Reader Favorites: Unveiling 365 Days of Baking and More’s Top 10 Recipes of 2016!
As we reflect on a remarkable year, I’m thrilled to present a highly anticipated compilation of 2016’s Top 10 recipes! These are the dishes that captivated your hearts and taste buds the most, becoming the shining stars right here at 365 Days of Baking and More. Your engagement, enthusiasm, and continuous support have made this past year truly extraordinary, and I extend my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you, my incredible friends and culinary companions!
Stepping into a new year always brings a wave of reflection, and as I look back on 2016, one resounding sentiment emerges: immense gratitude. This past year has been nothing short of phenomenal, and it’s all thanks to YOU, my dedicated readers and vibrant community. 365 Days of Baking and More has grown into something far beyond my initial dreams, and it wouldn’t be the thriving hub it is today without your invaluable contributions. Every share, thoughtful comment, encouraging like, consistent follow, inspiring pin, and engaging watch has woven itself into the fabric of this blog, building a connection that feels truly special.
You’ve become more than just readers; you’ve become an extended family. I cherish the time we spend together, whether it’s through sharing new recipes, tackling baking challenges, or simply connecting over our shared love for delicious food. It’s hard to imagine my daily life without your presence and interaction, and for that, I am eternally thankful.
Before we dive into the delicious countdown, make sure to save this incredible collection to your favorite recipe board on Pinterest. It’s the ultimate guide to the most loved dishes from 2016, perfect for revisiting old favorites or discovering new inspirations!
Beyond the recipes themselves, 2016 was a year of exciting new ventures and significant growth for 365 Days of Baking and More. We embarked on several initiatives designed to bring you even more value and engaging content:
- Embracing the World of Travel: I was thrilled to incorporate more travel experiences into the blog, sharing culinary adventures and cultural insights from different destinations. This proved to be a refreshing addition, and I’m eager to explore even more in the coming year. Who knows, 2017 might just be the year for my first overseas culinary exploration, bringing back exciting new flavors and techniques to share with you!
- Connecting Live with You: We launched our engaging LIVE Facebook videos, creating a dynamic space for real-time interaction. Mondays became our dedicated recipe-making sessions, where we tackled dishes together, step-by-step. Tuesdays offered invaluable “Tip Tuesdays,” providing quick hacks and expert advice to simplify your cooking and baking endeavors. These live sessions fostered a wonderful sense of community and direct engagement that I absolutely adore.
- Simplifying Meal Planning with Fellow Bloggers: We proudly joined forces with a fantastic group of fellow food bloggers to introduce Easy Meal Plan Sunday. This weekly feature quickly became a reader favorite, offering a thoughtfully curated plan of six dinners, two delectable desserts, and a nourishing breakfast idea. The goal was simple: to make your busy lives a little easier. I personally find these plans incredibly helpful for organizing my weekly grocery lists and posting the menu on the fridge, effectively curbing the endless “what’s for dinner?” questions and bringing calm to mealtime chaos.
And then, of course, there were the recipes – an abundance of them! From comforting classics to innovative new creations, our recipe index grew substantially in 2016. Your enthusiastic feedback and unwavering support for these recipes, as well as the wonderful brands I had the privilege to collaborate with, truly made all the hard work worthwhile. I am constantly inspired by your culinary curiosity and look forward to continuing this delicious journey, bringing you even more mouth-watering food, captivating pictures, engaging videos, and exciting travel content in the years to come.
And now, without further ado, prepare your taste buds for the moment you’ve been waiting for! I proudly present the Reader Favorites: 2016’s Top 10…
1. Chocolate Peanut Butter Dream Bars
It comes as no surprise that these decadent Chocolate Peanut Butter Dream Bars have reigned supreme as the most popular recipe on 365 Days of Baking and More for three consecutive years! This extraordinary dessert perfectly encapsulates the irresistible allure of the chocolate and peanut butter combination, a pairing that has won over countless hearts and palates. With layers of crushed peanut butter sandwich cookies, creamy chocolate pudding, a luscious cream cheese and peanut butter mixture, and a light Cool Whip topping, these bars are a dream come true for any sweet tooth. Their no-bake simplicity makes them an absolute favorite for gatherings, potlucks, or simply a delightful treat at home. They’ve also consistently been our most pinned image, proving their widespread appeal. It will certainly be exciting to see if they can maintain their top spot in 2017!
2. Strawberry Cheesecake Dream Bars
These vibrant Strawberry Cheesecake Dream Bars were an undeniable sensation throughout the summer months of 2016, and their popularity continues to soar as we speak! Everyone adores the burst of fresh strawberry flavor beautifully layered within this dessert. I believe a significant factor in their success is their “NO-BAKE” nature – who wants to fire up an oven when the weather is scorching outside? These bars offer a refreshing, effortless solution for a delightful sweet treat. Featuring a graham cracker crust, a creamy cheesecake filling, and an abundance of sweet, juicy strawberries, they are the epitome of summer indulgence. They’re perfect for picnics, barbecues, or simply enjoying a taste of sunshine at home without breaking a sweat.
3. Taco Braid
Emerging as the reigning champion of dinner recipes on the blog, our Taco Braid has captured the hearts of countless home cooks! While its braided appearance might suggest complexity, don’t be fooled – with the comprehensive video tutorial and step-by-step instructions provided in the recipe post, it’s surprisingly simple to master. This ingenious dish transforms the beloved flavors of a taco into an easy-to-eat, impressive presentation, making it incredibly versatile. It has become a consistent hit for lively Taco Tuesdays, a much-requested centerpiece at potluck dinners, and an absolute crowd-pleaser for game day festivities. The flaky crust filled with seasoned ground beef, cheese, and your favorite taco toppings offers a delicious and fun twist on a classic meal, ensuring there’s a good reason why it’s so popular.
