13 Top Flops of 2013 {or Should I Say BOTTOM 13 Posts of the Year??}

December 31, 2013


Well, here we are at the last day of 2013.  Earlier this week I shared the top 13 posts of the year from The Kitchen is My Playground, which is always my favorite post of the year to write.  I love going back through the year's posts and finding out what your favorites were.

Well, I also decided to take a little bit different view into the year this year ... and figured out the least viewed 13 posts of 2013, too.  You know, just for a little fun.  And so here they are ... the 13 Top Flops of 2013!
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Your Top 13 of 2013 {Most-Viewed Recipes of the Year!}

December 29, 2013


This is my favorite post to write each year!  I love to look back through the year's posts and see what your favorites have been.  I generally have a pretty good idea of what's popular with you from seeing the 'views' statistics each day, but when I go back through the entire year, there are always a few surprises for me!  One thing that's really surprised me for this year is there are a lot more savory recipes in your top picks than in previous years.  The top posts are usually about 95% sweets!

For the sweets you did put in the top 13 with your views, it's clear you sure love your no-bake treats!  Over half of the sweets to make the most-viewed list are no-bake ... And oh, are they yummy ones!

And so ... without further ado ... here are your The Kitchen is My Playground top 13 picks of 2013.  Enjoy!
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Champagne Margaritas {Happy New Year!}

December 27, 2013
Champagne Margaritas combine the wonderful flavors of champagne and margaritas in one fun cocktail ~ perfect for adding a unique twist to your New Year's Eve celebration, or to your random Tuesday.
CLICK HERE TO PIN THIS FOR LATER

Champagne Margaritas image


It's almost time to ring in the new year!

I truly can't believe 2013 is already headed out the door.  Where does time go??  Well, since time seems to go by so fast, I decided to begin my celebration of the changing of the year early ... and spent some time in the kitchen today with this Champagne Margarita.
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Adorable Rudolph & Snowmen Mini Donuts

December 24, 2013
With just a few simple steps, transform chocolate and powdered sugar mini donuts into adorable Rudolph and Snowman Mini Donuts for an extra special Christmas breakfast treat.


Merry Christmas to you!


I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!  In celebration of this very special day, I'm sharing today the adorable Rudolph and Snowmen mini donuts my Mom and I made last year for Christmas morning breakfast.  They're such a super cute little bite-sized treat.
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Christmas White Chocolate-Peppermint Potato Chips

December 19, 2013
For a quick and easy last-minute Christmas treat, these White Chocolate Peppermint Potato Chips fit the bill!  They're the perfect sweet-and-salty flavor combination we love.
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Christmas White Chocolate-Peppermint Potato Chips image


Holy cow, there are only five more days to get ready for Christmas day!  I am soooooooo not ready.

I have a lot of last minute stuff to do ... like wrap all my presents ... figure out what to make for our family Christmas Eve get-together at my parents' house ... actually make what I'm bringing for our family Christmas Eve get-together at my parents' house ... oh, yeah, and actually finish my Christmas shopping.

Fortunately, I have a last-minute trick up my sleeve to share with you.
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Easy 3-Ingredient Cinnamon Ornaments

December 15, 2013
Looking for a kid-friendly homemade ornament for gift giving or decorating at home?  Look no further.  Classic Cinnamon Ornaments are the perfect easy homemade ornament project for little ones.  Plus, they smell as good as they look! (If not even better, that is.)
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Easy 3-Ingredient Cinnamon Ornaments Image

I belong to a group Pinterest board called 'It's Beginning to Smell Like Christmas' ... and with these Cinnamon Ornaments around, that's certainly true!  

Chock full of ground cinnamon, these kid-friendly homemade ornaments smell absolutely wonderful.
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Gingerbread Magic Cookies

December 8, 2013
Love magic cookies?  Then you'll go crazy for this gingerbread Christmas version of the classic!  That's right, it's Gingerbread Magic Cookies, complete with a gingerbread crust, cinnamon chips, and white chocolate.  It's just as good as the original ... hmmmm, perhaps even better!
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Gingerbread Magic Cookies Image


It just so happens that classic 7-Layer {Magic} Cookies are a staple of my mother-in-law's Christmas day cookie tray.  So when I decided to mess around with the original classic magic cookie recipe to create a more "Christmas-y" version, I braced myself to catch some grief from my husband.

