Top Five Most Popular Desserts of 2011

When I do my year in review, I don't usually single out a specific category of food because my stat counter doesn't count categories, only general activity and page views relating to specific posts.

But, because many of you have asked specifically for desserts.... well, who am I to question what you like to read about....or is the photos?

No matter. What's that line from the movie? "As you wish..."

So, I gathered all my stats, did the math and came up with the top five desserts that received the most hits during 2011.

Number 5: Chocolate Raspberry Panini - Originally posted February 15, 2009

I made a simple pound cake from a box mix and sliced it. Then I covered one slice of the pound cake with squares of a Hershey bar and topped it with a few raspberries. I used a George Forman grill to brown both sides at the same time, but you could just as easily use a frying pan and brown both sides as you would a grilled cheese sandwich.
The pound cake is like a sweet toast. The chocolate gets all melty and oozey and the fruit is softened and luscious.

All I can say about this is.....Yum!

Number 4: Orange Mascarpone Tart - Originally posted December 26, 2010



We've made many dishes from Bon Appetit magazine and this is one of them.

I love the combination of the creaminess of the mascarpone cheese and the sweet freshness of the orange.

Although the original recipe called for the tart to be sprinkled with chopped pistachios, we didn't think they added much to the flavor of the tart, so the second time Tom made it he merely sprinkled it with shaved chocolate. Better.

Number 3: Sugar Donut Mini-Muffins - Originally posted February 26, 2010



One word: addicting.

You know those two-bite brownies you buy in a bag at the grocery store? Don't buy them. Make these.

Tender little mini-cupcakes with the texture of a moist cake donut, brushed with melted butter and rolled in cinnamon and sugar or even rolled in powdered sugar. Betcha can't eat just one.

Number 2: Oreo Cream Cheese Cupcakes - Originally posted January 30, 2010



What is it about Oreos that elicit such love?

I don't know a faithful blog reader who doesn't collect a cache of recipes containing Oreos.

And every food blogger I know tries to create some new dessert using Oreos. I'm certainly not any different.

I've added crushed Oreos to brownies. I made these Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie 'n' Oreo 'n' Fudge Brownie Bars



And I've even made this Oreo Cookie Cake, the recipe for which I've never posted. But that's another post.



And Number 1 ~ You guessed it: Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie - Originally posted April 27, 2011



Can you say 'sugar induced coma'?

It's still a favorite in many readers' households.

So what's in store for 2012? I'm good at keeping secrets so you'll just have to stay tuned.

Sugar Donut Mini-Muffins

A couple of weeks ago, I ran across a recipe for "Donut Muffins" on another food blog. I printed the recipe, but hesitated to make them because the recipe made 40 muffins, and believe me I don't need 40 muffins at my house.

This week, I found a similar recipe at Cinnamon Spice & Everything Nice, but the recipe produced a smaller batch and Reeni suggested using mini-muffin tins so you get some sugar with every bite.

I thought 28 little muffins would be better. After all, a little muffin is better portion control. Yes, it's portion control if you eat one little muffin. But how bad can two of those little muffins be? Or even three. Com'on, they're small!

These little guys are dangerously delicious! See those 12 little muffins on the plate...



Those are all that are left of the 28 muffins I baked yesterday! So much for portion control.

Sugar Donut Muffins
(adapted from Cinnamon Spice & Everything Nice)

For Donuts:

• ¾ cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1½ cups all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• ¾ cup milk (I used 2% low fat)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Sugar Coating:

• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• ¾ cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon (if desired)

Note: Use one tray for regular sized muffins (makes about 10 muffins). Use 3 trays for the mini-muffins (makes about 28 mini-muffins).

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Lightly grease muffin tin(s) with cooking spray or vegetable oil.

In a large bowl, beat together sugar and egg until light in color.

In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and nutmeg. Pour into the egg mixture and stir to combine. Pour in the vegetable oil, milk and vanilla extract.

Divide the batter evenly into 10 muffin cups (about ¾ full) or 28 mini-muffin cups (about ¾ full).

For larger muffins, bake 15-18 minutes, until tester comes out clean. For mini-muffins, bake about 14-15 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.

While the muffins are baking, melt the butter in a small bowl. Pour the remaining sugar a separate small bowl and mix with the cinnamon, if you are using it.

When the muffins are done, remove each one from the pan, lightly brush the top, sides and bottom with some melted butter and roll in the sugar mixture. Cool on a wire rack.

Additional Notes:

• I made the mini-muffins as suggested because they were easy to roll and you get a bite of sugar in every bite (Thanks for that tip Cinnamon Girl!!)
• The donuts will not get very golden brown, so be sure to check them even if they don't look done.
• You could also use plain powdered sugar if you like powdered sugar donuts.
• Next time I am going to also try a donut glaze on some of them.

PRINT THE RECIPE HERE