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Recipes

Super Cute Rudolph Truffles for Christmas

by Dana Zeliff on November 7, 20132013-11-07
in Recipes

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

Rudolph Truffles Recipe

How cute are these Rudolph Truffles?  You don’t need a lot of ingredients, so these treats will be easy on your budget.  I think they would be perfect to take to a child’s school Holiday party.

Rudolph Truffles Ingredients

INGREDIENTS

12 Chocolate Truffles
1/4 cup Light Cocoa Candy Melts
24 Candy eyes
12 Red Round candy Decorations
12 Pretzels broken in half

DIRECTIONS

  1. Using a toothpick, poke holes on each side for Pretzel antlers.
  2. Heat Candy Chips in large bowl by microwaving for 30 seconds stirring and repeating until melted.
  3. If Truffles are not flat on bottom, dip bottom of truffle in chocolate and place on wax paper.
  4. Allow to set.Rudolph Truffles Step
  5. Using toothpick, gather up small bit of melted chocolate and paint on back of red “nose” and place on truffle. You may need to hold in place for a moment.
  6. Repeat this process with each eye.
  7. Allow chocolate to set.

That’s it. Enjoy!

Looking for more recipes? How about my White Chocolate & Cranberry Blondies Recipe!

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Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: Christmas

White Chocolate Cranberry Blondies Recipe

by Dana Zeliff on November 6, 20132013-11-06
in Cranberry, Recipes

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

White Chocolate & Cranberry Blondies Recipe
{Pin It}

My husband LOVES white chocolate. Seriously, he thinks it should be it’s own food group. If you’re looking for a new (and delicious) dessert recipe, give this White Chocolate Cranberry Blondies Recipe a try!

cranberry blondies ingredients

White Chocolate Cranberry Blondies Recipe:

INGREDIENTS

3/4 cup softened Butter
1 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
3 tsp Vanilla
1 Egg
1 1/2 cup Flour
1 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
1 cup Dried Cranberries
1 cup White Chocolate Morsels

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 350.
  2. Line a medium pan with parchment paper.
  3. Soak cranberries in bowl with hot water for 3 minutes.
  4. Drain water from cranberries.
  5. Cream butter and brown sugar.
  6. Add vanilla and eggs.
  7. Mix flour, baking powder and salt.
  8. Combine dry ingredient mixture into wet ingredient mixture.
  9. Add cranberries and white chocolate morsels.
  10. Turn out mixture into the pan and press evenly.
  11. Bake 20 minutes until the top is a lightly browned.
  12. Cool for 30 minutes and cut into squares.

Share your thoughts on this White Chocolate Cranberry Blondies Recipe

Looking for more recipes? How about my Cranberry Pound Cake or White Sangria Recipes?

4 comments

Filed Under: Cranberry, Recipes Tagged With: Christmas

Fall Favorite: Candy Corn Cookies Recipe

by Dana Zeliff on October 28, 20132013-10-28
in Candy Corn, Recipes

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

Candy Corn Cookies Recipe

I posted this picture to my Facebook wall on Saturday – I was baking cookies for a party at my twin sister’s house later that evening and these were the requested treat. I only make them in the Fall, and we just dream about them during the rest of the year.

While they are a little bit time intensive, they are SO worth every minute spent in the kitchen. They taste as cute at they look! I usually make a double batch. This year I am bringing some to our little family Halloween party on Thursday, too 🙂

Candy Corn Cookies Recipe

Ingredients
3/4 pound salted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
Almond bark or candy quick
Yellow and red food coloring

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Mix together the butter and granulated and powdered sugar until they are just combined. Add the vanilla. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cornstarch and salt, then add them to the butter-and-sugar mixture. Mix on low speed until the dough starts to come together.

3. Separate the dough into three equal sized balls. Carefully add food coloring to make one ball yellow and one ball orange.

4. Then, line a loaf pan with plastic wrap. Press the yellow ball of dough into the bottom, making it about 1/2″-3/4″ thick. It may not fill the entire bottom of the pan, thats OK. Then, layer the orange ball of dough over the yellow one, pressing it flat. Finally, layer the white ball on top. Press it in firmly to avoid air pockets.

