Countdown to 2012: Best Desserts of 2011

This is the day we’ve been waiting for all week!  One more day until 2012… that means, it’s dessert day! 

I don’t know about you – but I’ve really enjoyed finding so much recipe inspiration for breakfasts, breads, soups, main dishes, and using my crockpot more.

Thanks so much for participating in counting down to 2012.  It’s been such a great year – here’s to another wonderful one in 2012!  Can’t wait to count down to 2013 with all of you next year. 

*            *            *

I had a terrible time picking our family favorite best dessert recipes of 2011.  In fact, we made so many new ice cream recipes (and I LOVED all of them) that I contemplated dividing my dessert category in half.  Alas, they are all here – hopefully it’s not a sweets overload:

1. Dark Chocolate Cherry Dessert
2. Whole Wheat Sweet Potato Gingersnaps
3. Frozen Lemon Tart
4. Rainy Saturday Oatmeal Cookies
5. Carvel Ice Cream Cake
6. Dark Chocolate Toffee Bites
7. Apple Pie with Crumble Topping
8. Strawberry Kiwi Fruit Pizza
9. Raspberry Frozen Yogurt
10. Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
11. Apple Cinnamon Spice Ice Cream
12. The Best Brownies Ever
13. Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake Squares
14. Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
15. Sweetened Condensed Milk Ice Cream
16. Olympic Cookies
17. Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream with Dark Chocolate Bites
18. Peppermint Candy Cane Ice Cream {with hot fudge!}

Now it’s your turn. Link up a post containing a recap of your favorite dessert recipes from 2011, or link up an individual top recipe choice. 

Please make sure to include a link back to the Countdown here on Finding Joy in My Kitchen so others can find the party & share their favorites.  You can do this by including the countdown button in your post:

<a href="http://joyinmykitchen.blogspot.com " target="_blank"><img src=" https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VbEVMUjhN__qZyZuJuRnpO_hWUfmoBES8jc1hWn_5qgLG5dv9d75061HxvK4x5zvXANOCW352UzOTMfYOxNMj0Lb6wFQ53U8gTmDqFDvncEjga_vSNeLipBkRFzLRsDC_J2bPhTT6m9w/s300/Countdown_Button_2011.jpg " alt=" Countdown to 2011 with Finding Joy in My Kitchen" width="125" height="125" /></a>

And… Happy New Years Eve!!  I’ll see you in 2012!

Countdown to 2012: Best Crockpot Recipes of 2011

Did you know the crockpot is the most efficient appliance you have in your kitchen?!  That alone should prompt you to take it out of the cupboard, dust it off and put it to great use in 2012.  Did you know that you can use it for breakfasts? Breads? Soups? and even desserts?  Hopefully this link up will help you find recipes to try in 2012. 

Here are our favorite crockpot eats from this year:

1. Crockpot Ziti
2. Crockpot Baked Beans
3. Healthier Crockpot Sloppy Joes
4. Crockpot Chicken Cheesesteaks
5. Crockpot Pumpkin Apple Spice Cake 

I can’t wait to see your best crockpot recipes from this past year.  Link up a post containing a recap of your best crockpot recipes from 2011, or link up an individual top recipe choice.  If you have recipes for the other days this week, link up to best breakfast, breads, soup & main dishes… and don’t forget to come back tomorrow for dessert!

Please make sure to include a link back to the Countdown here on Finding Joy in My Kitchen so others can find the party & share their favorites.  You can do this by including the countdown button in your post:

<a href="http://joyinmykitchen.blogspot.com " target="_blank"><img src=" https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VbEVMUjhN__qZyZuJuRnpO_hWUfmoBES8jc1hWn_5qgLG5dv9d75061HxvK4x5zvXANOCW352UzOTMfYOxNMj0Lb6wFQ53U8gTmDqFDvncEjga_vSNeLipBkRFzLRsDC_J2bPhTT6m9w/s300/Countdown_Button_2011.jpg " alt=" Countdown to 2011 with Finding Joy in My Kitchen" width="125" height="125" /></a>

Countdown to 2012: Best Main Dishes of 2011

I hope you all are enjoying this countdown as much as I am!  Your recipes are really fantastic, and I’m feeling inspired to try new dishes in 2012.

