• Home
  • Recipes
    • Brownies and Bars
    • Candy
    • Chocolate
    • Cupcakes
    • Fun Treats
    • Frosting
    • In a Jar
    • Ice Cream
    • Pie
  • Recipe Box
    • Shopping List
  • Family
    • Baby!!
  • About
    • Policies
      • Advertising
      • Disclosure Policy
      • Privacy
  • Contact
28
DEC
2011

Best of 2011

tag : Best of 2012, Birthday Party, Chocolate, Cupcakes
by : Kristan
comment : 46

So…2011 is almost over.

I’d love to say that I have tons of resolutions for the new year, but that is not the case.  I have no resolutions.  NONE.

Not to say that I’m perfect.  I mean, obviously not.  But I’ve found that being imperfect is waaaay easier, so why mess up a good thing?

Also, the whole “fitness” thing that starts every January has kind of turned me off from resolutions.  I mean…I’m happy for everyone who gets super excited and motivated and joins a gym/buys a treadmill/starts a relationship with Jillian Michaels because if that’s what you want then good, I hope you get super skinny or muscley or good at walking and lifting things or whatever.

But the bad part is when fitnessey people decide that EVERYONE else needs to be all fitnessey too.  And then when you decline the gym invite, they assume that even though you’re saying no, you secretly wish that you had the  motivation to say yes, and they proceed to tell you how good you’ll feel, how you just have to push yourself, blah blah blah.

So please trust me when I say, I do not want to go to the gym.  I do not WISH I wanted to go to the gym.  And when I browse Pinterest, and there’s a pin of someone lifting weights among all the triple layer brownie cookie caramel pins, my heart frowns and a tiny Crisco tear drops down and lands on my pile of Twinkies.

I’m fairly certain that the part of my brain that is supposed to want to be healthy never developed, and was instead replaced with a brain thing that makes me want to read magazines and eat Hot Tamales.  So basically it’s a disability and not my fault.

And it’s mean to pick on people with disabilities, so you should probably just let me avoid exercise without judgement.

Anyways, since it’s the end of the year, I thought I’d do a round up of my most popular posts of 2011.  But if we’re being honest, I am feeling lazy this week, haven’t baked anything, and this is just easier than cooking.

Happy New Year!!

You really can’t go wrong with these Cookies and Cream Cupcakes….and they have filling!!  Filling always makes cupcakes better.

My Cupcake Milkshake brought all the readers to the yard…heh heh.

These Confetti Cheesecake Cupcakes with Cake Batter Cream Cheese Frosting have the longest dessert name EVAH.  But–they’re sooo worth the effort.  And this was probably my favorite post I’ve done so far.

These Thin Mint Truffles are worth buying extra Girl Scout cookies and freezing them so you can make them year round.

These Angry Birds Cupcakes are actually easier to make than they look.  Great Birthday Party idea!!

These Cap’n Crunch Cupcakes are great and the frosting is AMAZING.  Also…another one of my favorite posts.  I still get emails asking about Crazy Cereal Lady!!

These Tin Roof Bars are as good as they look!!  Also, I discuss JOTS in this post.  Do you know any JOTS?  I bet you do.

These Melted Ice Cream Cupcakes are (again) very simple and super cute for a birthday party!!  I think Ice Cream themed parties are the cutest.

These Boston Cream Pie Twinkies are one of my best ideas ever.  Even better than when I invented the wearable body alarm (protect thy personal bubble!).

I cannot stress to you the importance of making these Zebra Cakes.  Just do it and trust me, okay?

 

Can you believe all the stuff I did this year?  It’s amazing that I even had time to breathe, put on socks, or buy Chapstick!!  I’m practically a food making machine!!

I hope your year was fabulous.  I look forward to sharing many more recipes with you in 2012!!

Thank you so much for reading and have a wonderful New Year!!

Thanks for reading!! I put lots of love into this post, so if you enjoyed it, please leave a comment, share, or subscribe. (As you can probably tell, I'm in constant need of validation, so this keeps me from questioning my self worth and crying into a box of wine) If, by some chance, you didn't enjoy the post, take it up with my personal zombie ninja.
About Kristan
I’m a proud housewife with a son in the second grade and a sweet baby girl. Like most little boys, my son funny and cute but a little weird. Which only makes me love him more. And the baby? Well...I know she'll sleep eventually. If I could, I would paint my life pink, sprinkle it with glitter, and give everyone a cupcake.

Share This Post

  • google-share
46 Comments
  1. 1
    Hayley says:
    December 28, 2011 at 1:57 pm

    Happy New Year, Kristan! You’re the most awesomest!

