Blog - Inside BruCrew Life

Congo Bars

Looking for a soft and chewy cookie bar to make for dessert? These Congo Bars are loaded with chocolate and are easy to make with one bowl and one pan. The buttery chocolate chip cookie bars will disappear before you can even blink.

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All through high school I made these chewy chocolate chip cookie bars of deliciousness for every youth group event that needed food. It was must my sure fire recipe that never failed me and was always asked for.

Every time I showed up with a pan, these cookie bars got devoured in no time at all. Then I went to college, got married, had kids, and forgot about those chocolate chip cookie bars.

Recently I was going through a box of old recipes I had kept, and I found my recipe card for these congo bars. Of course, we had to make them right away.

Why Make These Bars

Now you may think they are just a blonde brownie, so what is the big deal? I can't explain it. These classic cookie bars just have a slightly different taste than M&M blondies.

Each bar is soft and chewy and loaded with chocolate in every bite. Plus, they are easy to make with just one mixing bowl.

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Fall Fashion Finds

One thing that you may not know about me is that I love to shop. In fact, I think I love shopping as much as I love baking. Today I thought it would be fun to share a few of my fall fashion finds and how I like to wear them.

I know that not everyone enjoys going to stores, trying on clothes, and finding the right pieces, but I love the thrill of the hunt to find just the right outfit. It's all about looking for just the right accessories and shoes to go with those outfits.

This fall I picked up a few new pieces to incorporate with the rest of my clothes. My tip for adding a few things to your wardrobe is to watch for sales and try to get things that you can wear a couple different ways or that work with what you already have.

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Pumpkin Cheesecake Pecan Pie

You can't have Thanksgiving without a pecan pie. Impress your guests this year with all the flavors of fall in one delicious Pumpkin Cheesecake Pecan Pie. This gooey cheesecake pie will be the star of your holiday dessert table.

Love pumpkin and cheesecake? You need to try the best pumpkin cheesecake and this Oreo pumpkin cheesecake.

A slice of pecan pie cheesecake topped with Cool Whip and a pecan on a black plate.

If you are hosting Thanksgiving dinner and want to impress your guests with a delicious dessert, this cheesecake pie recipe is what you need.

A few years ago we made a pecan pie cheesecake that has become one of our favorite go-to desserts. After serving it to friends, one of them suggested we try it with a pumpkin cheesecake layer. I couldn't get the idea out of my head, so I made it the very next day. And wow! Was it ever good!

This pecan pie pumpkin cheesecake is the perfect twist on two classic desserts. It has the gooey goodness of a traditional pecan pie but with an added creamy, rich pumpkin cheesecake layer. You won't be able to resist this holiday treat!

Why You Will Love This Cheesecake Pie

There are so many reasons why you should make this pie recipe for your next family dinner or holiday party. First off, it only takes 20 minutes to put together and can be made ahead of time, if needed.

Second, it looks absolutely stunning when served for dessert and will definitely impress your guests. And finally, your friends and family will love this pumpkin cheesecake pie so much that they will be asking for seconds.

Trust me and make two pies! You won't have any leftovers once people taste how good this pecan pie cheesecake recipe is.

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Sausage Kale Soup

This hearty Sausage Kale Soup is ready to eat in less than 30 minutes. Loaded with sausage, cauliflower, and greens this low carb soup is a one pot meal that is perfect for busy weeknights.

Two bowls filled with creamy kale soup and topped with cheese and onions.

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A hearty bowl of soup is the perfect solution on a cold day. As soon as the weather dips below 75°, we love to make pots of soup for dinner.

Some of our favorites are this broccoli cheese soup and this creamy tomato soup. Served up with some homemade garlic bread and you have a winner! The down side to those delicious soup recipes is that they have extra carbs and calories. Those don't fit in with my healthy eating right now.

With a creamy broth and lots of sausage and greens, this keto kale soup is my new favorite dinner. It will keep you on track with your health goals.

Why Make This Low Carb Soup

Looking to cut carbs but still want to enjoy a creamy bowl of soup for dinner? This low carb sausage kale soup is the recipe you need. It's a healthier and lighter version of Olive Garden's zuppa toscana.

Great one pot soup recipe that is hearty and flavorful.
Easy soup recipe to make in under 30 minutes.
Using cauliflower in place of potatoes keeps it lower in carbs.
Freezer friendly so you can make extra for a later meal.

Once you taste how refreshing and delicious this brothy soup is, you will want to make it every week. Keep leftovers in the fridge for an easy lunch. Or freeze a batch so you can have dinner ready quickly on busy days.

