Freebie Round-Up

🔸Text message: VALPAK to 727272 to get a code for a Free Redbox DVD, Blu-ray, or Video Game Rental. The code expires 2/28.

🔸https://grubburgerbar.com/grublove/ -sign up for the Grublove Loyalty Program to get a Free Entree at Grub Burger Bar. It should come in a few hours or so. They have locations in California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and Texas

🔸https://www.walmart.com/cp/baby-registry/1229485 -click the baby welcome box link on the left side  and fill out the form to get a Free Walmart Baby Welcome Box. If you’re on a mobile device you might have to request the desktop mode in your browser to receive the baby box.

🔸https://dunkinsamples.com/?utm_source=DS008 -answer the questions and fill out the form to get a Free Dunkin’ Donuts Coffee Sample. You can choose from ground coffee or 2 k-cups. Not valid in Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington and Wyoming.

🔸http://cdn.mercurymagazines.com/121-121000036/index.html? -fill out the form to get a Free 2 Year Subscription to Money Magazine.

🔸http://shop.lego.com/en-US/minibuild-registration? -register now for a Free LEGOFighter Jet Mini Model Build at LEGO stores on February 5 & 6. For Children ages 6-14 only.

🔸https://usa.loccitane.com/kiss,82,1,94721,1326104.htm?-show this offer in store to get a Free Mon Amour Gift Box at L’Occitane stores with no purchase necessary. Expires 2/14.

🔸Free $10 off Lane Bryant coupon. Text message: TRENDY  to 552255 to get a $10 off  $10 in store purchase code. 

Enjoy your freebies! 😊

Easy DIY Lollipop Party Decor

These lollipop trees are such a cute and easy party decor idea… and kids really love them! Every time I make them for a party they are picked clean by the end of the event! You can buy craft styrofoam cones and balls at your local craft store., usually only for a few dollars each. I recommend buying the very large bag of DumDums and plan accordingly depending how many you need to make.

“Black & White” Chocolate Chip Cookies

Inspired by the traditional NYC Jewish bakery black and white cookies Black & White Cookies I decided try to make a chocolate chip cookie version!

They were beyond delish and I loved how pretty they look!

I started with my Chocolate Chip Cookies and separated the dough into two batches. I added a heaping tablespoon and a half of cocoa powder to one of the batches and mixed to incorporate. I then added 1/2 of white chocolate chips to the double chocolate chip dough. Roll each batch into a ball, cut in 2 pieces and then into four and then into 6 and so and and so forth until there is no more dough. So the same for the regular chocolate chip dough. You should have an equal number of pieces. Gently put together one piece of chocolate dough with regular dough and gently roll to incorporate.

As with traditional chocolate chip cookies, bake at 350 degrees for 9-11 minutes for large cookies and 8-10 for smaller cookies. (I always go for large 😊)

Fresh out of the oven! (Excuse the runaway chocolate chip!)

Enjoy!! They truly are delish!

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

4 medium-size sweet potatoes (avoid oblong shapes)

2 tablespoons light brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 stick unsalted butter

1/4 maple syrup (good quality)

1/4 milk or heavy cream

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 

Reusable piping bag and star tip ( Ateco 829 star tip)

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Scrub sweet potatoes under running water. Place the potatoes on a roasting tray and bake until tender, around 1 hour 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow the potatoes to cool slightly before cutting open lengthwise, gently separating. Scoop out the flesh using a large spoon (leave enough on the “shell” so the skin holds its shape) and reserve shells.
3. Mix together on medium speed the potato flesh, 2 tablespoons of the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, maple syrup, and butter. Add milk slowly. Mix until the ingredients are completely combined and the puree is smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Set the potato skin bases upright on the tray and pipe in the mixture to the sweet potato skin. Alternatively, if you do not wish to pipe the mixture you can add with a spoon.
4. Place the potatoes back into the oven. Bake 10-12 minutes.

Baked Three Cheese Mac n’ Cheese

A smoked gouda spread that I found in a gift basket gave me the idea for a three cheese ( gouda, mozzarella and cheddar) mac and cheese recipe.

The basket below I bought at CVS for 50% off in the Christmas Clearance aisle. It was originally $24.99, reduced to $12.49 and I had $5.00 in CVS rewards, so I only paid a little over $6.00 and the goodies were delish!