4. No-Bake Lemon Cheesecake
Bright, zesty, and utterly delightful, this No-Bake Lemon Cheesecake secured its spot as a fun and tasty favorite! While it perfectly embodies the light, refreshing flavors of spring and summer, making it an ideal addition to your Easter and Mother’s Day brunches or any warm-weather gathering, its simple preparation and vibrant taste make it a beloved dessert any time of year. The creamy, tangy lemon filling atop a crisp graham cracker crust offers a sophisticated yet approachable treat. The “no-bake” aspect is, of course, a huge draw, allowing you to whip up an elegant dessert without the fuss of an oven, ensuring a cool kitchen and a happy chef. Its universal appeal for both ease and flavor makes it a consistent winner among readers.
5. Cream Cheese Cookies
These Cream Cheese Cookies hold a special place in my heart, and clearly, in yours too, as they rocketed into the top 10! They are a cherished childhood favorite, a recipe my grandmother made so often that they effortlessly became one of my absolute go-to cookies. What makes them so irresistible? Their simplicity, small size, and a surprisingly incredible, melt-in-your-mouth taste that belies their unassuming appearance. The cream cheese lends them an unparalleled tenderness and a subtle tang that balances the sweetness beautifully. Trust me when I say, it’s nearly impossible to stop at just one or two when these delightful morsels are around. They’re perfect for holiday platters, afternoon tea, or simply a comforting snack, proving that sometimes the simplest recipes are truly the best and most beloved.
6. Stabilized Whipped Cream
It’s absolutely no surprise that this Stabilized Whipped Cream recipe became a monumental hit in 2016! There’s a constant quest among home bakers for a reliable, homemade alternative to store-bought whipped toppings like Cool Whip. This recipe answers that call magnificently. With countless dessert recipes calling for that tub of dairy whipped topping, there are equally as many culinary enthusiasts who prefer the fresh, authentic taste of homemade whipped cream, often coupled with a desire to avoid gelatin. Our version ingeniously uses cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar to achieve perfect stabilization, resulting in a firm, pipeable, and wonderfully delicious whipped cream that holds its shape beautifully. Its popularity also surged overseas, as it offers an accessible, high-quality substitute that can be effortlessly made at home and utilized in all the ‘dream bar’ recipes and beyond, showcasing its versatility and global appeal.
7. French Butter Cookies
While I can’t take credit for creating this exquisite French Butter Cookies recipe – it comes from the esteemed Martha Stewart – its phenomenal success on the blog is undeniably due to its sheer perfection. The accompanying photograph itself is so enticing that it makes you want to reach right into the screen and snatch one of those golden, perfectly shaped cookies! Beyond the visual appeal, these are simply a truly great butter cookie. The secret to their incredible taste and tender, crumbly texture lies in the quality of your ingredients, especially the butter. Using premium butter will elevate these cookies from great to utterly unforgettable. They’re a timeless classic, offering a rich, delicate flavor that pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee or tea, making them an enduring favorite for any occasion or just a moment of personal indulgence.
8. Chicken Mozzarella Pasta
At our house, pasta and chicken are practically staples, so it’s no wonder this Chicken Mozzarella Pasta recipe became an instant family favorite and a hit with our readers! This dish masterfully combines tender farfalle pasta with perfectly seasoned cooked chicken tenders, savory sun-dried tomatoes, and delightful crispy bacon, all enveloped in a rich, creamy mozzarella sauce. It’s a comforting, hearty meal that ticks all the boxes for a satisfying weeknight dinner or a relaxed weekend feast. The flavors meld together beautifully, creating a harmonious blend that appeals to both adults and children. And let’s be honest, doesn’t everything just taste better when it’s got bacon in it? This recipe proves that simple, well-loved ingredients can come together to create something truly extraordinary and incredibly popular.
9. Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
These magnificent Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars have consistently held a top spot in reader popularity for several years now, and 2016 was no exception! It’s easy to see why: the glorious combination of creamy cheesecake, tender apples, and rich caramel is a symphony of flavors that guarantees a smile with every bite. Built on a sturdy graham cracker crust, these bars feature a luxurious cheesecake layer, followed by sweet cinnamon-spiced apples, a delightful streusel topping for texture, and a generous drizzle of luscious caramel. While they are undeniably the quintessential fall dessert, perfectly celebrating apple season, their comforting and utterly delicious profile makes them a beloved treat that we enthusiastically enjoy all year round. They are simply irresistible and a testament to classic flavor pairings done right.
10. Pina Colada Milkshakes
Growing up, my milkshake experiences were quite unique, often involving coffee with a rather unusual addition (thanks, Mom!). So, discovering truly refreshing and delicious alternatives like these Pina Colada Milkshakes was a revelation, and clearly, many of you agree! These delightful drinks offer a cold, invigorating taste of the tropics with every single sip, instantly transporting you to a sunny beach. Blending the classic flavors of pineapple and coconut with creamy ice cream, they are incredibly satisfying. What makes them even better is their versatility: they are equally as good – if not more so – without the alcohol, making them a fantastic, family-friendly treat that everyone can enjoy. Perfect for cooling down on a warm day, a special dessert, or simply indulging in a little bit of paradise from the comfort of your home, these milkshakes are a true hit.
As we close the chapter on this amazing list, I extend my heartfelt appreciation once again. Thank you for making 2016 such a memorable year for 365 Days of Baking and More. Here’s to many more years of shared culinary joy, delicious discoveries, and endless inspiration!
Sending you all big baking hugs and delicious muffins!