1and1 Custom Domain on Blogspot

I decided to use my custom domain for my blog, which looks straight forward according to the instructions in blogger.com, until i went to change the CNAME in the domain host 1and1.
Blogger (google) requires changing 2(two) CNAME on the internet host, but 1and1 only has space for 1 CNAME (one)!

I battled this for a month, and even scoured the internet for any resolution with any definitive solution, until i came up with a solution; after putting all together.

The best way to do it it is by using Google Host Verify Tool. The steps reproduced below.

• Go to the Blogger and update the information on your Settings | Basic tab. Find the area for "Publishing," and click the link to add a custom domain.
• Then, click on "Switch to advanced settings." 
• Enter in the URL for your custom domain in the text box provided, and click Save.
• You will encounter an error; Error 12.

Figure 1

• Log in to your 1&1 account at https://admin.1and1.com
• If it's not already selected, click the Administration tab. Click Domains. The Domain Overview page appears.
• From the New drop-down menu, select Create Sub-domain. 
• Check the box next to the subdomain, and type the name of the sub-domain on Figure 1 above
• From the DNS menu, select Edit DNS Settings.
• Click the radio button next to CNAME.
• Include the CNAME record value associated with your use. Use the values in Figure 1 as the CNAME value. (remove the (.) at the end)
• Click on the Google Verify Webmaster Tool (highlighted on Figure 1). It will open another webpage

Figure 2

• Select 1and1.com from the Domain name provider box and Click Verify

Figure 3

• Congratulations, The site is verified!
• Go ahead and add the custom domain on Settings|Publishing tab