Top 13 Recipes of 2013

Whoa. 2013 is almost over and it was GOOD. This blog has grown a ton and I've improved as a blogger, writer, photographer, etc etc. I somehow made (and/or became even closer with) MORE amazing blog friends. And ya know...in real life...I finally got my ring ;)

So, as I have every NYE since this blog's inception, we're gonna do a round up of the best recipes from this year. And it's the hardest one yet because this has been THE BEST year yet--SO MUCH YUMMY FOOOOOOOD! gah! But let's see what we have (Note: if you wish to pin any of these recipes, you may want to first click the link to the individual post, which has the recipe):

Top 4 Most Popular Recipes from 2013

Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole

This recipe blew up this year! I'm not super surprised, it's a classic, comforting recipe that's so simple to throw together and is sure to be the perfect meal for your family.

Homemade Holiday Gift Ideas-Part 2

I AM IN DISNEY WORLD RIGHT NOW. RIGHT THIS SECOND. THAT IS WHERE I AM! OHMYGOODNESS I'M SO EXCITED I COULD CRY! Mmmmmmmm but anyway, you poor dears who aren't in the most magical place ever, you still deserve a blog post. And the holidays are a coming. So I have a little listy list for you people with some AMAZING, easy, homemade (food related) holiday gift ideas. This list is similar to last year's....but has more stuff. And I've actually now given some of these. So hooray!

You read this post. I go see Beast's Castle. Deal?

Homemade Peanut Butter/Variation of Nut Butters 

(such as homemade nutella):

Last year I gave my bestie Alex this Chocolate Peanut Butter:

Process peanuts until a ball forms. Add in chocolate. Continue to process until smooth. Add salt if desired.

Pour into a container and store in the refrigerator.

And I also gave my cousin Emily this Homemade Dark Chocolate Walnut Butter.

Cookie Dough:

I gave my brother, Josh, some frozen cookie dough balls from this recipe.

These two methods are particularly good ideas for giving cookie dough (I used the 1st one).

Make sure to include baking instructions with the dough, and keep them in the freezer!

For some ideas of cookie recipes to give as dough, click here.

Cookies:

Giving cookies for Christmas is a classic! I used empty, clean, pringles cans to package the cookies I was gifting this year, and then I wrapped them in wrapping paper! So fun and easy. Just make sure that your cookies aren't too big to fit! Here are some great ideas for cookie recipes to gift this holiday season:

• Bakery Style Chocolate Chip Cookies 
• Cookie Dough Balls
• Brown Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies 
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
• Browned Butter, Salted, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Browned Butter Dark Chocolate and Marshmallow Cookies
• Candy Bar Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Momofuku's Cornflake Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies
• Brown Butter Chocolate Stuffed Toffee Chip Cookies
• Brown Butter Salted Caramel Stuffed Toffee Chip Cookies
• Chocolate Cookies and Cream Cookies
• Browned Butter Peanut Butter Cookies
• Nutella Stuffed, Brown Butter, Salted Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Butterfinger Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
• Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
• NY Times Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
• (For the gluten free): Butter-less, Flour-less, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Homemade Vanilla Extract

This is still one of my favorites. Homemade vanilla extract is SO simple, and makes such an adorable gift! That little beauty up there was one of my gifts to my future MIL. :)

• Homemade Chocolate Syrup

• Salted Caramel Sauce

• Raspberry Jam

• Caramel Corn

• Puppy Chow

• Chocolate Truffles
  Salted Browned Butter Cookie Dough Truffles
  "Oreo Balls"Peanut Butter Pretzel Truffles
  Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Pecan Truffles
  Other Candy

• Homemade S'mores Kit:
  Include marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers (may I suggest homemade ;P)

For more homemade gift ideas, check out 

my Homemade Gift Ideas pinterest board!

Thanksgiving Recipes

Thanksgiving is less than a week away. Maybe you're looking for some ideas? Look no further, you've come to the right place! Here's a list of all the Thanksgiving worthy recipes that have found their way onto the blog, so far. (Yes...there are many potatoes.)