I mean, mess with a classic from his Mom?  What was I thinking, right?
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White Chocolate Peppermint Eggnog

December 6, 2013
Enjoy a minty mugful of White Chocolate Peppermint Eggnog this holiday season.  It's an easy and deliciously fun festive treat.
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Mug of White Chocolate Peppermint Eggnog Image


Candy canes are one of those age-old symbols the Christmas season is upon us.  And who can resist those festive little red-and-white-striped beauties?

Well actually, ... me.  I can totally resist a plain old candy cane.  In fact, I have absolutely zero desire to chow down on one.  But crush one up and put it in something? -- Now you're talking!  Candy canes in stuff are candy canes I can get excited about.

Like candy canes in this deliciously creamy White Chocolate Peppermint Eggnog.

Though I do have a candy cane question.  What's happened to the good old traditional red-and-white-striped peppermint candy cane?

Enjoy a minty mugful of White Chocolate Peppermint Eggnog this holiday season.  It's an easy and deliciously fun festive treat.

I was shopping the other day and needed to grab a package of candy canes for this White Chocolate Peppermint Eggnog and for some of my holiday baking.  And I have to say, I had the hardest time finding a package of "regular" candy canes!

I swear, I must have walked up and down the Christmas candy aisle three or four times, all to no avail.

Peppermint-chocolate candy canes ... check.
Cinnamon red hot candy canes ... check.
Fruity candy canes ... check.
Life Savers 5 Flavors candy canes ... check.
Sweet Tarts candy canes ... check.
Sour Patch candy canes ... check.

Traditional red-and-white-striped peppermint candy canes ... nowhere to be seen.

After much searching, I did finally find one little display of just-your-basic plain candy cane.  Who knew it would be such a shopping challenge?

White Chocolate Peppermint Eggnog with Candy Cane Garnish

So then I went home and enjoyed some of those traditional, plain candy canes in a big mug of this White Chocolate Peppermint Eggnog.

And a mug full of this holiday deliciousness was just what I needed after finishing up my shopping trip.

White Chocolate Peppermint Eggnog Topped with Whipped Cream and Crushed Candy Canes

To make this little cup of peppermint holiday heaven, simply combine some eggnog, white chocolate chips, and crushed candy canes in a saucepan.  Then heat the mixture gently until the white chocolate and candy cane pieces melt.

That's it!  That's truly all there is to preparing this fun and festive eggnog drink.  

Serve it up warm with a squirt of whipped cream and coarsely crushed candy canes on top for a fun little Christmas treat.  It's a tad bit sweet, a good bit minty, and a whole lot delicious.

To finish it up, grab a {good old traditional} candy cane, dunk it in, and a enjoy a big old minty mugful of White Chocolate Peppermint Eggnog!


Christmas drink recipe, peppermint eggnog recipe, eggnog recipe, candy cane eggnog, recipes with candy canes
Beverages
American
Yield: about 4-6 servings

White Chocolate Peppermint Eggnog

White Chocolate Peppermint Eggnog

Enjoy a minty mugful of White Chocolate Peppermint Eggnog this holiday season. It's an easy and deliciously fun festive treat.
prep time: 5 Mcook time: 10 Mtotal time: 15 M

ingredients:

  • 1 quart eggnog
  • 3/4 c. white chocolate chips
  • 1/3 c. crushed candy canes
  • whipped cream
  • coarsely chopped candy canes {for sprinkling on top}

instructions:

How to cook White Chocolate Peppermint Eggnog

  1. Combine eggnog, white chocolate chips, and crushed candy canes in a saucepan over low heat. Heat, stirring constantly, until white chocolate has melted and the mixture is heated through.
  2. Serve warm, topped with whipped cream and sprinkled with coarsely chopped candy cane pieces.
Created using The Recipes Generator

You might also like these other peppermint Christmas treats: 

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Overnight Praline French Toast

December 2, 2013
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of PAM Cooking Spray.
With assemble-ahead ease and a decadently delicious pecan-and-brown-sugar topping baked on top, this Overnight Praline French Toast is a perfect holiday brunch or breakfast treat!  And PAM Cooking Spray helps make sure it comes out right every time.
Overnight Praline French Toast   www.thekitchenismyplayground.com


I work hard on my holiday baking and cooking.  And I'm sure you do, too.  With all the hustle and bustle and extra-goings-on of the holiday season, I don't have time for my creations to get messed up.  I've got to get them right the first time!
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