5. Put the pan in the freezer for 15 minutes to cool down.

6. When the dough is firm, dump the tri-colored block onto a cutting board and use a knife to cut it into 1/4″ slices. Then, cut the slices into triangles. I find that I can get five “candy corns” out of each slice. There will be wonky shaped candy corns, and a few that will fall apart, but bake them up anyways. They still taste great!

Cutting-Candy-CornsPhoto courtesy of Our Best Bites

7. Place the triangle cookies on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. I watch my cookies VERY carefully, so the white/yellow tips don’t start to brown. Nobody likes burned candy corn! Allow to cool to room temperature.

8. While the cookies are cooling, melt almond bark in a microwave safe bowl. Start by using 30 second increments and checking each time, you don’t want it to overheat.

9. Dip the white end of the cookies into the melted candy quick. I stand my cookies very carefully in a wire baking rack, with the dipped end pointing up until they are set (like the picture at the top), usually about 15-20 minutes. (Some will have white tips, like real candy corn, and some will have white bases – its just how they come out. Honestly, the white base means more candy quick, so they usually get eaten first)

10. The last direction is this: DO NOT EAT THEM ALL AT ONCE! They are that good. Especially with coffee 😀

You can use any shortbread cookie recipe you want – I use a modified version of Ina Garten’s Shortbread Cookies:

Like I mentioned, they are a little labor intensive, but so worth the results. You can also refrigerate the dough for up to a week, so you could mix up a batch and press it into the pan one evening, and then cut/bake/dip your cookies on another night.

Happy Fall & enjoy this Candy Corn Cookies Recipe!

You might also like this Thrifty Thanksgiving Candy Corn Ornament

2 comments

Filed Under: Candy Corn, Recipes Tagged With: Halloween

15 Mouth-Watering Muffin Recipes

by Dana Zeliff on October 21, 20132013-10-21
in Recipes

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

15 muffind recipes

Muffin recipes are generally easy to make and they are perfect for on the go. One batch can last you all week if you need a fast breakfast each morning. They also make great snacks, and are the perfect size for little ones! I have compiled 15 mouth-watering muffin recipes from around the web that look too good not to try!

1. Blueberry Poppy Seed Muffins from Vegan Mother Hubbard
2. Eggnog Cranberry Muffins from Crumbs and Chaos
3. Raspberry Cream Cheese Muffins from Juggling Act Mama
4. Strawberry Lemonade Muffins from Stockpiling Moms
5. Bailey’s Irish Cream Chocolate Chip Muffins from Couponing & Cooking
6. Donut Mini-Muffins from Coupon Closet
7. Apple Cinnamon Whole Wheat Muffins from Farmer’s Wife Rambles
8. Strawberry Nutella Muffins from Crumbs and Chaos
9. Chocolate Chip Muffins from Stockpiling Moms
10. Sweet Potato Muffins with Streusel Topping from Juggling Act Mama
11. Berry Berry Citrus Muffins from Vegan Mother Hubbard
12. Sweet and Simple Cornbread Muffins from Modern Mommyhood
13. Banana Muffins with Toasted Coconut from Kelly Stillwell
14. Super Easy Pumpkin Muffins from Thrifty Jinxy
15. Oatmeal Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Muffins from Slap Dash Mom

Blueberry Spelt Muffin Recipe

If 15 recipes aren’t enough, take a look at my Easy (& Healthy) Blueberry Muffin Recipe with Spelt Flour!

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Filed Under: Recipes

Budget – Friendly Sausage with Zucchini and Mushroom Recipe

by Dana Zeliff on October 3, 20132013-10-03
in Recipes

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

Sausage with Zucchini and Mushrooms Recipe :: PIN IT::

This has been a family favorite for many, many years.  We enjoy this meal no only because it tastes great, but it’s easy on the budget.

I either use beef sausage (like the Hillshire Farm Smoked sausage) or turkey sausage.  It really depends on what has been on sale.  Hubby prefers the beef.  He says it adds more flavor, but I like turkey for the reduced fat.