Sides
Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Kale
Crispy Parmesan Potato Puffs
Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes
Baked Cheddar and Scallion Mashed Potatoes
Mashed Potato, Cheddar, and Scallion Waffles
Michael's Applesauce (in a crockpot)
Potato Cake
Perfectly Imperfect Mashed Potatoes
Pan Roasted Potatoes
Loaded Mashed Potatoes
Gravy Cheese Fries Poutine
Stoemp (Mashed Potatoes with Leeks)
Spinach and Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Smashed Potatoes
Scalloped Potato Leek Gratin
Roasted Skillet Potatoes
Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Crock Pot Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Roasted Broccoli and Garlic
Homemade, Baked, Tater Tots

Breads
Whole Wheat Double Corn Cornbread
Roxana's Dinner Rolls
Soft 100% Whole Wheat Rolls
No Knead Dinner Rolls
Parmesan Breadsticks (Pizza Hut Copy Cat)
Goat Cheese Drop Biscuits
Fluffy, Buttery, Rolls (Texas Roadhouse Copy Cat)
Cheddar Biscuits

Desserts
Perfect, All Butter, Pie Crust
Mini Apple Pies
Pumpkin Pie with Whole Wheat Crust and Cinnamon Caramel Whipped Cream
French Silk Brownie Pie
Dark Chocolate Bread Pudding
Chocolate Truffle Tart
Chocolate Raspberry Ganache Pie
Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie
Yoder's Peanut Butter Pie
Vanilla Honey Shortbread Pie
Nutella Crack Pie
Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies
Nutella Lava Cakes
Molten Chocolate Lava Cake
Salted Caramel Sauce

I'll be making:

Fluffy, Buttery, Rolls

Michael's Applesauce

Some kind of mashed potatoes

Corn
A jar of cranberry jelly business for Michael

Turkey breast

aaaand...I dunno? Lol

What are you making for Thanksgiving this year?

Happy Mother's Day

Moms....you are amazing.

No matter how much credit and thanks I give you, it will never be enough. 

So I'll leave you with some tasty food, food that I think MY mom, would particularly like.

And the post I wrote last year in ode to my mom.

Thanks ladies. We love ya.

(note: My mom doesn't like chocolate. Yes I'm certain I'm her biological daughter...apparently all the chocolate lovin' genes got sent to me. Anyway, that's the reason for the lack of chocolate below)

Easy Cinnamon Roll Muffins

Waffle Iron Hash Browns

Whole Wheat Cinnamon Swirl Bread

Simple Peanut Butter Granola Bars

Fluffy, Buttery Rolls (Texas Roadhouse Copy Cat)

Homemade Cheddar Cheese Crackers (Cheez-Its)

Alfredo Parmigiano Sauce

Cheesy Chicken Noodles

Scalloped Potato Leek Gratin

Chicken Parmesan Wraps

Baked Parmesan Chicken "Fries"

Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole

Caramel Corn

Vanilla & Honey Shortbread Pie

Frozen Strawberry Yogurt Pie

Yoder's Peanut Butter Pie

~HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!~

Easter Breakfast/Brunch Menu Ideas

Easter is coming! On Sunday, those of us who celebrate Easter, will celebrate Jesus rising from the grave/a giant bunny coming to our houses to deliver us candy!

Right...? :P

Michael and I are in that annoying, kind of sad, phase where we can't have our childhood traditions anymore (because 1-we're adults n such and 2-we moved), but we don't have children of our own to create new ones with either. Sooo, we're not doing a ton on Easter. I'll be making a big dinner but hey that's not super unusual. Whether you're a young'n, in this weird young adult phase, or a full on grown-up, I thought I'd share some of my favorite breakfast/brunch recipes for you to consider making on Easter morning. :)

Valentine's Day Dessert Ideas

I'm a big old, softy, love-loving, romantic, cheesy, cliche'd girly girl.

It is who I am.

