Celebrating an Incredible Year: Our Top 10 Reader Favorites of 2014!

What an extraordinary year 2014 has been, and it’s all thanks to YOU, our amazing community! Together, we achieved an astounding 4.5 MILLION pageviews. This phenomenal milestone is a testament to your unwavering support, enthusiasm, and passion for baking and delicious food. Each click, every read, and every shared moment contributed to this incredible journey, and for that, my friends, you are truly INCREDIBLE! A heartfelt and resounding THANK YOU SO MUCH for making 2014 a year to remember!

As we welcome a brand new year, Happy New Year to each and every one of you! I sincerely hope you all enjoyed a wonderful New Year’s Eve, creating cherished memories with loved ones. It feels surreal to already be in 2015; the years truly do fly by at an astonishing pace. While I might be getting older, I prefer to believe it’s simply the exhilarating speed of life that makes time feel so fleeting. One thing is certain: 2014 was an absolutely incredible year, filled with growth and blessings, both in my personal life and right here on the blog.

A Year of Personal Growth and Family Resilience

On a personal note, 2014 presented us with a unique set of challenges that ultimately fostered immense growth for my entire family. The year began with the five of us – my husband, our three children, and myself – bracing against the freezing temperatures of Bethlehem, NH, a charming town just an hour’s drive from the Canadian border. It was a period of significant adjustment, where every family member pitched in to make ends meet and learn the invaluable lessons of budgeting and resourcefulness. Though difficult at times, this bittersweet experience forged some truly fantastic memories and life lessons. It reminded us that sometimes, hitting rock bottom allows you to truly appreciate the blessings you have. We not only survived individually but, more importantly, grew closer as a family during those trying times. While the closeness might not have been immediately apparent amidst the daily struggles, as the saying goes, hindsight is 20/20. Looking back, I know with absolute certainty that every single one of us is profoundly grateful for the experience and the resilience it instilled. This entire “trip” or “working sabbatical,” as we now fondly call it, ultimately led us back to where we ended 2014: three of us returned “home” to Phoenix, AZ, while our two daughters found their paths in other parts of the U.S. We couldn’t be happier with where we are now, despite the occasionally chilly Arizona temperatures that sometimes bring back vivid flashbacks!

The Blog’s Phenomenal Rise: 365 Days of Baking & More Explodes!

Speaking of incredible journeys, 365 Days of Baking & More absolutely exploded in 2014! And no, not literally, otherwise I wouldn’t be here writing this post today! But, as you saw at the very top of this message, we reached truly phenomenal milestones. Racking up 4.5 million pageviews in a single year is certainly nothing to sneeze at. In the previous three years of running this blog, we hadn’t even come close to that number, let alone achieving it in just twelve months. It’s truly unreal and continues to blow my mind! In terms of growth, opportunities, and the vibrant community we’ve built, I could never have imagined reaching this point when I first created this blog nearly four years ago. I am utterly flabbergasted by how far we’ve come!

When my husband and I decided to move to Phoenix, we made the significant decision that blogging would become my full-time “job.” It’s difficult to put into words how unbelievably rewarding it is to have found something I am so deeply passionate about, to be able to pursue it from the comfort of my home, set my own hours, contribute financially to our family, and paradoxically, enjoy more quality family time because of it. This has been a dream I’ve held for a very, very long time. My sincerest wish for each of you is that you too are able to discover something you love doing, pursue it with all your heart, transform that dream into a burning passion, and perhaps even turn it into a source of income, if that’s what you desire. If I can make my dream a reality, I wholeheartedly believe you can make yours happen too.

Looking Forward to an Exciting 2015 and Continued Gratitude

I am incredibly excited about everything that unfolded this past year, but even more thrilled for what 2015 holds in store! I’ve been diligently planning some fantastic new content and have an abundance of wonderful posts on the horizon, ready to inspire your baking adventures. I am SO very grateful that you’ve been here to experience this journey with me. Your support — whether through reading, commenting, sharing on social media, or simply telling friends and family about 365 Days of Baking & More — has been absolutely tremendous. I am truly, truly humbled by your engagement. From the tips of my toes, I know there is absolutely no way I would be where I am today if it weren’t for each and every one of you, and I thank you for that from the bottom of my heart.

I wish each and every one of you the absolute best that 2015 has to offer! May you be abundantly blessed, experience an overflow of love throughout the year, achieve tremendous personal growth, explore places you’ve never seen, embark on adventures you’ve never dared, and savor incredible food you’ve never tasted! I certainly intend to help with that last part, providing you with countless delicious recipes to make your year extra tasty.

So, without further ado, it is my absolute pleasure to present the top 10 posts that resonated most with you throughout this past year. Thank you for making them such a success!

10. Lemon Ricotta Pound Cake

This extraordinary pound cake stands apart from any other I’ve ever created. Its secret ingredient, ricotta cheese, infuses it with an unbelievable moistness and a wonderfully dense yet tender crumb. Coupled with the bright, zesty flavor of fresh lemon, it’s truly a sinful delight. If you or someone you know adores lemon-infused desserts, this Lemon Ricotta Pound Cake is destined to become a firm favorite, perfect for any occasion from a casual brunch to an elegant afternoon tea.

9. How to Make Cake Flour

There have been countless times when I’ve been halfway through a baking project, only to realize I either didn’t have cake flour in my pantry or didn’t have enough. Unlike versatile all-purpose flour, cake flour isn’t an ingredient many of us use on a daily basis, making it easy to overlook during grocery trips. This ingenious guide offers a fantastic, last-minute solution, allowing you to easily create your own cake flour substitute at home. No more frantic dashes to the store, and you’ll always be prepared to bake those delicate, fluffy cakes.