    Reply
  2. 2
    Amy Pollack says:
    December 28, 2011 at 1:58 pm

    I think my resolution for 2012 is to just come up with a non-cliched resolution. That’s the best I do. :) I seriously LOVE how your mind works. I hate my diabetes every time I see your awesome recipes but I still love to bake so my family (especially the hubby) loves to be my taste testers. I made your Dr. Pepper Cherry Vanilla cupcakes in a jar for my daughter’s cheer sleepover and they were a huge hit! They want to have another sleepover just to see what I will make them next. :) Happy New Year to you!!! Thanks for sharing your creativity with us!

    Reply
  3. 3
    Maria says:
    December 28, 2011 at 2:17 pm

    Love ALL of your recipes! So happy I found your blog! Hopefully we can meet in real life in 2012. Keep the sweets coming:) xoxo

    Reply
  4. 4
    Rebecca Scott says:
    December 28, 2011 at 2:19 pm

    Oh I can tell, I’m going to like you already. I love your sense of humor so I’m definitely following you. ;) Good for you for liking who you are and not feeling like you have to hold to someone else’s ideal. I’m one of those fitnessey people but I’m like that year round and I can promise, I have no intention of telling you to go work out. I do it because it’s fun for me. I don’t expect anyone who isn’t going to have fun to do it. That would be silly. I don’t ever want to skydive. I have absolutely NO interest in leaping out of an airplane with nothing but a glorified napkin folded up and strapped to my back while I plummet toward the earth screeching like a howler monkey. Thus I completely understand that some people just don’t want to do things they won’t enjoy. I promise not to ask you to work out as long as you promise not to shove me out of a plane. Deal? Great.

    On to your food stuffs. All of this looks amazing. I have to admit I love cooking but the hubby is really big into health foods so I’ll have to make some of this for my friends who are in utter agreement with you on the dessert thing. ;) I can already practically hear my friend Wendy drooling over the cookies and cream cupcakes. Filling? In a cupcake? Oh heck yeah. Gimmie. *makes grabby paws for them* Thanks for sharing all this and I shall now follow you happily so I can pick up even MORE awesome recipes. :)

    Reply
  5. 5
    Robyn | Add a Pinch says:
    December 28, 2011 at 2:24 pm

    You know I love every one of your sweet treats and your sweet self, too!!! {and the Crisco tear totally had me spitting coffee on my computer}

    Reply
  6. 6
    betty says:
    December 28, 2011 at 2:24 pm

    your cupcakes are trully beautiful, everything looks so gorgeous and delicious I just can’t wait to try the mint truffles, I love your blog your decorations are always great and you have such good ideas, thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  7. 7
    Sybil says:
    December 28, 2011 at 2:33 pm

    Love your philosophy on life. I agree with you totally. Loved the comment about the crisco tear. Love your recipes. Please keep them coming. Happy New Year.

    Reply
  8. 8
    Anita says:
    December 28, 2011 at 6:42 pm

    Wow I was so happy to be part of your year I know you made mine when I found your site, I’ve made so many of your treats!! Yumm ande double Yumm keep posting so I can have another great year!

    Reply
  9. 9
    Lauren at Keep It Sweet says:
    December 28, 2011 at 7:49 pm

    You really did have a super delicious year on the blog! New Years health resolutions are overrated.

    Reply
  10. 10
    Kristina says:
    December 28, 2011 at 7:58 pm

    Your cookies and cream cupcakes have been made at least a dozen times since you posted the recipe. Sometimes 6 dozen at a time. People are totally wowed by them. So, thank you! :) I do tell them and often send a link to your blog too.

    Reply
  11. 11
    Willa@ArmstrongFamilyFare says:
    December 28, 2011 at 8:58 pm

    Ok…I guess I’m off to make the Zebra Cakes…you insisted! :) Everything looks amazing. Thanks for all the baking you did this year…and keep it up! :)

    Reply
  12. 12
    Kimberley Mulla says:
    December 28, 2011 at 8:59 pm

    Love the recap of 2011! And a good reminder that I wanted to make the melted ice cream cone cupcakes :)

    Reply
  13. 13
    Eidilia Thomas says:
    December 28, 2011 at 10:16 pm

    People think I’m an awesome baker because of you. I give you 100% of the credit for the clever ideas and the receipes but I still come out looking like an amazing baker and it’s all because of you. Thank you, thank you, thank you. You are my hero!!

    Reply
  14. 14
    Lisa L. says:
    December 28, 2011 at 10:31 pm

    Awesome round-up!! Now I can “pin” until my heart’s content! Happy New Year! :)

    Reply
  15. 15
    Natalie @ Cooking for My Kids says:
    December 28, 2011 at 10:45 pm

    I love this post…of course, I love all of your posts. And, I see so many amazingly wonderful cupcakes in my future. Thank you! Happy New Year!

    Reply
  16. 16
    Dee W says:
    December 28, 2011 at 11:39 pm

    Amazing. I have to wipe my chin every time I see your zebra cakes, my favorite snack EVER! I absolutely have loved your blog, and am so glad I found it.

