In the meantime you can re-visit some old favorites that I think would be perfect for Valentine’s Day!

Chocolate Bread Pudding For Two

Loads of chocolate, you can make it ahead of time, and it serves two. What could be more perfect for Valentine’s Day?

Dark Chocolate Truffles

Speaking of chocolate, truffles are about as chocolate-y as it gets. This recipe is for making coconut or Bailey’s flavored truffles (or both).

Cocoa Brownies with Browned Butter

If brownies are more your thing, these brownies are my favorites. They’re easy to make and you can make them even more Valentine’s Day-ish by cutting them out with a heart-shaped cookie cutter. Awwww.

Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies

Guys love these cookies, but so do girls! Who needs traditional desserts? Anyone with an appreciation for salty / sweet treats will dig these cookies.

Champagne Cream Puffs

I think I recommend these cream puffs for every occasion, but that’s because they’re amazing and because they’re perfect for any occasion that champagne is perfect for, which is pretty much all of them.

Mini Vanilla Bean Cupcakes with Strawberry Buttercream and Strawberry Cheesecake Tartlets

What’s that? You and your snuggle-bunny don’t like chocolate? These lovely pink frosted strawberry vanilla cupcakes and strawberry red cheesecakes ought to fit the bill, then.

(But seriously, are you sure you don’t like chocolate?)

Last but not least, here are some craving-worthy treats from other blogs:

Pink champagne cupcakes for two from Sweet Peony
Blood orange curd-filled beet doughnuts from Use Real Butter
Nutella love letter pancakes from Kitchen Simplicity
Heart Shaped Chocolate Raspberry Cream Cakes by Zoe Bakes
Cherry Chocolate Malt Cookie Sandwiches from Back to the Cutting Board

I can hardly believe it myself, but 2011 is almost at an end. It’s been a great year here on my little blog. I’ve connected with so many great people through this site. I just love sharing my cravings and food obsessions with all of you. Apparently a lot of you have the same obsessions and cravings. Is it any wonder I like you so much?

In case you’re new here (or like me seem to have blinked and missed all of 2011), I’m going to re-cap the top posts of 2011 – including my personal favorite, which is perfect for New Year’s celebrations!

Caramel Apple Pie Cupcakes

I knew I had made some fantastic cupcakes once I tasted these, but I never expected the recipe to be so popular. These cupcakes were not only the most popular recipe of 2011, but they’re the most popular recipe I’ve shared on this site since it started in 2009!

Broccoli and White Cheddar Mac & Cheese

Close on the heels of the Caramel Apple Pie Cupcakes, it’s mac & cheese with spicy pepper jack, white cheddar and broccoli. I whipped this up quickly one night and decided to share it because I loved the flavors together. It turns out you guys love mac & cheese just as mush as I do!

Peaches & Vanilla Cream Pops

Fresh local peaches, greek yogurt, vanilla bean and a touch of bourbon. It’s not hard to imagine why these pops were so popular this year!

Chewy Lemon Sugar Cookies

These chewy, lemony cookies were a big hit with my coworkers, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that you loved them too. I really need to make more of these soon!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars

These decadent bars were one of my favorites this year, so I’m glad to see them squeeze into the top 5. I mean, really, you can’t go wrong when chocolate, peanut butter and pretzels are combined, but I also love that they’re no-bake and can be made using just the microwave!

And last but not least – my favorite 2011 recipe and a perfect treat for New Year’s…

Champagne Cream Puffs

When I originally published this recipe I wrote, “I know it’s only January, but I’m pretty sure these will be the best things I will eat in all of 2011.” I dared to call it only 4 days into 2011, but I was right. These Champagne Cream Puffs were my absolute favorite recipe in 2011 – and believe me, they had some stiff competition! Just a word of advice – if you make them, make sure there’s someone around to share them with. They are extremely delicious and pop-able, so you might just polish them all off by yourself!

Have a safe and happy New Year! See you in 2012 with more delicious and crave-able recipes.

Lemon Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies
An annual favorite and almost always the first to disappear from the cookie tray.

Dark Chocolate Truffles
Make truffles with Bailey’s in them, then cover with snowy powdered sugar. Instant holiday hit.

