to eat or go shopping, different things I see will make me think of a dessert idea. These ideas get written down in a notebook or on my phone notepad. Trust me...these lists are quite long.

You would think with all these sugar ideas flowing through my head at all times, that I would be able to whip up dessert for a dinner party in no time at all, right?

Peanut Butter Pumpkin Cake

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED September 2, 2015 · UPDATED September 23, 2024 · 39 Comments

This Peanut Butter Pumpkin Cake will quickly become your new favorite fall dessert. The moist cake is topped with a crunchy Butterfinger and brown sugar topping, creating a delicious autumn treat.

A slice of peanut butter pumpkin cake on parchment paper.

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Pumpkin Butterfinger Cake

It may still be warm here in Florida, but I'm ready to wear jeans and sweatshirts. I want to enjoy fall flavors in pumpkin and apple desserts.

You are going to fall head over heels for this pumpkin Butterfinger cake. I took this banana toffee cake from a couple of years ago and gave it a fall facelift. Can we say whoa!

The banana cake is delicious, but the pumpkin cake with a crunchy peanut butter topping is even better! This might be my new favorite pumpkin recipe.

Rocky Road Latte

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED August 12, 2015 · UPDATED December 18, 2020 · 21 Comments

Skip the lines at the coffee shop and make your own special coffee at home for a fraction of the cost. This Rocky Road Latte is an easy and delicious drink to have while enjoying some quiet time.

Chocolate, peanut butter, and marshmallow give this fun Rocky Road Latte a sweet twist.

Do you hear that? That is the sound of nothing. No noise, no voices, no music...just silence. Well, other than the clanking of some pans and silverware in the kitchen from my hubby making breakfast.

Yesterday was the first day of school here. Our kids were ready to go. After a few months of doing nothing but sleeping in and doing chores around the house, they start to get that school itch about halfway through July.

As a work at home mom, I start to get that itch for quiet and routine about the same time. The first few weeks are great. We love the lazy days of randomly doing nothing and making whatever for dinner whenever. But that gets old after a while. I start to crave that routine of gym, school, work, practice, dinner, homework, and bedtime. So hooray for routine being back in place...it definitely makes me happier.

And hooray for making coffee drinks at home and saving money. Because after new school supplies and school clothes, we all need to pinch some pennies somewhere, right?

Salted Caramel Shortbread Squares

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED July 20, 2015 · UPDATED December 18, 2020 · 38 Comments

Adding pretzels and pecans to the center of these Salted Caramel Shortbread Squares gives them a fun sweet and salty crunch. These dessert squares did not last long around here.

Pretzels and pecans in a soft caramel center gives these shortbread squares a fun sweet and salty twist.

Sometimes I get dessert ideas in my head, and I cannot think of anything else until I make said dessert idea.

Most of the time these ideas go on a list. Anyone else have lists everywhere? I have a list of food ideas on my phone, a notebook full of fun dessert ideas, and then scraps of paper all over my desk with half written recipes and ideas all over them. At this rate I have enough ideas to make desserts for at least 10 years.

Then there are those times when the dessert idea I have has to be first on the list of ones to make for the week. These caramel bars were one of those ideas.

Peanut Butter Fudge Poke Cake

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED July 6, 2015 · UPDATED June 11, 2020 · 38 Comments

This easy Peanut Butter Fudge Poke Cake is topped with a creamy marshmallow frosting, peanut butter cups, and mini mallow bits. You will not have any leftovers when you serve this poke cake for dessert.

I have decided that getting older is for the birds. You all know how much I actually enjoy working out, right? My husband and I have been doing strength and conditioning at a local training facility for about a year and a half.

Even though I still do not eat as healthy as I should, I am definitely much stronger and in better shape than I ever have been. Until recently...

You see my knees must have realized how old they were, and that "old" people shouldn't be doing all these workouts and mud runs because all of sudden I have been having issues. Pains and aches and all sorts of dilemmas.

I personally think it was because I told my body it was time to get serious about eating better...aka no more cake.