Be sure to check out the best breakfast, breads & soup recipes from 2011 if you haven’t already.  Or, check them out on Pinterest!

Today’s theme is BEST MAIN DISHES of 2011.  Vegetarian, meaty… bring them all to cook up some delicious dinners.

We made some delicious dinner recipes over the past year – #1, 3, 6, 8 & 14 are real standouts in our house. 

1. Make-Ahead Spinach Pasta Bake
2. Calzones – Spinach & Mushroom
3. Roasted Garden Vegetable Lasagna
4. Vegetable Risotto
5. Rigatoni with Stewed Vegetables
6. Zucchini Pizza Casserole {gluten-free}
7. Butternut Squash Pasta
8. Balsamic Crusted Chicken and Wild Rice Pepper Salad
9. Smokehouse Maple Fajitas and Grilled Potato Fries
10. Zucchini Burgers
11. Pizza Pockets
12. Tater Tot Hotdish with homemade tater tots
13. Garden Vegetable Ricotta Pizza
14. Parmesan Crusted Chicken with a Crème Sauce
and, a bonus holiday recipe: Bacon-Infused Self-Basting Turkey & Gravy!

Link up a post containing a recap of your best main dish recipes from 2011, or link up an individual top recipe choice. 

Please make sure to include a link back to the Countdown here on Finding Joy in My Kitchen so others can find the party & share their favorites.  You can do this by including the countdown button in your post:

<a href="http://joyinmykitchen.blogspot.com " target="_blank"><img src=" https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VbEVMUjhN__qZyZuJuRnpO_hWUfmoBES8jc1hWn_5qgLG5dv9d75061HxvK4x5zvXANOCW352UzOTMfYOxNMj0Lb6wFQ53U8gTmDqFDvncEjga_vSNeLipBkRFzLRsDC_J2bPhTT6m9w/s300/Countdown_Button_2011.jpg " alt=" Countdown to 2011 with Finding Joy in My Kitchen" width="125" height="125" /></a>

Countdown to 2012: Best Soups & Stews of 2011

This week has already been so much fun!  Have you found any new recipes you will need to try? 

It’s not too late to join in – Monday was breakfast day, and Tuesday was all about bread; those links are still open.  Also, be sure to follow on Pinterest too!   

Today’s theme is BEST SOUPS & STEWS of 2011:

1. Roasted Vegetable Minestrone
2. Crockpot Italian Sausage Vegetable Soup
3. Crockpot Vegetable Beef Stew with Brown Rice
4. Cheese-Crusted Lasagna Soup
5. Cheesy Vegetable Soup
6. Turkey & Pepper Stew

I can’t wait to see your best soups & stew recipes; soups & stews are some of our favorite things to eat in the winter & we could use new recipes.  Link up a post containing a recap of your best soup & stew recipes from 2011, or link up an individual top recipe choice. 

Please make sure to include a link back to the Countdown here on Finding Joy in My Kitchen so others can find the party & share their favorites.  You can do this by including the countdown button in your post:

<a href="http://joyinmykitchen.blogspot.com " target="_blank"><img src=" https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VbEVMUjhN__qZyZuJuRnpO_hWUfmoBES8jc1hWn_5qgLG5dv9d75061HxvK4x5zvXANOCW352UzOTMfYOxNMj0Lb6wFQ53U8gTmDqFDvncEjga_vSNeLipBkRFzLRsDC_J2bPhTT6m9w/s300/Countdown_Button_2011.jpg " alt=" Countdown to 2011 with Finding Joy in My Kitchen" width="125" height="125" /></a>

Countdown to 2012: Best Bread Recipes of 2011

Thanks so much to all of you who joined in yesterday!  I’ve been drooling over the many delicious breakfast recipes I’ll have to add to our menu plan for 2012.  If you missed yesterday, feel free to link up today.   

Be sure to follow our Best Recipes of 2011 Pinterest Board – I am trying to pin all the recipes that get linked up here this week. 

The rest of the week includes:

{today} Breads
{28th} Soups & Stews
{29th} Main Dishes
{30th} Crockpot Favs
{31st} Desserts

Hope you’ll join us! 