“Thin Mint” Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
Super addictive, so make a lot. I think they’re better than the Girl Scout version.

Molasses Cookies
The photo really doesn’t do them justice, but until I can take a new one just know that these are some of my favorite cookies OF ALL TIME.

Fudgy Triple Chocolate Bliss Cookies
As much chocolate as I could legally cram into one cookie. These are to-die-for.

Holiday Peppermint “Oreos”
Very similar to those holiday cookies you find at that ultra-trendy grocery store that I live nowhere near. In other words, delicious.

And don’t forget to check out these favorites from other food bloggers!

Mint-Chocolate Bottom Shortbread Cookies – Back to the Cutting Board
Molasses Spice Cookies with Orange Sugar – Back to the Cutting Board
Rugelach – Flavia’s Flavors
Parmesan-Black Pepper Biscotti – Flavia’s Flavors
Snickerdoodles – Flavia’s Flavors

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal

Ready to eat in minutes, great for using up leftover pumpkin and it tastes a lot like pumpkin pie. It’s a no-brainer.

Spiced Apple Bundt Cake

A cake that tastes equally great for breakfast or dessert. Super easy to make and it travels well too.

Cranberry Upside-Down Coffee Cake

It’s cranberry season! And I love this coffee cake.

Cinnamon Glazed Pumpkin Cookies

Full of fall flavors and extremely addictive. Don’t skip the cinnamon glaze!

Apple Cranberry Caramel Tarts

Simple ingredients transformed into something amazing. Can’t wait to make these again!

Baked Pumpkin Spice Donut Holes

Ok, they’re really muffins rolled in cinnamon and sugar, but that’s just details. What you really need to know is that they’re pop-able and addictive, and you should probably make a second batch.

White Bean & Chicken Chili

Comfort food at its finest. Warms you from the inside out.

Cinnamon Sugar Pecans
Looking for a pre-dinner snack that’s quick and not too filling? These salty sweet cinnamon sugar pecans are great for munching!

Low-Fat Ranch Dressing / Dip
Here’s another light recipe that comes together quickly and, paired with some fresh veggies, will give your guests something not too filling to snack on while dinner is cooking. Bored with Ranch? Try making your own light and flavorful tzatziki dip instead!

Bourbon Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry sauce is a must on most Thanksgiving tables and this is my absolute favorite recipe. If you like bourbon at all you’ll love this. If you don’t, try Flavia’s Grand Marnier version instead!

Apple Cranberry Caramel Tarts
Of course we can’t forget dessert! These tarts are packed with fall flavors, making them a great alternative to traditional pumpkin pie. I’m going to make a big 9″ tart for my family this year!

Cranberry Upside-Down Cake
If you have guests spending the night after the big meal, it’s nice to have a sweet but not too heavy breakfast treat for the next morning. This Cranberry Upside-Down Cake fits the bill, and it’s a great way to use up any leftover cranberries you have!

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal with Walnuts
A warm filling breakfast with lots of texture, unlike those mushy sugary packets you get at the store. Best of all, you can make it in 5 minutes or less!

Low-Fat Apple Spice Walnut Muffins
Moist, hearty apple muffins are great for just about any time of day, and they’re good for you too!

Cinnamon Glazed Pumpkin Cookies
I’m already craving pumpkin this year. These addictive cake-like cookies are a great way to get your pumpkin fix!

White Bean & Chicken Chili
One of my favorite comfort foods, this chicken chili is sure warm you up on chilly Fall evenings!

Apple Crisp with Cinnamon Ice Cream
Not quite ready to let go of summer yet? Bridge the gap between seasons with this amazing cinnamon ice cream on top of apple crisp.

Want to force a dad in your life to eat something yummy? Here are some dad approved recipes:

Chocolate Boston Cream Pie (from scratch)
A little bit labor intensive, but it’ll be a labor of love because it’s oh so worth it. If you start now, you’ll have all the parts ready to assemble on Sunday. This is a cake any chocolate lover will appreciate, and my dad loves chocolate.