8. How to Bake Bacon

If there’s one culinary chore I truly cannot stand, it’s cooking bacon on the stovetop and inevitably getting splattered with scorching hot grease. Every single time, it guarantees a few choice words emanating from the kitchen! Discovering the sheer convenience and pain-free method of baking bacon in the oven was a game-changer for me. This simple technique delivers perfectly crispy bacon with minimal mess and effort, allowing you to reclaim your morning without the grease splatters. Once you try it, you’ll wonder why you ever cooked bacon any other way – I certainly am never going back to stovetop cooking!

7. White Chocolate Snowflakes

I absolutely fell head over heels in love with these delicate White Chocolate Snowflakes as I was making them. Despite the initial challenge of the chocolate hardening prematurely in the piping bag, they still turned out beautifully, glistening with a magical shimmer. After sharing them on the 365 Days of Baking Facebook page, our wonderful followers kindly shared invaluable tips: a tiny bit of coconut oil or melted shortening added to the chocolate prevents it from seizing, but beware of butter, as its water content will only worsen the issue. These intricate edible decorations make adorable and impressive toppers for cupcakes, cakes, or even festive hot cocoa.

6. Chicken Parmesan Spinach Pasta Bake

Chicken Parmesan is undeniably one of our family’s all-time favorite meals, a classic that always satisfies. One evening, feeling adventurous, I decided to put a delightful twist on this beloved dish. Instead of serving the pasta on the side, I baked everything together in one comforting casserole. To enhance both the nutritional value and visual appeal, I folded in fresh spinach, adding a vibrant touch of color and extra goodness. This innovative approach was a huge hit with everyone at the table, transforming a family staple into an even more convenient and flavorful one-dish wonder that’s perfect for busy weeknights.

5. Chocolate Coconut Cookies

Oh, these Chocolate Coconut Cookies! I completely understand why they soared into your top favorites of 2014, because they were undoubtedly one of my personal highlights of the year. What I adored most wasn’t just the rich chocolate flavor, but their wonderfully chewy texture – I simply cannot resist anything chewy, and these cookies achieved perfection. Many of you inquired why they weren’t a no-bake cookie; honestly, I simply followed the recipe from the cookbook, which instructed baking them in the oven. The result was absolutely delightful, and I’m confident you’ll be just as pleased if you haven’t had the pleasure of trying them yet. They are a true testament to simple ingredients creating profound satisfaction!

4. TWIX Bites Brownies with Chocolate Caramel Buttercream

These delectable morsels of goodness were beyond unbelievable! The rich, fudgy brownie base, crowned with a luscious chocolate caramel buttercream frosting, would be delicious enough on its own. But the ingenious addition of a delightful TWIX Bite tucked inside each brownie truly elevated these bite-sized desserts to another level of indulgence! The combination of chewy caramel, crisp biscuit, and smooth chocolate within the soft brownie and creamy frosting creates an explosion of textures and flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. These are perfect for parties, dessert platters, or simply a luxurious personal treat.

3. Oreo Pudding Dream Bars

If you have an enduring love affair with Oreos, then prepare to be utterly smitten with this incredible dessert. The fact that it landed in our number three spot strongly suggests that many of you share this same passion! These Oreo Pudding Dream Bars truly have it all: a crunchy Oreo cookie crust, layers of smooth cream cheese, light and airy whipped topping, and creamy Oreo pudding, all crowned with a sprinkle of crushed Oreo cookies. The harmonious blend of cookies and cream, combined with its light and fluffy texture, made it incredibly difficult to resist reaching for seconds, or even thirds! #sorrynotsorry – this dream dessert is worth every extra bite!

2. 13 Minute, 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

These are, without a doubt, the easiest and fastest cookies known to man. Okay, perhaps that’s a slight exaggeration, but to me, they certainly are! Their incredible simplicity and rapid preparation time make them a true lifesaver for last-minute cravings or unexpected guests. Many of you shared with me that you’ve been making these cookies for years, grew up with them, and even have your own fantastic variations. From switching out granulated sugar for brown sugar, to adding chocolate chips, or using crunchy peanut butter for an extra textural kick – your creativity truly shines! You guys absolutely ROCK, and these classic, foolproof peanut butter cookies remain a timeless favorite for a reason.

1. Chocolate Peanut Butter Dream Bars

And now, for our undisputed number one! This single post, the Chocolate Peanut Butter Dream Bars, seriously took 365 Days of Baking & More to an entirely new level. It went truly viral and quite literally put 365 on the map in the food blogging world. This single recipe garnered nearly 1.5 million views and has been pinned over 245 thousand times on Pinterest – an astounding testament to its universal appeal! Suffice it to say, you all clearly know a good dessert when you see it, and this one is a masterpiece. If you haven’t had the pleasure of making it yet, this recipe has earned four rolling pins in my book and is one of those desserts that absolutely, unequivocally needs to be added to your culinary bucket list. Prepare for a heavenly combination of crushed peanut butter sandwich cookies, luscious layers of chocolate pudding, creamy cream cheese and peanut butter, all topped with a light and airy whipped topping. It’s pure bliss in every bite!

Once again, from the deepest part of my heart, thank you. Your incredible support, engagement, and belief in this blog have blessed me beyond anything I could have ever imagined. It truly means the world to me.

With new plans, fresh beginnings, and wonderful doors just waiting to be opened, I am overflowing with excitement for 2015. Are you ready for it? I am so incredibly thrilled for what’s to come and sincerely hope that you’ll continue to be along for the ride, sharing in all the delicious moments!

As always and forever, I send you BIG baking hugs and muffins! Wishing you much LOVE and happy baking!