Welcome, dear food enthusiasts and baking aficionados! As we reflect on a remarkable year filled with culinary adventures and delightful creations, we’re thrilled to present the definitive list of your absolute favorites: the Top Recipes of 2021 from the 365 Days of Baking and More blog.
2021 was truly a year to remember, and this blog, which I lovingly started over a decade ago, wouldn’t be possible without your incredible support, engagement, and shared passion for delicious food. From simple weeknight dinners to show-stopping desserts, you’ve made countless recipes come alive in your kitchens, and your clicks, shares, and comments have helped us compile this highly anticipated countdown.
This curated collection of reader favorites spans a delightful spectrum of flavors and categories. Get ready to discover some incredible appetizers, irresistible sweet treats (it’s clear you all have a special place in your hearts for peanut butter 😉), and even one of my personal all-time favorite recipes that made it to the very top. Each dish on this list tells a story of comfort, convenience, and undeniable taste, proving that good food is truly one of life’s greatest pleasures. So, prepare to be inspired, and let’s dive into the dishes that captivated your taste buds throughout 2021!
Without further ado, let the culinary countdown begin!
Discover the Most Loved Recipes of 2021
10. Peanut Butter Cornflake Cookies
Kicking off our list at number ten are these incredibly popular No-Bake Peanut Butter Cornflake Cookies. These chewy, crunchy delights are the epitome of an easy dessert, requiring just a few simple ingredients and absolutely no oven time. Imagine the nostalgic taste of peanut butter and cornflakes combined into a convenient treat, ready in minutes. What makes them truly stand out is the ingenious method that eliminates the need for boiling corn syrup – a common ingredient in traditional no-bake cookies. This clever twist makes them even easier and safer to prepare, perfect for a quick snack or when you need to satisfy a sweet craving without any fuss. They are so good, they might just become your new favorite secret weapon for quick desserts. Shhh… your grandma’s recipe will never know!
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9. Smashed Roasted Cheesy Potatoes
Coming in at number nine, these Smashed Roasted Cheesy Potatoes are a testament to how simple ingredients can create extraordinary flavor. This recipe takes humble small red potatoes, boils them until just tender, then smashes them flat to create maximum surface area for crispiness. They are then generously basted with a fragrant, seasoned garlic butter, infusing every crevice with rich flavor. The magic happens during the second roasting in the oven, where they transform into golden, crispy perfection. Before their final bake, a generous topping of melted cheese and fresh chives elevates them into an utterly irresistible side dish. These cheesy smashed potatoes are not only incredibly delicious but also surprisingly easy to prepare, making them a fantastic addition to any meal, any night of the week. Prepare for these to become a regular fixture on your family’s dinner menu!
8. Frozen Bahama Mama
Transport yourself to a sun-drenched beach with our eighth most popular recipe: the delightful Frozen Bahama Mama. This vibrant and refreshing cocktail is your ticket to a tropical getaway, no matter where you are. Crafted with a tantalizing blend of sweet grenadine, zesty orange juice, tropical pineapple juice, robust dark rum, smooth coconut-flavored rum, and a splash of tangy lime juice, all blended with ice to frosty perfection. It’s the ultimate concoction to beat the heat and instantly evoke the relaxed vibes of a Caribbean vacation. Perfect for summer parties, backyard barbecues, or simply unwinding after a long day, this frozen drink delivers a taste of paradise in every sip. It truly is the next best thing to actually being there!
7. Strawberry Spinach Salad
At number seven, we have a dish that brings a burst of freshness and color to any table: the classic Strawberry Spinach Salad. This elegant yet simple salad combines tender, fresh spinach leaves with sweet, juicy strawberries, creating a harmonious balance of flavors and textures. Often elevated with additional elements like crunchy almonds, creamy feta, or tangy mandarin oranges, and then tossed in a bright, sweet-and-savory poppy seed dressing, this recipe is a true crowd-pleaser. Its versatility makes it a fantastic side dish for any meal, from casual weeknight dinners to festive holiday spreads. For a heartier option, simply top it with grilled chicken or your favorite protein to transform it into a light yet satisfying main course. It’s the perfect way to embrace seasonal produce and add a healthy, vibrant touch to your menu.
6. Pina Colada Milkshakes
Sliding into the sixth spot are these incredibly decadent and refreshing Pina Colada Milkshakes. When the weather heats up, there’s nothing quite like a frosty, creamy drink to cool you down, and this recipe delivers tropical bliss in every sip. Blending rich vanilla ice cream with sweet crushed pineapple and the distinctive flavor of cream of coconut, these milkshakes are a taste of the tropics that everyone will love. The best part? They are incredibly versatile! Enjoy them as a delightful virgin treat, perfect for kids and adults alike, or add a splash of rum for an adult-only indulgence that truly embodies the spirit of a classic piña colada. Whip up a batch for a pool party, a summer barbecue, or simply as a luxurious everyday treat. It’s a sweet escape you can blend at home!
