The Best 4th of July Dessert

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Happy Birthday, America!! Well, tomorrow anyway. Today I'm at work doing the 8 - 5 while C is at home celebrating a four-day weekend. Life is unfair. However, as soon as the workday comes to a close, we're hopping in the car with the pups and heading to the land of milk and honey: Stillwater, Okla. My in-laws live in my sweet little college town and we're crashing their pool for the holiday (aka crashing their pantry and liquor cabinet, too).

Today, though, my office is throwing a little 3rd of July BBQ potluck for those of us who are at work. I nominated myself to bring my favorite summer dessert, Blueberry Crunch. I've been making this dump cake every year for the 4th since I was a pre-teen - it's just not Independence Day without it! Maybe it should be called Red White and BLUEberry Dessert?

If you're looking for something quick, cheap and delicious to throw together before tomorrow's festivities, this is it! It's literally the easiest thing ever to make - you just open some cans and boxes, melt some butter, and layer it all up in a 9 x 13. Easy peasy! It's delicious served with vanilla ice-cream or topped with whipped cream.....or for by itself for breakfast, whatever! It's just as good chilled and leftover as it is warm, if not better!

Blueberry Crunch
Ingredients

• 20 oz can crushed pineapple
• 2-3 cups blueberry pie filling
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 yellow cake mix
• 1 1/2 sticks butter
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Directions
Preheat oven to 350. In a 9x13, spread pineapple and blueberry pie filling. Sprinkle 3/4 cups of sugar over top evenly. Then, add in layers: dry cake mix, melted butter, pecans, 1/4 cup sugar. Bake at 350 for 35 - 40 minutes or until cake mix is a light golden brown.

As you all know, I normally try to stick to a relatively healthy diet.......and this dish is anything but healthy. However, part of being healthy is knowing how to balance. I've been that person who takes it to another level, all or nothing, and I ended up going crazy. Being overly strict for too long leads to 1) not enjoying life anymore and 2) going overboard and bingeing/eating everything in sight -- neither of which are healthy! That being said, I plan to enjoy one large serving of Blueberry Crunch today for the sake of a healthy mind and get back on the healthy body train shortly thereafter. Indulging every now and then is not going to derail your progress, and sometimes you gotta keep your brain in-tact before you can keep your tummy in-check. Ya feel me?

If you make Blueberry Crunch, you'll have to let me know how it turns out! It's equally as delicious if you use cherry pie filling in place of the blueberry + pineapple mixture....just saying!

Do you have any favorite recipes for the 4th? I'd love to hear! Stay safe tomorrow and enjoy the Party in the USA!

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