A Look Back into 2015

beattys chocolate cake slice

I love writing these yearly recaps, not just to share with my wonderful readers, but also as a chance for me to reflect on the year that was. (I’ve been doing this every year: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014)

2015 was another sweet year for me. Not just because of all the desserts I made and ate and gave away, but also because my heart is fuller that it’s ever been <3

I started off the year with something very rich, chocolate-y, buttery, sticky, sweet, and spiked with bourbon: Chocolate Hazelnut Baklava. And I’m ending the year eating chocolate caramel cheesecake with my family here in the Philippines (I’ve been posting about my trip on Instagram). In between, I traveled to a lot of places, spent a lot of quality time with loved ones, taught two cooking classes, filmed an episode for a TV show (!), ate so many delicious things, AND I started dating a wonderful guy.

(pic from our Portland trip in November)

Here are some highlights for each quarter in 2015:

banana bread

Q1 – Many of us who live in the US Northeast remember that for the first couple of months of the year, we were hammered by blizzards and snowstorms. Boston in particular got record amounts of snow. This resulted in a lot of snow days, working from home, and a lot of baking. I settled on my favorite banana bread recipe: a classic recipe for a loaf that’s soft, tender, and with just the right amount of sweetness.

And as always, I made my own birthday cake (top picture): fudgy and moist chocolate layers, filled with cherry preserves, brushed with Grand Marnier, and finished with a dark chocolate sour cream frosting. Did I swoon over my own creating? Yes I did.

moms pasta sauce

Q2 – I made more comfort foods during these months, including My Mom’s Pasta Sauce –  it’s an epic meat sauce, but it’s also more like a surf and turf because of the addition of shrimp. I also made scones, fried rice, fudge, and cake, among other things.

taylor brooke winery

photo booth

Q3 – the second half of the year is when I kicked off all my travelling. I spent a fun weekend in Connecticut (a winery! a B and B! a Lamborghini!) and also spent a few days in Austin, Texas sweating a lot and eating tacos and hotdogs. And I went to a really good brunch at one of my new favorite restaurants in Boston, Townsman.

ham-cones-barcelona-600x600

pastry-maker-belem-600x800

stained glass windows living room

Q4 – during these last few months, I was able to go to even more places, enjoy more delicious food, and feed my desire for adventure, culture, and spending time with those close to my heart. I went to Europe (Lisbon and Barcelona). I went around New England (Portland). And now I’m in Asia, here in Manila with my family.

champagne ice cream floats

Today, on New Year’s Eve, I’m looking back at the sweet year that was 2015, and drinking champagne (or making Champagne Ice Cream Floats) virtually with you guys and the rest of the world. In 2015, I vowed to stop stressing about the things I cannot control, and sure enough, I was indeed more relaxed and calmer this year. I’m hoping to do the same in 2016, and really truly live in the moment. I consider myself to be very lucky for having this life and a big part of it is having this blog. I am very grateful to you all for supporting Confessions of a Chocoholic. Thank you for the emails and for the recommendations and for making my recipes and for reading this blog. THANK YOU from the bottom of my chocolate-covered heart.

Sending you warm and happy wishes for 2016! May your New Year be filled with love and chocolate cake.

   

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