Cherry Blueberry French Toast Bake

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED July 3, 2015 · UPDATED July 15, 2020 · 15 Comments

Fresh fruit adds a pop of color and flavor to this Cherry Blueberry French Toast Bake. Make sure you buy a few extra boxes or bags of fruit the next time you go shopping, so you can try this delicious breakfast bake.

A white plate on a red towel with a square of cherry blueberry french toast bake on it

Lately we have been all about the fruit. Every time we go grocery shopping, we come home with boxes of blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries.

The other day I saw fresh cherries at the store, so a bag of those ended up in the cart too.

Most of the time I cannot keep the fruit monsters out of the fruit before I can bake with it. Not that I think that's a problem. With all the sugary sweets that come out of our kitchen, I am thankful our kids like to grab fruit instead of cake.

Having fresh fruit available is also great for making fruit parfaits or smoothies when we need a quick breakfast or snack.

Peanut Butter Apple Crisp

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED June 19, 2015 · UPDATED March 3, 2021 · 19 Comments

This Peanut Butter Apple Crisp tastes delicious when served with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. It's the perfect easy skillet dessert that feeds the entire family.

A bowl of apple crisp topped with ice cream and chocolate candies.

During the summer months, we keep a never-ending supply of ice cream in our freezer.

Some days there are boxes of store-bought ice creams stacked in the back, and other days I make a batch of homemade ice cream that I try to hide behind the real food in the freezer.

Along with our ice cream hoarding, we also like to keep bags of apples in our refrigerator all the time. The small individual packages are great for grabbing on the go or for car rides to the lake.

Peach Cinnamon Roll Cups

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED June 17, 2015 · UPDATED December 18, 2020 · 27 Comments

Sometimes you need an easy breakfast that everyone will enjoy without taking all morning to prepare it. These little Peach Cinnamon Roll Cups come together in no time at all. You are only two-ingredients away from having them on your table.

We had to crack down on our kiddos. The sleeping in was getting pretty ridiculous. No one should be in bad until 11 am, unless they are sick or injured. Am I right?

A month of doing nothing is a good amount of time for kids to relax after working hard all school year. At least, that's what we are going with. Now they officially have a wake up time, cleanliness routine, daily chore list, and Bible study to do. If this is done each day, they will be allowed an hour of electronics. We are so tired of hearing them ask all.day.long if they can be on some sort of TV or game unit or phone when nothing else is getting done.

Any guess on how day one went? [Read more...]

Salted Caramel Ice Cream Cake

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED June 12, 2015 · UPDATED July 24, 2026 · 34 Comments

This Caramel Ice Cream Cake has a crunchy brownie brittle crust, a layer of salted caramel ice cream, and a layer of coffee ice cream on top. Finished with Cool Whip swirls and caramel drizzles, it is the most stunning and delicious no bake summer dessert.

A slice of salted caramel ice cream cake on a white plate.

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When my kids were little, I used to hide the ice cream behind the green beans and broccoli in the freezer so they wouldn't find it. Despite my best efforts, those little ice cream monsters always found it!

These days I don't really have to hide anything, but I can't help but chuckle whenever I make ice cream and think about it. This week it has been hot, and I was in the mood for something salted caramel. And since coffee is one of my all-time favorite flavors, I used both in an ice cream cake.

I added a crunchy brownie brittle crust to the ice cream layers and topped it with whipped topping and caramel. This easy ice cream cake looks like something from Dairy Queen, but it's quite simple to make at home for special occasions.

Why You'll Love This Salted Caramel Ice Cream Cake

No baking! This dessert is perfect for hot summer days when turning on the oven is absolutely not happening.
A brownie brittle crust. Sweet, salty, and the most incredible crunchy base for the creamy layers. It is so much better than a regular Oreo crust.
Two ice cream flavors. The combination of caramel and coffee will remind you of a caramel frappuccino.
Great for parties! The cake needs to freeze overnight, so it is the perfect dessert to make a day or two before a party or event.
Looks impressive with very little effort. Store-bought ice cream layers, Cool Whip swirls, and a caramel drizzle on top make this cake look fancy. Nobody will believe you made it yourself.