5. Pineapple Bread
Landing at number five is our delightfully moist and flavorful Pineapple Bread. This quick bread is a fantastic way to brighten your mornings and bring a touch of tropical sunshine to your kitchen. Imagine a slice of tender, sweet bread, studded with juicy pineapple pieces, and crowned with a layer of perfectly toasted coconut. The combination of pineapple and coconut is a match made in heaven, creating a comforting yet exotic flavor profile that pairs wonderfully with your morning coffee or tea. It’s also an excellent choice for a midday snack or a light dessert. Easy to make and bursting with vibrant flavors, this pineapple bread offers a delightful escape to the tropics without leaving your home. It’s a treat that feels both indulgent and wonderfully comforting.
4. Stabilized Whipped Cream
Taking the fourth spot on our list is a foundational recipe that proves incredibly useful for any baker: Stabilized Whipped Cream. Forget about whipped cream that deflates and loses its luscious texture! This genius recipe creates a robust, piping-friendly whipped topping by incorporating a touch of cream cheese and powdered sugar. The addition of these ingredients not only thickens the cream but also helps it hold its shape beautifully for hours, even days, without weeping or collapsing. It’s the perfect homemade alternative to store-bought whipped topping or Cool Whip, offering a superior flavor and texture that elevates any dessert. Use it to top pies, cakes, fruit tarts, hot cocoa, or any dish where you desire a stable, creamy, and utterly delicious whipped topping. Once you try this stabilized version, you’ll never go back!
3. Chocolate Peanut Butter Dream Bars
Entering the top three, these No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Dream Bars are truly a dream come true for dessert lovers. This layered masterpiece combines irresistible flavors and textures without ever needing to turn on your oven. It starts with a buttery crust made from crushed peanut butter sandwich cookies, providing a perfect base. This is then layered with rich, creamy chocolate pudding, followed by a light and fluffy layer of cream cheese blended with even more peanut butter. The grand finale is a generous topping of Cool Whip or, for an extra homemade touch, our incredibly popular Stabilized Whipped Cream. Each bite is a symphony of sweet, salty, creamy, and crunchy – a perfect harmony of chocolate and peanut butter that will have everyone asking for seconds. These dream bars are ideal for parties, potlucks, or simply satisfying that intense craving for a truly decadent dessert.
2. 13 Minute, 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
Claiming the coveted second spot is a recipe that truly went viral for its sheer simplicity and delicious results: our 13 Minute, 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies. This recipe is an absolute game-changer for anyone who loves cookies but is short on time or ingredients. Unlike traditional peanut butter cookies, these require only three pantry staples – peanut butter, sugar, and an egg – and are ready from start to finish in just thirteen minutes! The result is a delightfully chewy, rich, and incredibly satisfying peanut butter cookie that tastes like it took hours to make. They are the perfect solution when a sudden sweet craving strikes, or when you have little ones eagerly awaiting a quick and tasty snack. This recipe proves that you don’t need a long list of ingredients or complex steps to create something truly delicious. They are a testament to efficient, joyful baking!
And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for! A massive drumroll, please, for the ultimate fan favorite and THE #1 post from the Top Recipes of 2021!
1. Homemade Pizza Dough
Taking the top spot as your most cherished recipe of 2021 is our absolutely phenomenal Homemade Pizza Dough! This isn’t just any pizza dough recipe; it’s hands down the BEST, EASIEST, and MOST DELICIOUS dough I have ever had the pleasure of making. With just 5 simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, you can create enough dough for THREE perfect pizzas. Its incredible texture, perfect rise, and robust flavor make it the only dough I will ever use, not just for classic pizzas, but also for my beloved Pepperoni Bread. Mastering homemade pizza dough opens up a world of culinary possibilities, allowing you to customize your pizzas with endless toppings and create unforgettable family pizza nights. This recipe empowers you to make restaurant-quality pizza right in your own kitchen, proving that sometimes, the simplest things bring the greatest joy. It’s truly a foundational recipe that every home cook should have in their arsenal!
While these ten recipes stole the spotlight, many other fantastic creations from our kitchen also garnered significant attention and just barely missed making this exclusive list. We encourage you to explore these popular recipes for more culinary inspiration:
- Homemade French Vanilla Coffee Creamer
- Taco Braid
- Homemade Dog Pill Pockets
- A Copycat Recipe – Texas Roadhouse Rolls
- Strawberry Cheesecake Dream Bars
- Grandma’s Easy Homemade Italian Bread Recipe
- Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
- Sausage Cranberry Brie Bites
And for those eager to explore even more delicious recipes that resonated with home cooks across the web in 2021, here’s a selection from some of our fellow food bloggers:
- Chicken Tortilla Soup Crock Pot from Dash of Sanity
- Old Fashioned Goulash from Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
- Homemade Ice Cream from Barefeet in the Kitchen
- Peanut Butter Pretzel Buckeyes from Chocolate with Grace
- Garlic Ginger Glazed Sticky Pork from Foodie with Family
- Coquito (Puerto Rican Egg Nog) from The Noshery
Thank you for joining us on this delicious journey through the Top Recipes of 2021. Your continued support and passion for cooking and baking are what truly make this blog thrive. We hope this list inspires you to revisit old favorites and discover new ones to add to your culinary repertoire. We are incredibly grateful for your readership and engagement.
Wishing you all a happy, healthy, and incredibly delicious 2022!