    Reply
  17. 17
    Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen says:
    December 29, 2011 at 1:20 am

    I’m so with you on the fitness crazy people! I’m just plain lazy and only run if crazy cows are chasing me! Love your round up and you crack me up with your Crisco tear, funny stuff. Happy New Year!

    Reply
  18. 18
    sweetsugarbelle says:
    December 29, 2011 at 2:44 am

    I LOVE you already, and just when I think I couldn’t love you anymore, you say something like Crisco tears…and I wake Bernie up laughing! I’m so glad I found you…and I love that you posted this. Some was before my time, so I am seeing thin mint truffles and messing up one of my blasted resolutions already. Some of us aren’t naturally blessed with stellar genes that offset the exercise aversion =P

    Reply
  19. 19
    Dominika says:
    December 29, 2011 at 2:47 am

    You made me laugh again. Reading your posts is just a great way to start a day of work. I’m totally with you when it comes to New Year celebrations. My hubby does lots of laundry on the last day of a year because he believes that if you leave laundry basket empty then you will have much less washing the next year ( yeah right! with two kids under three? ). Oooops, have to run to work! Somebody make me a cupcake! :-) Have a great day!!!

    Reply
  20. 20
    Miss Overballe says:
    December 29, 2011 at 7:40 am

    Happy New Year!!! Can’t wait to see what you come up with in 2012!!! :)

    Reply
  21. 21
    Paula says:
    December 29, 2011 at 8:41 am

    Thank you for a wonderful year of sharing your creative baking, your wonderful sense of humour and your very personal stories with us. You have endeared all of your readers to you with your talents, your positive outlook on life, your inner strength and beautiful spirit. Continued success with this site throughout 2012 and may the New Year bless you and your family with the same joy and happiness that you bring to so many others.

    Reply
  22. 22
    Donna says:
    December 29, 2011 at 11:26 am

    I found your blog the other day. Spent a few hours reading through the posts. You are so funny!
    Keep up the good work.
    Donna

    Reply
  23. 23
    Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says:
    December 29, 2011 at 12:16 pm

    New Year resolutions are often, over-rated. Just eat a cupcake (or two!) and be merry :D

    Happy New Year, sweetness :)

    Reply
  24. 24
    Jen at The Three Little Piglets says:
    December 29, 2011 at 12:29 pm

    I resolved several years ago not to make resolutions anymore! It’s just too depressing when January 2nd rolls around and I’ve already admitted defeat on the go to the gym more often resolution! Besides I like chocolate way too much to resolve to eat too many leafy things!

    Reply
  25. 25
    Cristin (Pinkie) of Cristin's Cookies says:
    December 29, 2011 at 12:57 pm

    It has been a really fun year (or part of it since I found you) of seeing all your yummy creations and reading your hilarious posts. I’m so thankful that I found you!

    Reply
  26. 26
    Brenda of SweetSimpleStuff says:
    December 29, 2011 at 1:18 pm

    I love your recipes and photos , but most of all … your sense of humor and honesty! I truly enjoy you!

    Reply
  27. 27
    Debbie says:
    December 29, 2011 at 1:18 pm

    I am so glad I found your blog, your posts always bring a smile whether it’s from your sharp sense of humor or from yummy goodness! This was so funny that I had to share it with my husband and he laughed too. Thank you for sharing with all of us and a Happy New Year to you!

    Reply
  28. 28
    Elizabeth says:
    December 29, 2011 at 1:25 pm

    Those cookies & cream cupcakes and the zebra cakes look absolutely delicious!

    Reply
  29. 29
    Karyl says:
    December 29, 2011 at 3:26 pm

    gosh you make me smile. and laugh. the crisco tear remark was priceless, like you. and those sweets made me smile! especially the cupcake milkshake. really, the things you think of! and the photos are so cute. you are the best of 2011. and 2012 too i’m sure. happy new year!

    Reply
  30. 30
    Paula Chaffin says:
    December 29, 2011 at 7:28 pm

    Happy New Year Kristan to you and your family!

    Reply
  31. 31
    Melissa J. says:
    December 29, 2011 at 9:43 pm

    The last couple years I have resolved to eat more chocolate and have more fun. I have succeeded. You should try it. Love the blog. Happy New Year and best wishes

    Reply
  32. 32
    Andi says:
    December 30, 2011 at 12:07 am

    Thank you so much for writing – and you have a wonderful year too – looking forward to reading all about it!!

    Reply
  33. 33
    Lori @ RecipeGirl says:
    December 30, 2011 at 9:13 am

    So super cute and creative- all of it. My creativity is often stifled, and I can only come up w/ a few good and unique treats a year!! I love the melted ice cream cupcakes!

