Top 10 of 2014 (Happy New Year!)

Another year, another countdown of my top posts (as tabulated by Google Analytics). 

I want to thank everyone that looks at my recipes, drools over my pictures, tests, and comments.  You’re the ones I do this for.  Although, I’d probably still do this if no one read my blog, but you sure make it nicer.
  
Have a great New Year!

10. Torta Caprese (Flourless Chocolate Hazelnut Cake) from December 12
9. Game Of Thrones: House Stark Cake from April 6
8. Orange Cornmeal Cake With Coronation Grape Sauce from October 14 
7. Game Of Thrones: House Lannister Cake from May 4
6. Pear Ginger Sparkle And Spice from November 14 
5. Burnt Orange Cocktail from March 3
4. Game Of Thrones: House Targaryen Cake from June 1
3. Roasted Beet Scones from March 16
2. Downton Abbey: Tea and Honey Macarons from March 22
1. Butterscotch Buttermilk Cake With Mascarpone Frosting from January 16

Burnt Caramel Fig Cheesecake

At my parent’s house for New Year’s Eve there was always cheesecake.  I actually thought it was a Polish tradition for a long time, but it turns out it was just my mom’s tradition.  Either way, I associate cheesecake with the New Year and that’s clearly a good thing.  Especially when your cheesecake is rich, creamy, and dripping with a deep, dark caramel sauce. 

Fresh Cranberry Cosmo

So you were excited and bought a bag of fresh cranberries to make some homemade cranberry sauce for your Holiday dinner.  Then, you realized, you don’t have time for that!  
You don’t have time for anything!  What are you going to do with that bag of cranberries? Ahem, may I suggest a cocktail?

Holiday Table

This is the table setting I used for a party I hosted earlier in November.  Although not intended for a Holiday tabletop, I think it would work very well.  The leaves running down the center of the table and the individual leaves on the menus could always be replaced with some fir branches or pinecones for a very similar festive, wintery effect.

Torta Caprese (Flourless Chocolate Hazelnut Cake)

A couple weeks ago, we decided it was probably time to change to winter tires.  I offered to go with Alex; we could get brunch while waiting for the car and make a morning of it.  So we woke up early on a Saturday and made our way there.  We knew there was trouble as soon as the guy at the desk couldn’t find our name on the list.  Apparently our appointment was incorrectly booked for the day before, and we were stuck with no car, hoping that it would at least get done before closing at 7pm.