Ingredients

• 1 pound small macaroni
• ½ cup butter divided, plus extra for buttering the dish
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup gouda cheese 
• 1/2cup mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon garlic power
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 2 ½ quart or larger casserole dish.
2. Bring 4 quarts and 1 tablespoon salt to a rolling boil. Add macaroni and cook until just al dente, about 6 minutes. Drain well. Do not overcook and do not rinse macaroni.
3. Return pot to stovetop. Over medium heat, melt 6 tablespoons butter until foaming. Whisk in flour and cook until bubbling about 1 minute; should be a sand consistency.
4. Whisk in milk and bring to boil. Remove from heat and stir in cheeses until melted.
5. Fold in macaroni and stir until combined. Pour into prepared casserole dish.
6. In a medium bowl, melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in microwave. Stir in garlic and parsley. Add breadcrumbs and toss until evenly coated.
7. Pour breadcrumbs over macaroni. Bake until sauce is bubbling and breadcrumbs have browned, 25-30 minutes.

Toffee Banana Nut Bundt Cake

Ingredients

• 1 stick butter (unsalted) softened to room temperature
• 1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup sugar 
• 3 very ripe bananas, peeled and well-mashed
• 1/3 cup toffee bits (plus more for decoration)
• 1 large egg (lightly beaten and room temperature)
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Glaze:

3/4 cup powdered sugar

2-3 tablespoons of milk or heavy cream

Squeeze of lemon

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350F and spray a bundt pan with baking spray or lightly grease and flour.  Set aside.
• Combine butter and sugars in the bowl of a stand mixer (or in a large bowl and use an electric mixer). Beat until well-combined and light and fluffy.
• Add oil and beat to combine.  
• Mash bananas. Stir in mashed bananas.
• Add eggs, milk and vanilla extract and stir until well-combined.
• In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
• Gradually add to wet ingredients until completely combined.  
• Add in toffee bits.
• Spread batter into prepared pan and bake on 350F for 30-35 minutes* or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with few moist crumbs.  Allow to cool completely before drizzling with glaze.

Glaze Instructions:

Mix together all three ingredients, adding in milk gradually until you reach your desired consistency. Drizzle over completely cooled cake and top with extra toffee bits.

Enjoy!

Ringing in the New Year with Glazed Donuts!!

My family loved these donuts! They were super simple to make as well! I used canned biscuit dough, cut out the centers with small star cutters and then fried them a couple of minutes each side in vegetable oil. I made a glaze of a 1/2 cup of powered sugar, a squirt of lemon and a couple of tablespoons of milk.

I hope everyone has a very Happy New Year 2019!

Gingerbread Village & Holiday Treats!

I spent the holidays with strep throat and the flu…I didn’t even know you could get both at the same time! Baking is my favorite part of the holidays, so I was sad that my boys and I missed out on yummy homemade treats this Christmas. I decided to stay home all day today and bake….Orange Velvet Cake w/ Milk Chocolate Buttercream frosting topped with a Mini Gingerbread Village, a chocolate fudge tart, black & white cookies, brownies and pignoli cookies! I even made a loaf if white bread (not pictured). I am super tired, but the boys are happy and so am I! 😊

Couponing Tip:

Make a separate e-mail address for coupons, product newsletters and sample requests. This way your coupons can be easily accessed as they will be separated from your personal email address.

Italian Rice Balls (Arancini)

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked white rice, cooled (sticky rice is best)

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan

• 2 eggs

• 8 small cubes fresh mozzarella

• 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs

• Vegtable oil, for frying

• 1 cup marinara sauce

Instructions

Combine the rice, Parmesan and 1 egg in a medium bowl and use your hands to thoroughly combine the mixture.

Form each rice ball by taking a small portion of the mixture, squeezing it very firmly and stuffing one cube of mozzarella inside each ball. Repeat this process to form 8 rice balls.

Whisk together the remaining 2 eggs. Dip each rice ball in the eggs and then in the breadcrumbs, shake off any excess.

Place a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat and add enough vegetable oil to cover half of the rice balls.

Once the oil reaches 375ºF, add 2 or 3 of the rice balls to the pot and fry them until golden brown and cooked throughout.

Use a slotted spoon to remove the fried rice ball from the pot and transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat the frying process with the remaining rice balls.

Serve the rice balls warm topped with a side of warm marinara sauce and parmesan cheese. Serve with additional marinara on the side.

Enjoy!