Today’s theme is BEST BREADS of 2011:

1. Whole Wheat Honey Oatmeal Bread
2. Oatmeal Tea Bread
3. Olive Garden Bread Sticks
4. Savory Zucchini Bread
5. Raspberry Blueberry Banana Bread/Muffins
6. Sweet Potato Dark Chocolate Cranberry Bread
7. Grandma’s Cinnamon Sugar Bread
8. Whole Wheat Buttermilk Bread
9. Rustic Apple Bread

I can’t wait to see your best bread recipes.  Link up a post containing a recap of your best bread recipes from 2011, or link up an individual bread recipe that your family loves. 

Please make sure to include a link back to the Countdown here on Finding Joy in My Kitchen so others can find the party & share their favorites.  You can do this by including the countdown button in your post:

<a href="http://joyinmykitchen.blogspot.com " target="_blank"><img src=" https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VbEVMUjhN__qZyZuJuRnpO_hWUfmoBES8jc1hWn_5qgLG5dv9d75061HxvK4x5zvXANOCW352UzOTMfYOxNMj0Lb6wFQ53U8gTmDqFDvncEjga_vSNeLipBkRFzLRsDC_J2bPhTT6m9w/s300/Countdown_Button_2011.jpg " alt=" Countdown to 2011 with Finding Joy in My Kitchen" width="125" height="125" /></a>

Countdown to 2012: Best Breakfast Recipes

Hope you all had a blessed & joyful Christmas!  Frog Prince and I had a wonderful time with family – both near & far, and are very much looking forward to a continued week of R&R. 

Today, we are kicking off our countdown to 2012 by sharing our best recipes of 2011 with you.  Today’s theme is the BEST BREAKFAST RECIPES of 2011!  Here are our top picks:

1. Homemade Greek Yogurt
2. Goody Poody Pancakes
3. Whole Wheat Buttermilk Pancakes
4. Pumpkin Pancakes with Apple Topping
5. Sweet Potato Baked Oatmeal with Craisins
6. Make Ahead Brunch Bake
7. Apple Cider Doughnut Holes
8. Waffles of Insane Greatness
9. Chicken Spinach Quiche
10. Cinnamon Roll Baked Oatmeal Cups

I can’t wait to see your best recipes.  Link up a post containing a recap of your best breakfast recipes from 2011, or link up an individual top recipe choice. 

Please make sure to include a link back to the Countdown here on Finding Joy in My Kitchen so others can find the party & share their favorites.  You can do this by including the countdown button in your post:

<a href="http://joyinmykitchen.blogspot.com " target="_blank"><img src=" https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VbEVMUjhN__qZyZuJuRnpO_hWUfmoBES8jc1hWn_5qgLG5dv9d75061HxvK4x5zvXANOCW352UzOTMfYOxNMj0Lb6wFQ53U8gTmDqFDvncEjga_vSNeLipBkRFzLRsDC_J2bPhTT6m9w/s300/Countdown_Button_2011.jpg " alt=" Countdown to 2011 with Finding Joy in My Kitchen" width="125" height="125" /></a>

 

All week long, I’ll be pinning the recipes on “THE BEST RECIPES OF 2011” Board.  Be sure to follow along!

Menu Plan–December 26

Christmas was a delightful time with family  celebrating Christ’s birth!  Every year I am amazed at God becoming a man in Christ Jesus, and being born into this world.  We serve an awesome God!!

We have been so blessed with delicious food over the past few days – Christmas munchies, yummy crockpot chicken chili and crockpot boeuf bourguignon served alongside French bread.  You can see our menu from last week, here. 

Hope you will join us this week in counting down to 2012 with our best recipes of 2011!  Today is breakfast day… and there are some good ones coming your way in a couple of hours. 

One other fun announcement … I won a National Pie Contest for my favorite Sweet Potato Pie with Gingersnap Crust & Spiced Whipped Cream! 

Check your local Christmas Day paper for the Parade Magazine to see the other winners. 

Okay… now, onto our menu.  Simple soup recipes, lots of veggies, less sugar!   