Ingredients:

1 rope sausage, sliced
1 large Zucchini, cut into half moons (or 2 small)
1 package Mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
1 14 oz can of diced tomatoes (I use basil and oregano flavored)
1 onion, chopped
1-2 cloves garlic. minced

*If using plain diced tomatoes or fresh: add basil and garlic for seasoning (or whatever you have on hand)
*Add an extra can if you want more sauce

Directions:

  1. Lightly brown sausage in a large pan for about 5 minutes.
  2. Add onion and cook until translucent.
  3. Add remaining ingredients. Cook on medium to medium-low until zucchini is tender and mushrooms have cooked down.  Stirring occasionally. Approximately 20 minutes.
  4. Serve over rice if desired.

Simple, yummy and inexpensive!

You may also consider serving with Homemade Applesauce in the Slow Cooker!

3 comments

Filed Under: Recipes

Delicious Peach Blueberry Crisp Recipe

by Dana Zeliff on September 27, 20132013-09-27
in Recipes

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

Peach Blueberry Crisp Recipe

This Delicious Peach Blueberry Crisp Recipe is easy to make and a great way to use up fresh fruit or even freezen.  The beauty of this recipe is that you can substitute other fruits to use what you have on hand or what is in-season.

Ingredients

Filling:
1 cups fresh blueberries, washed and stems removed
3 cups fresh peaches, peel and sliced (about 6 medium peaches)
About 3/4 cup sugar, depending on tartness of fruit
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1/4 cup flour
3/4 tsp cinnamon
Sprinkle of ground cloves

Topping:
1/3 cup old fashion oats
3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup brown sugar (light if you have it)
1/3 butter, melted

Directions

Combine fruit, sugar, lemon juice, flour and spices. Place in buttered 8x8x2 inch pan. Mix topping ingredients and place over fruit. Bake for 35 minutes at 350° for glass pan or at 375° for metal pan.

Options –

  • Could use all peaches,  add raspberries instead of blueberries or use whatever fruit you have on hand!
  • Can use frozen fruit just keep frozen and add in last

Tip – Butter pan using piece of butter and wax paper

Recipe adapted from: Some Like it South

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Filed Under: Recipes

Easy Pumpkin Mousse Recipe

by Dana Zeliff on September 26, 20132013-09-26
in Recipes

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link.

Pumpkin Mousse Recipe

This super easy Pumpkin Mousse is a low-fat delicious fall treat to have after a home cooked meal! It’s so simple; if I can make it, anyone can. Trust me. It requires no cooking or baking of any kind and is ready in minutes! Let’s get started on how to make it!
Money Spent: about $3
Time Spent: about 5 minutes
pumpkin mousse recipe ingrediants
Ingredients:
Cool whip (I bought the generic Kroger brand for $1 at Kroger, but the cool whip name brand is only about $ .50-$1.00 more)
Canned Pumpkin (I bought Kroger brand for $1.89, make sure you only buy the small can unless you are making this recipe for a lot of people because you will have leftover pumpkin!)
Directions:
-First you may need to thaw out your cool whip a bit because if your grocery store is like mine, it is kept by the frozen ice cream so it is a bit tough!
-Now, You need 1 cup of cool whip and 1 cup of canned pumpkin, stir or mix using a mixer until it is smooth!
-You can also add just a little bit of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice if you would like, I added cinnamon to mine to give it just a bit of extra flavor!
-Pour your pumpkin and cool whip mix into a glass and top it off with a little more cool whip and then you’re all done!
pumpkin mousse recipe top pic
There you have it! You have just made your very own Fall Dessert! Go ahead and grab a spoon and indulge. This recipe and directions only provides enough pumpkiny goodness for one person so you will have to double it each time you add another person! However, it does make a pretty heaping serving so you could split it with someone else if you’re willing to share the deliciousness!
Enjoy!

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Filed Under: Recipes


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About The Coupon Challenge

Hi! I'm Dana, the writer behind the scenes of The Coupon Challenge, a Hampton Roads, VA based coupon blog. I'm a wife and mother of 2. After getting out of debt we started using our savings to travel together as a family and create memories.

Are you looking for ways to save your family money? I strive to help you save on the products you need, so you can spend more on the things you want. Read More about Dana & Family

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