    Reply
  34. 34
    bridget {bake at 350} says:
    December 30, 2011 at 9:14 am

    “my heart frowns and a tiny Crisco tear drops down and lands on my pile of Twinkies.” I love you, Kristan. I just read that whole except aloud to my boys. It’s a Confessions of a Cookbook Queen READING!!! You should do those!

    Your round-up is making me really, really hungry! Man, you made some amazing things this year! And I had totally forgotten about crazy cereal lady!

    Reply
  35. 35
    Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says:
    December 30, 2011 at 9:17 am

    One of each please? {shh} I bleed Crisco too.

    Reply
  36. 36
    Debbie Cummings says:
    December 30, 2011 at 11:12 am

    I follow your blog, new blog and FB and well … anything YOU! I find my dreams of being a better baker are filled by simply rubbing elbows. I did however, make the chocolate cherry coke cupcakes for my daughters 10th birthday. I was so proud of myself and my friends thought I was amazing so I didn’t even care if the birthday girl like them (which btw she loved them).

    Cute and delicious just like you! My favorite thing about YOU is you are funny. I love funny!

    Debbie

    Reply
  37. 37
    Linds says:
    December 30, 2011 at 1:17 pm

    Thanks, Cookbook Queen. You’re awesome! Happy new year to you and yours.

    Reply
  38. 38
    Sarah from 20something cupcakes says:
    December 30, 2011 at 4:33 pm

    You are so talented! And funny! Is it possible I’ve never been here? I feel like I’ve been missing out. Happy New Year to you, and look forward to more!

    Reply
  39. 39
    Anna @ hiddenponies says:
    December 30, 2011 at 4:48 pm

    I love that you admit to not even wanting to want to go to the gym :) Amazing recipes, every one – can’t wait to try the Tin Roof decadence!

    Reply
  40. 40
    Style, She Wrote says:
    December 30, 2011 at 8:16 pm

    Those are some seriously amazing desserts. I think the Tin Roof bars are calling my name… Hope you have a happy and prosperous 2012! xo style, she wrote

    Reply
  41. 41
    Yaneri says:
    December 30, 2011 at 9:42 pm

    OoooooooooMGeeeee! I’m drooling over these top fave yummy delicious, oh so sweet treats!! Goodness sake!! I wish you an amazing Happy New Year and look so forward to your wonderful delights!!!

    Yaneri

    Reply
  42. 42
    Erin @ Making Memories says:
    December 31, 2011 at 2:58 pm

    Look at all those amazing (and delicious) creations!!! Happy New Year!

    Reply
  43. 43
    Toni says:
    January 1, 2012 at 8:14 pm

    OMG…husband picked the movie…Young Adult. The highlight of the movie was the Diet Coke and chocolate-covered raisinettes…and the guy in front of us was snoring!!!! LOUDLY!
    Hope you have an awesome New Year!
    Toni
    http://www.lifeinapinkbunnysuit.com

    Reply
  44. 44
    Teresa says:
    January 3, 2012 at 2:49 am

    I love your blog you are so funny! I also loved the TB shoes – I have several pairs and every time I bring a new pair home and tell my hubby the price – he wigs out and tells me he is going to quit his job and become a shoe designer because that is how you can make lots of money!

    Best wishes for a happy and healthy (in a non-workout way) for 2012!

    Reply
  45. 45
    Darla | Bakingdom says:
    January 5, 2012 at 12:30 pm

    I don’t do resolutions either. I never understood how all of a sudden it’s a new year, so that means everything is all different now. Um, no. It’s the same as it was yesterday, it’s just that now I have to remember to put a 2 at the end of the date instead of a 1.

    I sound grouchy, but whatever. I think if you want to change something, you change it, and you don’t wait for the calendar to flip over to the beginning again for it to happen.

    ANYWAY.

    Those cupcake milkshakes have been calling my name for months, and for some stupid reason, I haven’t answered. I’m thinking there will be a cupcake milkshake in my hand by the end of the day.

    Reply
  46. 46
    Mis blogs de cocina recomendados | Bakemania says:
    January 27, 2012 at 9:47 am

    [...] entradas favoritas son Sus mejores recetas, tableta de chocolate San Valentín, [...]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

*
*

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts
Follow on Bloglovin

Subscribe via email

FBF ▪ Powered by ®Google Feedburner

Hey Guys!

Thanks for visiting my blog! I realize you could be doing more important things with your time. Like watching the news or washing socks. I hope you stay awhile. Much more fun than socks, I promise. Read more »

I LOVE Pick Your Plum!!

Recently

Key Lime Eclairs

June 18, 2013

Twinkie Layer Cake

June 16, 2013

BlogHer Food 2013

June 12, 2013

Soft and Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies

June 11, 2013

Want a Sticker?

CCQ-blog-button-A

My Other Site!

By: ifood.tv
By: ifood.tv
    © 2013 Confessions of a Cookbook Queen
    Site Design & Maintenance by Design for Vermont