Monday
Leftover Christmas Eggs and Gingerbread Cranberry Scones {new}
Italian Sausage Vegetable Tortellini Soup {new}, Sweet Potato Biscuits {freezer}

Tuesday
Granola, dried fruit
Mushroom & Spinach Calzones

Wednesday
Apple Pancakes {new}
Baked Potato Soup or 30-Minute White Bean Chicken Chili Soup {new}

Thursday
Granola, dried fruit
Leftovers

Friday
Overnight Angel Biscuits {new}
Lentil Minestrone Soup {new} or Sausage & Lentil Soup {new}

Saturday – NYE
Veggie Omelet
Taco Dip
Busy Day Soup
Crackers & Cheese
Sweet Potato Dip {new}

Find more great menus at OrgJunkie’s Menu Plan Monday!

Merry Christmas!

 

He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line
of his servant David, just as he promised
through his holy prophets long ago.

Luke 2:69-70

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I am so thankful for each of you, and your readership & friendship.  Thanks for being a part of our kitchen. 

From Frog Prince & I, we wish you a very blessed & Merry Christmas!

We’ll be taking a couple days off to celebrate Christ’s Birthday – but we’ll return bright and early Monday morning for our Countdown to 2012!  Can’t wait to see you there. 

Friday Favorite Finds #90

Hello Friends!!  Can you believe, Christmas is almost here?!  I’m so excited I can hardly wait.  We had our Christmas service at church already {Wednesday & Thursday nights} and it was wonderful.  Nothing like reflecting on the gift of Christmas through song, story and speech.  I continue to be in awe of how much God loves us! 

Well, today’s Friday Favorite Finds is the last one for 2011!  Next Friday, we’ll be in our Countdown to 2012… which I really hope you’ll join us for!  All you need to do is come and link up a post with your favorite recipes from 2011.  Each day has a theme and you can find the schedule and other details here.  We’ll pick up with FFF after the new year. 

Italian Sausage Vegetable Soup with Tortellini

Source: cookinchemist.blogspot.com via FindingJoyInMyKitchen on Pinterest

 

White Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cheesecake

Source: bakedbyrachel.com via FindingJoyInMyKitchen on Pinterest

 

Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes

Source: whatmegansmaking.com via FindingJoyInMyKitchen on Pinterest

 

Veggie Christmas Pizza

Source: recipeshoebox.blogspot.com via FindingJoyInMyKitchen on Pinterest

 

Oatmeal Cheesecake Orange Cranberry Bars

Source: thesweetslife.com via FindingJoyInMyKitchen on Pinterest

 

Gingerbread Cranberry Scones

Source: afarmgirlsdabbles.com via FindingJoyInMyKitchen on Pinterest

 

Overnight Angel Biscuits

Source: cinnamonspiceandeverythingnice.com via FindingJoyInMyKitchen on Pinterest

 

Peppermint Dipped Sugar Cookies

Source: nathanandrachelatwood.blogspot.com via FindingJoyInMyKitchen on Pinterest

 

f you were featured, feel free to grab the button below!

Can’t wait to see your finds from this week – link up your post of the recipes you found this week. 

Please link up to a post containing your list of recipes to try -- do not link up individual recipes please, save those for other linkys.  Be sure to leave a link back here to Finding Joy in My Kitchen.

Crispy Marshmallow Squares: 3 Ways

My dad’s FAVORITE {okay, maybe second favorite} Christmas treat is a gooey chocolate peanut butter bar that my mom calls a “Nut Goodie Bar”. 

She still makes these bars every year for my dad.  But this year, when I saw Lynn’s recipe for Crispy Marshmallow Squares, I got inspired to try making delicious bars without the nuts! 

We tried one with just dark chocolate and one with dark chocolate & mint {oh my!}, and because I know many of you can eat peanuts, I’ll also how I thought to adapt this recipe towards a “Nut Goodie Bar” taste.  You’ll have to try it and let me know how it is! 

This recipe is incredibly simple and the add-in possibilities are nearly endless.  I think we’ll try them again adding in dried tart cherries along with the dark chocolate and marshmallows. 