So, I adore Valentine's Day, but had honestly never truly celebrated it until last year (the first time Michael and I had ever been together, in the same state, on Valentine's). And it was wonderful! Now, I understand that a lot of people aren't that into it. I understand that Michael, and most other people, think it's a fake holiday. I don't care. I don't even need a lot. Just a smidgen bit of romance and specialness, nothing big. This year we're going to celebrate on the 17th, so we're both off work, and we're going to go see Warm Bodies and catch dinner in the city. I'm pretty darn excited :) I'll probably also make some sort of yummy dessert, but then again, what else is new? Making dinner isn't especially...special...since I do it all the time. But for all of you who are making the (super awesome) decision to treat your beloved with homemade food, you have come to the right place!

Last year I shared some ideas to make for the entire day, but since I have a much larger recipe index to choose from this year, I'm sharing some of my favorite ideas for Valentine's Day desserts:

(Left to right, top to bottom)

Mini Raspberry Swirl Cheesecakes  

French Silk Brownie Pie  

Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes

Brown Butter Dark Chocolate and Toasted Pecan Cookies

Dark Chocolate Bread Pudding (Lightened Up)

Boozy Brownies (use your hunny's fave liquor!)

Dark Chocolate Truffles

Candy Bar Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies (use Valentine's candy or your sweetie's fave!)

Raspberry Ice Cream Cake-Pie

Levain Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate Decadence

Chocolate Chantilly

Frozen Strawberry Yogurt Pie

S'mores Crème Brûlée

2 Ingredient, No Ice Cream Maker, Ice Cream (Whatever flavor you like!)

New York Times Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Top Recipes of 2012

Ahhh! I'm back! I had a really great time in Ohio, but it went by way too fast! 

And I totally missed you guys.

And OMG it's already New Year's Eve! 

I cannot believe 2012 is almost over. This year has been so amazing. 

I got to spend pretty much all year with my favorite guy, I've been acting and working a bunch, and this blog has grown and taken off in such big ways! I have made so many wonderful new friends through here, and I cannot tell me how happy that makes me and how lucky I am to be a part of your (virtual) lives! I cannot wait to see what 2013 has in store for me.  

Now, here I have a little round up of yours and my favorite recipes of the year. Aaaand...not surprisingly....cookies were very popular. Like so popular that nothing else even stood a chance. 2012 was the year of the cookie! Now go scroll down to see what you guys liked best and then continue to see my favorites that didn't make your favorites cut! (Because you guys have great taste, your favorites happen to be some of mine too!) And yes...I know the top #'s are random...just go with it...

Chocolate Chip Cookies at Chelsea's Culinary Indulgence

Hi all!!

So, as you know, I'm currently having lots of fun/business in Ohio right about now.

BUT I still really wanted to participate in Chelsea's Culinary Indulgence's 12 Days of Christmas Treats:

For the 12 days leading up to Christmas, Chelsea is having some wonderful bloggers post some of their fave holiday goodies! And today is my day! Head on over to check out my Christmas-y post and my New York Times Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe!

Kristina and Kayle's Cookie Exchange SILPAT GIVEAWAY! (CLOSED)

Hi everyone! Our cookie exchange is still in full swing (so head on over to link up, if you haven't already)! And today we have an extra special treat for you:

A SILPAT GIVEAWAY!

Any cookie baker worth their salt knows about, and uses, Silpat. Kristina uses them. And I have been lusting after them, giving forlorn gazes at the parchment paper I have been dealing with (up to this point). 

Now, in case you didn't know, here's some of what makes Silpats so awesome:

1. They're the original non-stick baking mat. 
2. Silpat Non-Stick Baking Mats are made of fiberglass and good grade silicone-they are completely food safe and FDA, NSF, and Kosher certified.
3. Cookies get some sort of traction when baking from these baking mats, and they spread less (bigger cookies=better!)
4. NOTHING sticks to these babies-be it gooey batter, caramel, taffy, dough, etc.! And there is no greasing required-just the mat.
5. Silpat is effective in temperatures from -40 degrees (F) to 480 degrees (F).
6. Unlike parchment paper, Silpat is reusable and cleans super easily! (OMG I'm going to save so much money not having to constantly buy more parchment!)
7. Not just for cookies, they also produce Silpain (for bread) and Roul'Pat (for rolling out dough).
8. They have even more products here!