Gooey Butterfinger Brownie Bars

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED May 29, 2015 · UPDATED January 27, 2021 · 25 Comments

Adding chocolate and candy bars to gooey brownies always makes a decadent treat worth sharing. These Gooey Butterfinger Brownie Bars are rich, delicious, and totally worth cheating on that summer diet.

Any time we go for ice cream with the kids, I can guarantee that our daughter will come back to the table with chocolate and Butterfinger in her bowl. She has gotten that combo for years now, so it is safe to say it is her favorite!

Although, recently she has been adding mint chips to her vanilla milkshakes, so that combo might slowly be taking over the favorite spot.

We went out to eat the other day, and the kids got coupons for ice cream with their kids meals. Right away my daughter announced that she was getting mint chips on her ice cream, but when dinner was over what do you think she came back with? Chocolate ice cream with Butterfinger sprinkled all over the top!

She is definitely a creature of habit when it comes to her ice cream, so I knew when I made these brownies, that she would go bonkers for them. [Read more...]

Blueberry Cream Coffee Cake

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED May 7, 2015 · UPDATED June 7, 2021 · 42 Comments

Do you need a delicious coffee cake to share with your mom on Mother's Day? This Blueberry Cream Coffee Cake has four layers of goodness that goes so well with a cup of coffee.

Blueberry, cheesecake, and crumble make this a breakfast coffee cake that everyone will enjoy!

Our children might be becoming breakfast snobs over here. Apparently I have been making too many things with chocolate for breakfast because this cake got the evil eye from a few of them. They kept asking where the chocolate cinnamon rolls were?

I think that just means more cake for me. And when that cake is a coffee cake, it becomes fair game for breakfast time. There is something so comforting about a slice of coffee cake and a big steamy mug of coffee in the morning.

Raspberry Chocolate Chip Pull Apart Coffee Cake

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED April 22, 2015 · UPDATED September 26, 2020 · 58 Comments

This Raspberry Chocolate Chip Pull Apart Coffee Cake is a delicious treat to serve for Mother's Day breakfast or brunch.

Want to know something funny about me? I have become my mother. Oh, that's not the funny part. I realize all of us eventually resemble our parents in looks or actions. Let me tell you what my husband thinks is so funny about this.

I grew up with my mom checking our appliances and lights at least 10-15 times before leaving the house. More specifically, the iron was the one appliance that she would worry about the most. Sometimes she would pull back in the driveway, just so one of us could go in and check again. I always thought this was kind of funny.

Until my husband pointed out recently that I go through the house and pull plugs on appliances before we go away for a trip. A few months ago we went on vacation for a week. When we got home, my husband wanted a cup of coffee for breakfast. He turned the coffee maker on and walked away while it warmed up.

When he came back, he realized that it wasn't even plugged in. Believe me, I heard about that one for days!

Blackberry Yogurt Muffins

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED April 8, 2015 · UPDATED June 4, 2021 · 40 Comments

Starting out the morning with a healthy breakfast is important. These Blackberry Yogurt Muffins are light and fluffy and full of fruit goodness. Perfect for grabbing on the go on busy mornings.

These light and fluffy blackberry muffins are a little bit healthier when made with yogurt. Great for breakfast on the go.

One of my favorite memories from when I was little is going berry picking. Every spring and summer we would pick strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. Of course as a kid, the best part was stuffing as many of those ripe juicy berries into your mouth instead of putting them in the bucket.

When I was really little we lived in a house in a small neighborhood in the woods. Along the road in the front of the house were tons of wild blackberry and raspberry bushes. It was always so much fun to hike up the hills along the road and try to find those berries. I'm sure my mom was hoping we would come back with enough for a pie, but somehow those berries always disappeared first.

BruCrew Goes Carnival Cruising

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED March 31, 2015 · UPDATED July 5, 2018 · 19 Comments

Last month our family went on vacation. Ok, it really has been almost two months because I have been slow to get these pictures edited and shared. I hope you are ready for picture overload.

