Crockpot Chorizo Hashbrown Casserole

Chorizo has become one of my favorite pork products over the last several years. I love its bold, slightly spicy flavor and how it turns simple ingredients into something crave‑worthy. This Crockpot Chorizo Hashbrown Casserole is a perfect example — comforting, flavorful, and flexible enough for breakfast, brunch, or even taco night.

Spring Brunch with Celebrate 365

Mother's Day is in two weeks and what better way to celebrate Mom than by making her a nice, homecooked brunch.  So to help you do just that, I have partnered with my Celebrate 365 co-hosts (Carlee from Cooking with Carlee, Jan of The Tip Garden and Nicole of Tales of a Kansas Farm Mom) to host a Spring Brunch Blog Party!

Strawberry Lemonade Muffins

*This post has been sponsored by Nielsen-Massey Flavors.  
All views and opinions shared are my own.*

No matter what it looks like outside, these Strawberry Lemonade Muffins will bring some sunshine to your day.  They're light, fluffy and full of flavor.

I don't know if it is because Easter is a week away, or if it is because we've been having spring weather (up til today where we've had over a foot of snow fall!), but I have been craving lemon lately.  Something about lemon just brightens your day and your taste-buds!  So, when I received a bottle of Nielsen-Massey's Lemon Extract I knew I wanted to make something to brighten the start of my family's day, and I decided these Strawberry Lemonade Muffins would be perfect for breakfast or brunch.

The muffins are light and fully and have everything I'm looking for from strawberry lemonade - the natural sweetness from the strawberries and the zest from the lemon.  This was my first time using lemon extract and I found it very easy and convenient.

When using Nielsen-Massey's Pure Lemon Extract in a recipe:

• 1/2 tsp of Lemon Extract equals 1 Tbsp of Fresh Lemon Juice
• 1 tsp of Lemon Extract equals 1 tsp of Lemon Zest  

This will be a great pantry staple to keep on hand in my kitchen to be able to add a splash of citrus to both sweet and savory recipes.

Strawberry Lemonade Muffins

3/4 cup Butter, softened

1 1/2 cups Sugar

1 Tbsp Nielsen-Massey Pure Lemon Extract

3 Eggs

3 cups Flour

1 Tbsp Baking Powder

1/2 tsp Salt

1 cup Milk

1 1/2 cups Strawberries, chopped

Beat together the butter and sugar on medium speed using your stand or hand mixer until fully incorporated and fluffy.  Mix in the lemon extract.  Add the eggs and beat until combined.

Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.  Alternating with the milk, add the dry ingredients and milk to the batter, until just incorporated.  Stir in strawberries.

Bake muffins at 350° F for 14 minutes.  Let muffins cool in pan for a couple minutes before moving them to a wire rack to finish cooling.  Makes 2 dozen muffins.

So now it is your turn to make a batch!  What's your favorite spring flavor?  Be sure to register for my Nielsen-Massey Pure Lemon Extract giveaway and as always, Comments for a Cause!

Also, if you're craving lemons as much as I am, here are a few other great recipes to check out:

• Easy Lemon Pie
• 3 Ingredient Strawberry Lemonade Sorbet
• Homemade Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles

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How to plan Mother's Day Brunch

Mother's Day is in one week and I don't know what it is about the holiday, but it makes me hungry for brunch!  Maybe it's memories of my sisters and I making breakfast in bed for my Mom, or the fact that Mother's Day is on a Sunday.  But it just feels like the perfect fit to indulge in some eggs, pastries and something a little extra to celebrate.  Check out some of my favorite brunch recipes to help you plan and host your Mother's Day Brunch!

Eggs - A brunch isn't complete without an egg dish or two!

Ham & Cheese Omelette Roll - Corn, Beans, Pigs and Kids

If you're entertaining for Mother's Day Brunch then this egg dish should be on the top of your list.  It's creative, eye catching and delicious!

(photo courtesy of The Pork Diaries)

Biscuits & Gravy Casserole - The Pork Diaries

This egg casserole has everything you'd ever want in one bite - biscuit, sausage, egg, and cheese!  Top that with gravy and you'll be scooting your fork all across your plate to make sure you get every bite of this "liquid gold" as my friend Alicia calls it.