Um so yeah...I'm super psyched to start using my new Silpat ALL. THE. TIME!

And oh yeah, you can get one too!

Chocolate Chip and Peanut Butter Truffle Swirled Cookies and KRISTINA & KAYLE'S CHRISTMAS COOKIE EXCHANGE!

Ah December. This entire month is pretty much just about Christmas for me. In my head it's Christmas Christmas all the time! And living in New York City, the decorations are on par with my thoughts. 

Now, as I'm sure you've noticed I love cookies. Another awesome thing about this season.

To celebrate this cookie-licious time of year, I am so excited to announce the official kick-off of...

 Kristina and Kayle's Christmas Cookie Exchange!

As you guys know, Kristina (of Whipped Baking) is my girl. And she and I were like, "Um, let's get everyone together to cyber-share their favorite cookie recipes!" Because we're (ok, it was Kristina's idea, I just jumped on board enthusiastically) brilliant like that.

So, starting today, December 5th, Kristina and I invite ALL OF YOU to join our Christmas Cookie Exchange! We want you to bring your favorite cookie recipe and link it up at the bottom of either my post below or over on Kristina's yummalicious blog to share your favorite recipes. Kristina and I are blogging a couple of our own cookie recipes today, so make sure to check hers out too, after you're done here!

*Cheesy announcer voice* But wait-there's more! Not only do you get tons of wonderful cookie recipes, there's also a priiize up for grabs! After you've all linked up your tastiest cookie recipes we're going to vote! And the winner gets (in addition to Cookie Queen/King bragging rights) a $10 Starbucks Gift Card! Voting begins on December 13th and ends December 15th (then the winner will be announced December 16th)!

Here's the agenda:

1. Today (December 5th) starts Kristina & Kayle's Christmas Cookie exchange! Enter your favorite cookie recipes by linking up your cookie posts to either the bottom of my post here or over at Kristina's blog, Whipped Baking. You can use new or old posts as long as they're delicious cookies!
2. December 10th a very special cookie related GIVEAWAY!
3. December 13th starts the voting period where you all can vote on your favorite cookie recipe. You can vote by coming back to this post and clicking the 'vote' button below the individual pictures. Voting ends December 15th at 11:59pm.
4. December 16th we will announce the winner of the Cookie Exchange Contest who will receive a Starbucks Gift Card for $10! And we'll also announce the winner of Monday (Dec. 10th)'s giveaway!

We'll also totally remind you on the 13th that it's time to vote, so don't worry about trying to remember!

Don't have a blog? Send Kristina a pic of your favorite cookie and the recipe to her e-mail, kristina.whippedbaking@gmail.com, and we'll share your pictures on our Facebook pages! Unfortunately you are not eligible for the gift card (because we have no way of voting for your recipe) but we would LOVE to be able to share your yummy recipes too!

Now, on to the matter at hand-these cookies. When Michael's friend Katina was visiting, I decided I wanted to bake her up a special treat, and that was these cookies. They're a fairly basic (and delicious) chocolate chip cookie, but throughout it are swirls and chunks of amazing peanut butter truffle. These cookies were soft, chewy, and wonderful, with a fabulous marriage of sweet, rich, and just a hint of salt. They're a wonderful twist on a classic, just special enough to impress during this holiday season, yet traditional enough to please all members of your family (who like peanut butter, anyway). This cookie monster could have gobbled these all up in a heartbeat...but I had to share. And that was even better. :)

Something Saturdays (11/24/12)

My Thanksgiving.

