2010's Favourite Cupcakes

As I run through my ignored Google Reader messages (all two-hundred and fifty three of them), I have noticed a great number of yearly retrospectives that have sprouted up on my favourite blogs. Boy, there have sure been a lot of yummy things this year. And, boy, have I bookmarked a lot of yummy things. Our own blog has been home to it's own sweet recipes. I actually took a look back at them, much like one would look through an old yearbook:

Oooh, remember those cookies? I wonder if they've found jobs yet? 

What about that cake - prom queen one year, ugly the next. 

Mmmm, I wonder if that muffin is still single?

Okay, I have to admit, I don't really anthropomorphize my baked goods like that (in fact, if I do, make sure you start sending emails to my doctor). But it is good to take time to look back at those old, sugar- and butter-filled chums and remember the good, the bad, and the ugly. On this last day of 2010, I'll spare you the bad and ugly part. Who wants to think about failed baked goods when there are so many wonderful ones in our past?

So, without further ado, here are the top five C&C cupcake recipes of 2010:

Disneyland Rundown

It's been a while, hasn't it? Actually, I don't know what day it is. I know it's slightly after Boxing Day. To be honest, I sort of lost track. We had quite the busy holiday. A lot has happened. Our Kulfi Cupcakes won December's Mystery Box Challenge from the Sweetest Kitchen (thank you to everyone who threw your pity votes at us!). I also received some kitchen goodies - including a dehydrator, a new apron, and a set of floral flavoured sprinkles from Paris.

This was the main highlight of our holiday, though:




Mr. C and I finally made our pilgrimage to the Land of Mouse. It's all a blur now - I'm not sure how many days ago we rode Space Mountain or sucked down the magical hot chocolate that made our teeth burn. We got a lot done during those four days. It helped that half our week was plagued by a torrential downpour that kept most of the crowds away (you couldn't beat the 5 minute line up for the Indiana Jones ride). By day three, though, our legs were about ready to fall off and our feet rebelled. The food was wonderful - if you weren't vegan. I had to survive on a meager diet of hotel fruit and the edamame they sold in a little stand in the California Adventure park.

Unfortunately, we didn't dip into Disney's sweet concoctions as much as I wanted to. No cupcakes or frozen bananas on sticks for this crew. The only baked good we snagged was this mouse head:



Mickey's got a bit of elephantiasis going on, I understand. But he was tasty. Not to sweet. Lovely chocolate. Absolutely magical. As was the rest of this very very long vacation. We're still not home yet - we've got a couple hours and a ferry ride ahead of us. I do want to share something with you before I finish this little bit of blog-fluff up:

Vegetable Desserts, you say, like pumpkin and carrot? Pish. Nothing special. And I say, oh ye of little faith. Yes, this little book has pumpkin and carrot recipes - but it also has parsnip, turnip, and cabbage desserts. Yes, cabbage. Sauerkraut, to be exact. This wasn't even a Christmas gift - it was actually something I picked up for four bucks at the local used book shop, but I am so incredibly excited to get my hands dirty. The more bizarre, the better (I'm looking right at you sweet pea and mint pie).

Hopefully we will return home soon. And, as soon as Mr. C will let me, I'll cook up some sauerkraut crisps for y'all. Until then (or until we get off this blasted island) I'll have to wish you a wonderful end of December. Keep on cookin'!

Kulfi Cupcakes

I've talked about Mr. C a lot. Much to his chagrin. I've told you about his travels around the world, his little quirks, and how we drive each other crazy on a weekly basis. I've always wondered how you, at home, pictured this guy as you read my posts. I mentioned he was born in Nepal and lived in Pakistan, so many of you may have thought that Mr. C tall, dark, and handsome Middle Eastern dreamboat. Sorry to disappoint you. He's a short, pale, and Irish (but still a dreamboat in his own right).

Think Conan O'Brien crossed with Prince Harry. With a little bit of hobbit thrown in.