Farmers Market Quiche - Corn, Beans, Pigs & Kids

How about another eye appealing egg dish that will be sure to impress at brunch?  I love the creamy and rich flavor of this quiche and the bacon lattice brings it up a notch!

(photo courtesy of Learning As I Go)

Pepper Jack Egg Bake - Learning As I Go

Are you a hashbrown or bread egg bake person?  Well, if you are a hashbrown egg bake person like me you're going to love my friend Katy's Pepper Jack Egg Bake filled with hashbrowns, eggs, ham, bacon and pepper jack cheese!

Green Chili Egg Bake - Corn, Beans, Pigs & Kids

This cheesy, buttery egg bake is a family favorite of ours.  And I love the unique flavor it has from the green chilies and cottage cheese!

Pastries - Pastries are the perfect appetizer and dessert for brunch so you better make more than one!

Easy Pecan Sticky Buns - Corn, Beans, Pigs & Kids

I love how simply these sticky buns come together.  And these will be sure to cover your sweet tooth for brunch, especially with ice cream as one of the ingredients!

(photo courtesy of Food & Swine)

Champion Cinnamon Rolls - Food & Swine

There is something special about cinnamon rolls.  Maybe it's the knowledge of how much time goes into making them, or the memories tied to cinnamon rolls.  No matter the case, my friend Cristen's is sure to be a treat.  Afterall, they are award winning, so have a blue ribbon brunch with these on your table!

Six Week Muffins - Corn, Beans, Pigs & Kids

These bran muffins are a tried and true favorite of our family.  They are a hearty muffin with a slightly sweet flavor.  For brunch they would be perfect to make as mini-muffins.

(photo courtesy of Cooking with Carlee)

Strawberries and Cream Skillet Roll - Cooking with Carlee

This sweet treat would be perfect if you're hosting brunch for Mother's Day.  My friend Carlee says this is a combination of a sweet roll and strawberry cheesecake.

(photo courtesy of Ally's Sweet and Savory Eats)

Double Chocolate Banana Muffins - Ally's Sweet and Savory Eats

Mom deserves a little chocolate, right?  Then you better add my friend Ally's Double Chocolate Banana Muffins to your Mother's Day Brunch Menu!  I love the flavor combination of chocolate and banana, and what makes these even better - they are simple to make!  This would be a great opportunity to get in the kids in the kitchen to help make brunch for their favorite lady.

Something a Little Extra - Every Mother's Day Brunch needs that little something extra - afterall, we're celebrating Mom!

4 Ingredient Sunrise Smoothie - Corn, Beans, Pigs & Kids

Brunch is a great time to make something a little extra special to drink.  This Sunrise Smoothie is a hit for all ages and only has 4 ingredients so it is super simple to make!

(photo courtesy of Family Around the Table)

Hash Brown Potato Pie - Family Around the Table

This hash brown potato pie has simple flavors and ingredients, but yet is everything you want to go along with your brunch.  I also love how this recipe has a special connection to my friend Ellen and her Mom!

(photo courtesy of Prairie Californian)

Onion Tart - Prairie Californian

This onion tart is pretty much a french onion soup in a pie crust - sounds perfect to me!  I love how my friend Jenny got inspired to create this unique recipe after meeting an onion farmer.  This post not only gives you a delicious recipe, but an inside look at an onion farm!  How cool is that! 

(photo courtesy of Cooking Up Cottage)

Baked French Toast - Cooking Up Cottage

Mother's Day Brunch is a great excuse to indulge and have that something a little extra and my friend Lisa's Baked French Toast fits the bill!  It is simple to make and you can throw it in the oven while you're working on getting other things ready for your company.

(photo courtesy of The Tip Garden)

Cherry Breakfast Cobbler - The Tip Garden

I love how this cobbler uses simple ingredients, yet looks like something that you slaved over.  My friend Jan always comes up with great recipes and I love her story that goes along with it!

So what are you going to choose for your Mother's Day Brunch?  It is going to be a hard choice but I hope I helped you come up with some ideas.  Remember to Comment for a Cause!