Chocolate Chocolate Cupcakes
Not up to making a whole cake? Make these chocolatey cupcakes instead. Make the cupcake part of these Irish Carbomb Cupcakes (substituting coffee for the Guinness if you prefer) and top with this Chocolate Glaze. They travel well and they taste fantastic.

Best Ever Cinnamon Buns
Does your dad love breakfast? Mine does. You should make him these. Then he’ll love you too (not that he doesn’t already, I’m sure).

Key Lime Pie
Besides chocolate, my dad also loves Key Lime Pie. Makes a great ending for a dad inspired cookout, and it’s easy as pie to make. (Get it?)

Strawberry Cheesecake Tartlets
I realize tartlets aren’t very manly, but behind the girly name is a classic dessert – cheesecake topped with strawberry glaze and fresh strawberries. Fancy enough to impress and sure to be a crowd pleaser, they’re also easy to make ahead of time.

If these things won’t appeal to your dad, take a look through the Recipe Index to find something that will really make him feel loved.

Low-Fat Lemon Yogurt Cake
Super moist loaf cake with bright lemon flavor. Would be great for dessert or brunch. I like to eat a slice topped with fresh fruit, like these Mixed Berries with Limoncello.

Tomato, Onion & Goat Cheese Tarts
These tarts would be great for a small brunch! If you make the caramelized onions ahead of time, they’ll come together quickly. Pair with a fresh salad.

Perfect Birthday Cupcakes
Ok, I know these were originally birthday cupcakes, but the flavors would be great for any Spring or Easter celebration! A light lemony white cake, filled with raspberry jam and topped with silky smooth buttercream and (optional) coconut.

Baked Pineapple Casserole
Fact: The best side dish for Easter ham that ever existed.

Pineapple Angel Food Cupcakes
Light, airy, with crave-able sweet and sunny pineapple flavor. You can’t go wrong with this dessert!

While I’m mostly Italian and I mostly eat Italian inspired foods, I do have a little bit of Irish heritage. When I think of Irish food, I think of two things: Potatoes and Bailey’s Irish Cream. I love potatoes just about any way you make them – mashed, fried, baked, twice-baked, au gratin – and I’ll eat them any time of day. Just love them. As for the Bailey’s Irish Cream, well, if I could drink it with every meal I would.

So here are my potato and Bailey’s inspired recipes. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Bailey’s Dark Chocolate Truffles
Rich dark chocolate combined with Bailey’s in a melt-in-your-mouth smooth truffle. Heaven.

Bailey’s Brownies
Bailey’s and chocolate pair so well, why not make brownies? A little on the lighter side (for brownies, anyway) if you don’t wish to indulge too much.

Cheesy Potato Soup with Crispy Prosciutto
A hearty, warm and satisfying soup that will have you loving potatoes just as much as I do.

Irish Carbomb Cupcakes
Last but not at all least, rich chocolate cupcakes featuring both Guinness and Bailey’s Irish Cream. These are my favorite cupcakes in the whole wide world and I can’t think of a more delicious way to celebrate St. Patty’s Day!

Don’t worry though! I’m working on new recipes to share in 2010. It will just take me a little while to get everything together. In the meantime, why don’t you have a look at the most popular recipes from The Craving Chronicles in 2009:

Sinfully Dark Chocolate Brownies
These brownies just edged out the #2 recipe to become the most popular post in 2009. And rightfully so! They dark, chocolate-y, and rich. Just looking at the photo makes me want to bake them all over again. Right now.

Peanut Butter & Nutella Brownies
Coming in at #2 – more brownies! We have so much in common, you and I. I think we can both agree that if there’s anything that could make plain old brownies even better, it’s the addition of peanut butter and Nutella.

Cheesy Potato Soup with Crispy Prosciutto
And now for something savory! This cheesy potato soup is easy, versatile, satisfying and well, cheesy. Great for warming up on cold winter days.

Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies
A homemade version of the classic childhood favorites. They won’t disappoint!

Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars with Gingersnap Crust
The smooth, creamy cheesecake with a hint of pumpkin is the perfect compliment to the spicy bite of the gingersnaps in these cheesecake bars. A fantastic alternative to pumpkin pie!

Want more? Check out the Recipe Index for a categorized list of all the recipes featured on this site.