The school that our kids go to has a week off in February for conferences that the church holds there. Since it is always frigid and snowy that time of year here in the midwest, we like to take that opportunity to go on vacation as a family.

And when it is cold, warm tropical places are the best place to be. If you are looking for an affordable vacation for your family. I highly suggest looking into a cruise. There are so many out there that offer great prices and lots of activities. We have used the Carnival cruise line the past few times because if you book on one of their older ships, you can have 5 in a stateroom. Yes, it is a tight fit with teenagers, but it is totally doable. Believe me, there is so much to do and see that you only use your room for showering and sleeping.

What is there to do? Well, the first day is pretty much spent exploring the ship and seeing where everything is. We like to scope out the best places to grab a chair for those sea days. Of course, that is what everyone else is doing too, so good luck when it actually comes time to getting one.

This year we had the brilliant idea to wear matching shirts one of the days. Ok, so they weren't completely matchy matchy...we did a super hero theme day. So before the trip I was looking everywhere for different super hero shirts for everyone. The boys were pretty easy to find, but girly super hero shirts are not as common. We also did a Star Wars shirt day, but I totally forgot to get a picture of those! Bummer! [Read more...]

Peanut Butter Cookies and Cream Granola Bars

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED March 30, 2015 · UPDATED June 9, 2021 · 33 Comments

These no bake Peanut Butter Cookies and Cream Granola Bars have been kid-approved in our house. Peanut butter, chocolate cookies, and candy make these homemade granola bars taste so good.

Three peanut butter cookies and cream granola bars stacked on a white plate

Over the years we have gone through boxes and boxes of granola bars. My kids love packing them in their lunch boxes, eating them after school, or having one as a bed time snack. With three growing kids you can see how we would end up going through quite a few granola bars.

Fast forward a few years, and I realized that I could make my own granola bars customized with what my kids like to eat. We love coming up with fun new combos every time we make a new batch.

Mint S'mores Brownies

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED March 9, 2015 · UPDATED February 28, 2022 · 34 Comments

Three times the mint candies and cookies and marshmallows make these Mint S'mores Brownies a dream come true for chocolate and mint lovers.

Our poor puppy dog is getting old. Lately she has been having trouble getting up when she is lying down, and she gets tired out very fast when playing ball.

But the other day, my husband dropped a piece of chicken on the kitchen floor. Let's just say our dog made it into the kitchen faster than I have seen her move lately. We were all laughing at how motivated she was to get into the kitchen for that piece of chicken. [Read more...]

BruCrew Top Ten

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED February 28, 2015 · UPDATED June 9, 2021 · 21 Comments

You guys! Can you believe it has been 4 months since I have done a Top Ten post? The last one was right before the holidays, and then I just never got back to it. I have been a huge slacker on sharing randomness with you guys, and I kind of miss it. So my goal is to do one a month.

1. I want you to meet my new baking assistant, Ruby! Isn't she beautiful? I finally convinced my hubby that our new white tile backsplash needed a red KitchenAid for some fun kitchen color. One thing that I have learned with having a colored mixer is that you see all the flour you spill right away. Ruby gets cleaned many times a day since I like to bake like a crazy person.

French Toast Roll Ups With Lemon Curd

By Jocelyn · PUBLISHED February 18, 2015 · UPDATED April 8, 2019 · 40 Comments

Lemon and cheesecake inside a crispy French toast roll is a delicious way to change up breakfast. These Lemon French Toast Roll Ups are easy to make, but they look so fancy and pretty. Perfect for any brunch or breakfast parties you may be hosting.

Lemon cheesecake inside a crispy french toast roll is a delicious breakfast choice!

One of my favorite breakfast meals is French toast, but I do not make it that often. I think that needs to change. Warm toasty bread drizzled with syrup should be a part of our breakfasts more often.

Well, maybe part of our breakfast for dinner, since I'm not really a morning person. Something tells me frying bread in the early morning hours might result in someone getting hurt or breakfast being burned. Or both.

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