Crispy Marshmallow Squares 1.0 – From Lynn’s Kitchen Adventures

Ingredients

• 3 C Rice Krispies {brown rice preferred}
• 3 C Dark Chocolate Chips
• 2- 3 C Marshmallows, mini

Crispy Marshmallow Squares 2.0 – Adapted from Lynn’s Kitchen Adventures

Ingredients

• 3 C Rice Krispies {brown rice preferred}
• 3 C Mint Chocolate Chips
• 2- 3 C Marshmallows, mini

Crispy Marshmallow Squares 3.0 – Inspired by Lynn’s Kitchen Adventures

Ingredients

• 2 C Rice Krispies {brown rice preferred}
• 1 C peanuts {optional; if you omit, increase rice cereal to 3 C}
• 3 C Chocolate & Peanut Butter Swirl Chocolate Chips {Nestle Brand makes these}; alternatively 1 1/2 C peanut butter chips and 1 1/2 C Chocolate chips
• 2-3 C Marshmallows, mini

Directions for all three versions

Begin by preparing a 9x13 glass baking dish.  To do so – you can either spray the baking dish with cooking spray, or line it with parchment paper.  Set aside. 

Next up, in a large heat-proof bowl, pour the chocolate chips. 

Place the chocolate chips into the microwave and heat for 30 seconds at a time {you may need to do this at 50% power}, stirring after each 30 second interval.  When they are mostly melted, just continue stirring, allowing the heat in the melted chips to melt the others.  In total, you’ll likely need ~2 minutes to melt the chocolate chips.

Measure out the rice krispies and marshmallows {and peanuts, if making this version}. 

Add these to the melted chocolate. 

Stir until the chocolate coats the cereal mix. 

Don’t taste.  Or, try not to!

Spread into your prepared 9x13 baking dish. 

Allow the bars to cool and harden.  Cut and serve. 

Store extras in an airtight container for around 1 week.  After that the chocolate gets harder and harder… if you keep them around longer, simply warm them a bit before eating to soften the chocolate. 

Linked to: Full Plate Thursday, URS

Mint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved Chocolate Crinkle Cookies.  My mom used to make them each Christmas and I was a good helper in the kitchen.  The recipe came from the famous Betty Crocker Cookie Cookbook.  The first edition. 

Last year, my good friend Sara shared her version of these cookies and I fell in love with chocolate crinkles all over again.  This year, I decided to make those delicious brownie-like cookies again, only this time, swapping out Andes Mint Baking Chips for the dark chocolate ones.  Oh. My. 

If you love mint & chocolate, these cookies are for you. 

Mint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies - Adapted from Sara

Ingredients

• 6 T butter
• 3/4 C sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 1 C dark chocolate chips
• 1/2 C {heaping} Andes Mint Chips
• 1 1/2 C white whole wheat flour
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 4 T powdered sugar

Directions

Melt 1 C chocolate chips until smooth. To do so, place the chocolate chips in a microwave safe container, and warm 30 seconds at a time, stirring after each interval.  When smooth and melted, allow the chocolate chips to sit on the counter to cool down a little bit.   

While the chocolate cools just a bit, mix the flour, baking powder and salt together in a medium bowl.

Cream together butter & sugar, add eggs 1 at a time.  Then, add in the vanilla or peppermint extract (your choice). 

Add the melted chocolate to the egg mixture. When combined, add in the flour mixture. Blend well.  Note: the dough will be quite thick. 

Stir in the Andes Mint Chips into the dough. 

Chill the dough for 15 minutes before the next step. 

Using a cookie scoop, scoop out dough balls 1 1/2 - 2 T in size.  Set aside. 

Place 2-4 T of powdered sugar into a container with sides.  Drop the dough balls in and roll around to coat the cookies with powdered sugar. 

At this point, you can freeze the dough for baking later, or go ahead and bake them right away.  These cookies are best fresh, so I recommend making what you’ll consume in a day or two, and save the rest of the dough until later. 

To bake, place the cookie dough balls onto a lightly greased cookie sheet.  The cookies will spread out a bit, so place the dough balls about 2 inches apart from one another. 

Bake the cookies at 350 for 8-10 minutes, or until the outside edges are just set.  The center will be soft, and that’s just fine.  In fact, these are one cookie you don’t want to over bake! 

Allow the cookies to cool on the cookie sheet for 3-4 minutes and then remove them to a cooling rack. 

The mint wrapped up inside this dark chocolate cookie is delightful!  A pleasant surprise to the taste buds. 

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