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Peanut Butter Butterfinger Pie

The creamy and crunchy layers in this Peanut Butter Butterfinger Pie will have you going back for more. It is a decadent and easy dessert to make for the holidays.

I still can't believe that the year is almost over. Although the heat and humidity here make it feel like it should still be the middle of summer.

With all the school, church, and work activities, it definitely doesn't feel like the lazy days of summer though. Some days it is more difficult to balance homework, soccer practice, church activities, and dinner, but we are managing just fine.

Thankfully our kids are now old enough to help with house work and dinner prep. Planning ahead and knowing just what we are going to have each night of the week helps too. My husband is good at coming up with our meal list and letting me know what is for dinner.

I am so glad he loves to cook dinner more than I do. Although recently I have been making more of our lean and green meals around here. Maybe the tide has changed... [Read more...]

Stuffing Muffins

Stuffing Muffins are a fun way to change up the traditional Thanksgiving side dish. Baking a stuffing recipe in muffin tins is a delicious way to serve it at your holiday dinners.

Now that the sugar rush of Halloween is behind us, it is time to look forward to the holidays. Do you realize that Thanksgiving is next week?

We only have a few days to finalize our dinner menus and plan all the food.

Basically from now until the new year, it is going to be a food fest with all the parties and events that will happen.

I better pace myself each day because I want to be able to enjoy every bite of apple crisp pie and this pumpkin cobbler.

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Pork Cooking Temperatures: How to Cook Pork Safely

Did you notice that the recommended cooking temperature for pork has changed over the last few years? Learn about the proper pork cooking temperature and get my favorite tips for cooking pork safely every time!

I have partnered with the National Pork Board to bring you this information. Graphics were provided by pork.org. As always, thoughts and opinions are my own.

A graphic showing the correct pork cooking temperatures.

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For decades, people were told pork temperatures needed to be well done to be safe. Generations of people have grown up eating overdone and dried-out pork dinners. Fortunately, things have changed recently, and I'm excited to share with you what the safe pork temperature is now and how to enjoy those cuts of pork for dinner.

Recommended Pork Cooking Temperatures

Until a few years ago, the recommended cooked pork temperature for ALL cuts of pork was 160°. Now, thanks to biosecurity and vastly improved animal health, whole cuts of pork are safe to eat at a lower temperature.

So say goodbye to dried-out, overcooked pork dinners! It's official. You can (and should) cook your pure cuts of pork to 145°, NOT until the juices run clear! Remember, the cooking temperature for ground pork is still 160°!

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Chocolate Covered Pretzels in a Turkey Jar

Bright colored fall sprinkles and chocolate covered pretzels make the perfect tail feathers for this Pretzel Turkey Jar. This fun no bake treat will be the cutest edible centerpiece for your Thanksgiving dessert table.

A clear jar decorated to look like a turkey filled with chocolate covered pretzels and candies.

Ok, guys I have the easiest and cutest treat to share with you. You just have to make a pretzel turkey for your Thanksgiving Day tables this year!

Yes, I'm sure you are already on top of things and have your turkey day menu already planned out with things like easy corn casserole, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, southern sweet potato souffle, and rolls.

But trust me, you need to add this fun and edible Thanksgiving craft to your plans too. Ok, maybe add two things to your plans because these small chocolate turkeys would be so cute on the table too!

The Cutest Pretzel Turkey

Everyone will be so impressed by your creativity when they see the turkey centerpiece on your dinner table. No one has to know just how easy it is to make.

Want to give it as a gift? Wrap the turkey jar with chocolate covered pretzels in a large plastic gift bag with a bow. Cute Thanksgiving pretzels are sure to make anyone smile this holiday season.

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Sweet and Sour Crockpot Chicken

A big bowl of this Sweet and Sour Crockpot Chicken and rice is a delicious and easy meal to have on your dinner table.

Two white bowls filled with rice and sweet and sour chicken

I have to be very careful about accepting any candy from my kids because those little stinkers have become very sneaky about trying to slip me some sour treats.

They know that I don't like sour candy AT ALL! It makes me cringe just thinking about things like pucker powder, war heads, or sour gummies.

The bad thing is that all three of our kids know this, so they think it is absolutely hilarious to try to trick me into eating something very sour.

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Behind BruCrew Life

We have been keeping busy here the past few months with work, school, and fun. Here are a few of the highlights and some fun products that I have found.

Last week we had some friends visit us from Indiana. Ok, ok, so they came to visit Florida, but they got to see us too.

Their daughter is our daughter's best friend, so we took the girls out on the paddle boards and kayak last weekend.

Once you figure out the balance on the middle of the board, the paddle boards are quite easy. Well, unless it's a pretty windy day. Then it's a little more work to get back. [Read more...]

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