Image approximation

A small Irish kid living in the Asia and the Middle East? Weird, eh? I know. When we first started dating, I couldn't get over the fact that he smelt like curry all the time. Nowadays, I'm really glad he lived such an eventful life. I am absolutely in love with the food of his childhood, and it's wonderful that I don't have a significant other who turns his nose up at new and strange foods. And, the best thing about Mr. C, is that I get to bake really tasty things for him. 

CSN Christmas Giveaway Winner

 T-minus six hours until we leave for Disneyland. We're running around with our heads cut off right now - or, Mr. C is. I'm watching a Muppet Christmas Carol. 

Yeah, I know. Real mature. 

I guess this is as good of time as any to announce the CSN Christmas Giveaway Winner:

Debbie from Suburb Sanity - COME ON DOWN! 

I hope you spend your CSN electronic gift certificate on something you want, but didn't get under your tree. You'll be receiving your email soon! Yay you!

I hope everyone out there has a wonderful holiday time. I know we will (Mickey, here we come!)

CSN Christmas Giveaway

I think I've probably stated this before somewhere in the history of this blog: I'm really a Grinch when it comes to Christmas. As soon as the trees and decorations start going up in the malls and department stores, I'm ready to get my baa-humbug on. Big time. I dislike the massive cutting down of trees, and the trash that piles up on Boxing Day, and buying gifts for people who really don't need anything.

I'm sorry I'm totally ruining your spirit. But, don't worry. There is hope.

I do like some things about Christmas. I like spending time with the family. Eating, drinking, and shooting the shit. I'm all about that. Yes, at the time it might seem a little stressful. Cooking for the in-laws and cleaning out the spare room and schlepping that extra special stool from the basement so your Uncle Jack can get a seat right by the TV might seem like a whole lot of effort at the time. Once it's done, though, you know all your work was worth it.

I'm also really into the charity of the season. A lot of people are forgoing the snuggies and xboxs in order to move towards a better way of giving gifts. I'd recommend looking at charities like Child's Play, UNICEF's Gifts of Magic, and (my favourite) Donors Choose before going to ebay to hunt down that last minute gift.

Speaking of charity, our friends from CSN have decided to donate a $50 gift certificate to you! Hopefully this will really help someone who is struggling for the holidays. Buy yourself something for the kitchen so that you can feed your huge family. Get some toys for a local charity. Or find yourself something to help you keep your sanity this Christmas. Here's how you do it:

1. You must be a follower to enter. You also must live in the US or Canada.
2. Leave a comment letting me know a favourite charity of yours, or your favourite way to spend the holiday season. 
3. You can get another entry by twittering about this contest, and then leaving a separate comment here.

It's as easy as one, two, three! The contest ends the morning of the18th. Good luck. And don't be a Grinch (like me!)

Rugelach

Hanukkah is eight days because it usually takes that long for people to realize it's Hanukkah. True story.

Now that your menorah is almost fully lit, your gilt is piling up, and you've told your Bubbeh that, no, you're not going to get married to that nice Jewish boy down the hall, it's time to think of the food. Let's face it, not many Jewish holidays are about eating. A lot of them just make you feel guilty (Yom Kipper, I'm looking straight at you). In December, though, you finally get eat until your hearts content without thinking about remorse or atonement. Until you start counting calories. And start feeling remorse over all that holiday weight your thighs are packing on. (It's a never ending cycle, isn't it?)

Rugelach is one of my favourite desserts of this season. How could you go wrong when cream cheese is baked right into the dough. Yeah, I told you you'd feel guilty. But, don't worry. These things are tiny little bites of happiness and are so rich, that you'll only be able to eat one after dinner. Or two. Or five. Like Mr. C did last night.

Espresso Cocoa Cookies

December really snuck up on me. November was moving along just fine until bam - I had to start thinking about Christmas gifts and end-of-the-year plans. Since we're jetting off on the 18th, my holiday season has been cut in half. I now only have two week to get the shopping, baking, and random good-deeds done. I'm not a fan of that. I'd much rather just close my eyes tight and let it all just pass by. Except for the vacation part. I like that.

So how the heck do I get my butt in gear?