Ahh! OMG you guys Thanksgiving is OVER. Do you know what this means??!! CHRISTMAS IS COMING! OMG OMG OMG OMG. I love Christmas...like...you don't even know. I go batty for the holiday. I'm so excited...I'm not sure if you can tell. :D

Thanksgiving Menu Ideas

Where is the time going? It's like one second it's October, then it's my birthday, and now Thanksgiving is coming up!! For those of you looking for a little inspiration for your Thanksgiving menus (I'll post mine sometime later), you should definitely check out some of these options:

Homemade Holiday Gift Ideas

I'm a little bit of a freak.

I've already gotten almost all of my Christmas presents, most are even wrapped.

One thing I'm super excited about this year is some of the homemade gifts I'm giving: some people are getting homemade cookies, a certain person is getting cookie dough (with instructions on how to bake), someone else is getting some homemade vanilla extract, and another person is getting homemade chocolate peanut butter. Oh yes. This is going to be good. If you like the idea of making some of your gifts this holiday season, I've listed a few ideas below:

• Homemade Vanilla Extract
• Homemade Chocolate Syrup
• Homemade Peanut Butter/Variation of Nut Butters
• Raspberry Jam
• Caramel Corn
• Puppy Chow
• Chocolate Truffles/"Oreo Balls"/Peanut Butter Pretzel Truffles/Other Candy
• Homemade S'mores Kit:
  Include marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers (may I suggest homemade ;P)
• Cookies/Cookie Dough:
  (If giving cookie dough, I particularly like the idea of these two methods)

• Cookie Dough Balls
• Levain Chocolate Chip Cookie Copy Cat
• Brown Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies 
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
• Browned Butter Dark Chocolate and Marshmallow Cookies
• Candy Bar Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Momofuku's Cornflake Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies
• Chocolate Cookies and Cream Cookies
• Browned Butter Peanut Butter Cookies
• Whole Wheat Butter-less Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
• NY Times Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
• (For the gluten free): Butter-less, Flour-less, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

For more ideas you can also check out my Homemade Gift Ideas board on Pinterest-I'm always updating it with new stuff I find, too!

Red White and Blue-Berry Shortcake Cupcakes-Guest Post with Kristina of Whipped

OK, so I have one more amazing guest post for you before I'm back! This is just as exciting as the last one. Kristina from Whipped is here to share a great 4th of July themed recipe for you! I have to tell you, Kristina is not only an amazing blogger with gorgeous photos, a fun and friendly voice, and scrumptious (plus healthy?!) recipes, but she has also become my BFF--best foodie friend. She's moving to NYC this September for culinary school and I CANNOT wait! Michael is worried I may leave him to spend all my time with her. But then again, he wants her to be at the apartment all the time so she and I can both feed him goodies. Spoiled boy :P Anyway! These cupcakes/shortcakes look so perfect for summer (you can even wear a bikini after eating one, I say it's ok!) and Michael positively drooled over these when he saw the photos! (They're refreshing and have berries so he's obviously ALL OVER THIS!) Now, read the rest of this post, enjoy the wonderousness that is Kristina, then go check out her blog and read every morsel of awesomeness on there! And while you're at it, you should really keep up to date with her through the twitter, that facebook, and of course pinterest!  And I will be back in full force next week! Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day!!!

Isn't it freaky how much I look like my dad?

Father's Day Recipes

I may not be super close with my Dad, but one thing he and I always had in common was food. You see...I apparently eat like a man. I'm a meat and potatoes kinda gal. And for desserts-he and I always bonded over our love of rich, decadent things-especially if it involved chocolate AND peanut butter! (My mom doesn't even like chocolate! What is wrong with her!?) So, for all of you trying to think of some Father's Day worthy recipes, here are a few suggestions, for any of the fathers in your life (even the ones who are married to you!):

Mother's Day

Today, I'd like to share a note to my mother:

Happy Easter!

 Mama Maria's Italian Easter bread for breakfast.

Easter Menu Ideas

Easter Menu Ideas

Tomorrow is Easter! I hope everyone has a great holiday :)

Ok-so I don't have a lot of cutesy Easter recipes (yet). However, if you are looking for some inspiration for tomorrow, I have a few ideas:

Valentine's Day in Photos