best of 2013.

The year is coming to a close and I feel that it's fitting, and hence obliged, to dedicate a post to the best 13 bakes of this year. Now "best" can mean different things and in this case, it refers to the most delicious and memorable desserts of the year in my opinion. I could do a list of the most liked desserts instead, but I really would like to use this chance to highlight some of those that didn't receive as much attention as they deserve.

Because I didn't bake as much this year - in fact, this year represents the least number of times per year I've baked ever since I started baking - I thought that I would be running low on candidates but I still had to make some tough decisions on elimination! So without further ado, in no particular order, my favorite bakes of 2013:

1. Mocha Bars

The top was so crispy and the center was so fudgy~

2. Pierre Herme's Carrément Chocolat

Chocolate in five different ways - five different textures, five different flavours. Labour intensive but every minute spent was worth it.

3. Tish's Chocolate Peanut Butter Cloud Pie

Perfect for peanut butter freaks like me.

4. Iced Coffee Chocolate Cupcakes

I love love love this cupcake so much. The coffee custard in the middle is probably the best coffee thing I've ever tasted. Please try this recipe!

5. Malted Milk Pots de Creme with Malted White Chocolate Walnuts

So simple yet so delicious. I finished my serving then proceeded to wipe out half of my mum's.

6. Filled Raisin Cookies

I'm rarely impressed by cookies but these. These are worth my attention. And yours too.

7. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cake

Needs no explanation why it made it into my top 13 list.

8. Coffee and Milk Chocolate Chip Cake

The glaze is the killer application.

9. Caramel Almond Cake

Make sure you have the cake while it's hot and the topping is still crunchy!

10. Chocolate Chunk Pumpkin Bread

My first time making pumpkin bread and it definitely won't be the last! I almost regret turning half of what I made into pumpkin bread pudding because the loaf was so good on its own already.

11. Cherry Chocolate Chip Cake

I ate three quarters of the whole cake.

12. Mocha Cream Cheese Tower

Just. Woah.

13. Earl Grey Pots de Creme

I feel that this is the most under-appreciated recipe of the year! It's looks plain and unassuming but please please please just try this recipe and you'll see why I love it so much. (Even more than number 12.)

So that's it for this year! With 10 out of the 13 recipes containing chocolate, I would be lying if I say that I'm not a chocolate fiend but in all honesty, I don't like things to be overly chocolaty - just a bit in everything is enough to make me happy.

2014 awaits. I don't have high hopes that I'd get to bake often but let's hope that I chance upon some good recipes!