Top 10 Recipes of 2012
ShareI’ve been looking forward to this post of the top 10 recipes of 2012. It’s always such a surprise to me to see what was popular here throughout the past year. I like to give a behind-the-scenes look into the posts and remember the recipe development/photo shoot/etc. But what makes blogging fun is the community so I’m also sharing some of my other favorite bloggers with you along the way. Let’s jump right in!
10. Oreo Ice Cream Cakes My ode to America’s Favorite Cookie. It’s not every day you turn 100. Also, I’m pretty sure there as some kind of rule about having a dessert blog and making something with these birthday cake Oreos—> I personally loved these and these and these.
9. Easter Egg Hunt Cupcakes In which I describe my fear of the Easter Bunny and why I dislike Easter egg hunts. I’m not really a hater but let’s just all admit that they are much more of a pain than they are fun. Anybody with me? So I piped some chocolate grass and hid chocolate eggs in it. You know who else does cool things with chocolate? This girl. I mean, she’s so clever!
8. Patchwork Winter Mitten Cookies Originally a guest post for this blog. I had this recipe/technique tucked away in my little idea binder for years before I finally did something about making these cookies happen. I’m so pleased with the way they turned out that I vowed to make more versions…but I haven’t. Next year? A cool little (BIG!) bonus was that a little publication named Parents Magazine (maybe you’ve heard of them?) featured them too!
7. Super Bowl Sundaes I pretty much lay out why I am the coolest mom on the block in this post. Our poor children think we are so funny and hilarious right now. In 10 years I will whip out these sundaes for my son’s friends and they will be totally unimpressed. Maybe if I make this? Or this? No? Please excuse me while I go stuff my face in this.
6. Cotton Candy Mousse What can I say? I like pink things. And I like sleep. Sleeping in- that’s what Mom wants for Mother’s Day. Is anybody listening? If you like cotton candy you should make this recipe. Ooh and these are cute too! And while you have the cotton candy out- these. Also, I’m pretty sure cotton candy makes everything 1,000% better. And I don’t even want to get any emails saying that 1,000% better isn’t even a thing.
5. Salted Caramel Cheesecake Shooters This one makes me laugh. I totally named this dessert the wrong thing because I got lots of emails from very disappointed people saying that they were under the impression that these contained alcohol. So, all you mixologists out there- this idea’s on me. Do you salt your caramel? This blogger does. And she does too. If 1,000% isn’t a thing then salted caramel certainly is.
4. Biscoff Mousse Late in 2011 we found out that our son had a peanut allergy so 2012 brought us lots of changes in our house. Until then I was a hard-core peanut butter lover {let’s have a moment of silence for these. And this. And oh gosh THIS.} but my love has now been transferred to Biscoff spread. My inaugural experience with this deliciousness was in my first post of 2012 so I guess you could say this is the Year of Biscoff.
3. Rainbow Swirl Cake Controversial or not, this was a fun cake to make and eat. Well, we didn’t get to eat much of it because this happened. While I don’t force feed my family food coloring I’m okay with using it every once in a while. Case in point. Want to know some other colorful things that I fell in love with this year? Well, I’m going to tell you: These! And these jiggly little things!
2. Layered Drinks Again, looking back is always fun because there are surprises along the way. I had NO IDEA that these were my second most popular recipe of 2012. I distinctly remember talking to Rachel about this post the day before I published it. I was kind of on the fence about it. It was one of those recipes that isn’t really a recipe and you are sure that everyone already knows how to do anyway so why even bother posting it? I certainly didn’t invent it but I hope the post cleared up some of the reasoning behind why it works. I was so happy when pictures started pouring in from readers who made it at home with their children!
1. Cadbury Cream Cookie Cups Born out of sheer laziness the popularity of these cookie cups took me by surprise. I set out to make homemade Cadbury eggs and things got way to messy and involved for my patience. So I stuffed the creamy filling into a chocolate chip cookie cup. Sugar overload? Yes. Bliss? Yes. I admit that I kind of get a giggle when people pin my recipes with a swear word as explanation.
These little guys were so popular that they even made a television appearance without me. As in my words and exact instructions copied and pasted onto a website and made live on morning TV. That was…umm…interesting. It would have been cooler if I were invited to speak the words myself. But that is neither here nor there. I’m glad you all liked them. Or hated them. But thanks for looking anyway.
So, if you are new here this is what you can expect more of in 2013. Lots and lots of calories. Time to go for a run.
Hi there! I’m Katrina, a wife and a mom in a house full of boys who love to eat. This is my girly space where I make pretty things. 
Oreo Ice Cream Cake is my favorite thing on earth!!!!
Girl, you are so talented!! Everything looks amazing, what a fun year you had! Hope you and your family had a wonderful holiday. Happy new year!! xo
My recent post My 12 Favorite Meals Of 2012
You're recipes are always so fun!
My recent post Top 10 Recipes of 2012
You are like the coolest mom ever. I so want to be a kid again looking at all of your posts.
It's official- you have the cutest recipes ever. How did I miss those Cadbury cups?? And those cheesecake shooters- omg!
What a great year you had – everything looks incredible! Glad to see the Biscoff Mousse made it, because I am pretty sure I could live on that 🙂
My recent post Pomegranate Prosecco
So much cuteness!! Have a Happy New Year, Katrina!
My recent post Rum Truffle Mocha ( skinny style )
How did I miss those Cadbury Creme Cookie Cups?? My husband would be so angry if he knew those existed and I never made them for him.
Love your round up! Off to pin!
My recent post The Top 10 Most Pinned Recipes of 2012
You are definitely one of the most creative bloggers out there! I'm impressed. I feel like every single one of these is something entirely new instead of the same old stuff (which I have no problem with… I specialize in boring stuff. ;)) And those layered drinks?! Never seen them before. I can't believe how easy they are!
My recent post Your Favorite Recipes of 2012
SO glad we got to meet this year. Hope we can connect again in 2013! xoxo
Cadbury must be popular because my #1 post was using mini eggs! Yay for Easter recipes! Happy New Year Katrina! Here's to 2013!
My recent post Top Ten Recipes of 2012
I love the mitten cookies 🙂 To be honest I love them all but I think those are really cute. I hope you have a terrific new year and that 2013 brings complete joy to everyone at your house.
Your Super Bowl Sundaes were so ingenious!!! Happy New Year!
My recent post Gingerbread Grandchildren
I lurrrrrve your patchwork mitten cookies! They rock!
My recent post Best Recipes of 2012 – Low Carb and Gluten-Free
New to your blog but I love everything sweet in the kitchen. Then the give away WOW! You gals are on it.
You are amazing! Love all of these recipes and I would devour those cheesecake shots (and never miss the alcohol
I lost part of my comment, Wishing you a very Happy New Year!
What a wonderful New Year's giveaway! I think the first app I would open would be all about baker's blogs and baking info.
Wishing you a wonderful New Year!
Everything looks so amazing! I was going to try to pick a favorite, but you've made it too hard!
My recent post Top 12 of 2012
ao much cuteness! i want to make everything…lol
My recent post A look back at 2012
Love your recipes! And those cookie cups were one of my favorites of last year as well, since I can't eat the actual eggs anymore (processed with peanuts/nuts now). Keep up the good work! 🙂
My recent post Keurig K-Cup Pack Countertop Storage Drawer Giveaway Winner!
I love all of them! Those mitten cookies are my favorite though – too cute!! Can’t wait to see what you come up with this year!