Happy Friday, dear friends! As we reflect on the past year, I’m thrilled to finally share a curated list of the absolute best recipes that captured your hearts and taste buds in 2017. While I might be a little late to the party, the results were truly surprising, especially when it came to the reigning cookie champion. Can you guess? Here’s a hint: it features raisins! Yes, you read that right. I honestly never imagined such a widespread love for oatmeal raisin cookies, but the numbers don’t lie. This list is a testament to your diverse culinary preferences and what makes a recipe truly stand out.
A Glimpse into My World: Life Beyond the Oven
Before diving into the delicious details of 2017’s top recipes, I wanted to take a moment to connect with you on a more personal level. You might have noticed a slight hush on the blog over the past few weeks, and for good reason. While I generally keep this space dedicated to baking and culinary adventures, I’ve decided to open up a bit more. After all, connecting with you, my wonderful community, is what truly makes this blog special. And believe it or not, there’s more to my life than just flour, sugar, and baking sheets!
The past year, 2017, was an incredible whirlwind, a period of immense change and growth. Early last year, my husband, Josh, and I embarked on a monumental journey. We sold our beloved old house, temporarily relocated, meticulously planned and built our dream home from the ground up, and then finally moved in – all within an astonishing span of just eleven months! To say it was exhausting would be a colossal understatement. It was a marathon of decisions, packing, unpacking, and living amidst construction dust. But through it all, it was also one of the most rewarding and memorable years of my life, a true testament to patience and perseverance.
Once we finally settled into our new haven, I made a conscious decision to hit pause. A much-needed break from the intense pace of moving and blogging was in order, which explains the temporary quiet spell here. It was a time to simply relax, breathe, and truly soak in the joy of our new surroundings. I’m excited to share a dedicated post about our new home in a couple of months, once we’re fully settled and have added those personal touches through decorating (and perhaps I’ll even ask for your help and ideas!).
Unveiling My Favorite Space: The Heart of Our New Home
However, I simply couldn’t resist giving you a little sneak peek into my absolute favorite part of our new house, a space that has already become the vibrant heart of our home. And if you’re a fellow food enthusiast or a regular reader of this blog, you’ve probably already guessed it: our magnificent new kitchen!
This particular photo was captured just before we officially moved in, a moment filled with anticipation. What truly excites me about this culinary haven is the expansive counter space – a dream come true for any avid baker or cook. For nearly four years, I’ve managed to create and share countless delicious recipes with just a single oven. Now, the luxury of having not one, but two ovens feels nothing short of a miracle! You won’t spot them in this specific shot, but our new kitchen features two distinct single ovens, strategically placed on the other side of the island. This setup offers incredible flexibility and efficiency, especially when preparing large meals or baking multiple batches of cookies and cakes simultaneously. It’s an absolute game-changer for my baking adventures and a feature I’m incredibly grateful for. Having this dedicated, well-equipped space has already inspired so many new recipe ideas, and I can’t wait to share the fruits of this new kitchen with all of you.
The Sweetest Successes: Top Recipes of 2017
Alright, enough about the new house and my personal journey for now. Let’s shift our focus back to what you’re truly here for: the delectable culinary triumphs of 2017! These are the recipes that consistently ranked highest, proving to be enduring favorites amongst our community. Get ready to discover your next baking obsession!
Top Breakfast Recipe: A Delicious Start to Your Day
Our community’s favorite way to kickstart the morning combines wholesome oats with fruity goodness. This recipe offers a comforting and nutritious option that’s perfect for busy weekdays or a leisurely weekend brunch.
Blueberry Banana Baked Oatmeal
Top Bar Recipe: Zesty Perfection in Every Bite
For those who adore a harmonious blend of sweet and tart, this classic bar recipe was an undeniable hit. Its vibrant flavor and delightful texture make it an ideal treat for any occasion, from casual gatherings to elegant dessert tables.
Classic Lemon Bars
Top Cookie Recipe: The Unexpected Crowd-Pleaser
This was the biggest surprise of the year! Proving that classic comfort often triumphs, these cookies charmed their way to the top spot. They are wonderfully soft, perfectly chewy, and packed with wholesome oats and juicy raisins, proving that this timeless combination is truly beloved.
Soft & Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Top Cake/Cupcake Recipe: Simple Elegance
Sometimes, simplicity is key, and our community clearly agreed. This recipe for a beloved classic demonstrates that you don’t need elaborate ingredients or techniques to create a truly delicious and satisfying dessert. Perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or just a sweet craving.
Vanilla Cupcakes
Top How-To Post: Master Your Frosting Skills
Beyond recipes, our readers sought to perfect their decorating techniques. This comprehensive guide became an indispensable resource for achieving that silky, smooth, and utterly delicious frosting every time. A must-read for anyone looking to elevate their baking game!
Homemade Buttercream Frosting
Top No-Bake Recipe: Effortless Indulgence
When the craving for dessert strikes but you want to avoid turning on the oven, this no-bake wonder came to the rescue. It’s incredibly easy to prepare, requiring minimal effort for maximum flavor, making it a perfect quick treat.
No-Bake Oreo Cheesecake
Top Pie Recipe: A Homestyle Classic
No holiday spread or cozy evening is complete without a slice of homemade pie, and this recipe clearly resonated. It’s a timeless, comforting dessert that brings warmth and deliciousness to any table, especially during festive seasons.
Homemade Pumpkin Pie
More Reader Favorites: Beyond the Top Spots
While the previous list highlights the absolute chart-toppers, several other incredible recipes also secured a coveted spot within the top 10 of 2017. These are some personal favorites and beloved recipes that continue to delight our readers.
Grandma’s Bread Pudding: A Taste of Nostalgia
This recipe holds a special place in my heart, and it took a lot of convincing from my husband to finally share it! While bread pudding might not be the easiest or most aesthetically pleasing dish to photograph, its flavor is absolutely out of this world. I was genuinely surprised and incredibly happy to see this comforting, homestyle dessert make it into the year’s top 5 recipes! It fills me with immense joy to know that this cherished family recipe resonates with so many of you, bringing a touch of home and warmth to your kitchens.
Grandma’s Bread Pudding
Classic No-Bake Cookies: The Ultimate Quick Fix
These incredibly easy and deliciously addictive cookies secured a phenomenal position, landing within the top 3 recipes of 2017! They were just *barely* edged out of the top cookie spot by the aforementioned oatmeal raisin cookies, highlighting their immense popularity. I was genuinely astonished by how many of you adore no-bake cookies – they are, without a doubt, one of my personal go-to favorites when I need a quick and satisfying sweet treat. Loaded with creamy peanut butter, wholesome oats, and rich cocoa powder, these are the perfect solution for an effortless dessert that still delivers on flavor.
Classic No-Bake Cookies
Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce: Liquid Gold for Desserts
And finally, but certainly not least, our highly acclaimed homemade salted caramel sauce once again solidified its position within the top 10 recipes of the year. This velvety, rich concoction is truly liquid gold – an incredibly versatile and utterly delicious topping that elevates almost any dessert, from a simple scoop of ice cream to elaborate cakes and puddings. Its perfect balance of sweet and salty notes makes it an irresistible addition to your baking repertoire, and it’s clear our readers agree!
Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce
A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Amazing Community!
Before I conclude this special post, I want to take a heartfelt moment to extend my deepest gratitude to YOU, my incredible readers and community. Words cannot truly express how much I appreciate each and every one of you. Whether you’ve taken the time to read my newsletters, reached out with a thoughtful message, left a wonderful comment on a recipe, or shared your success stories after trying one of my creations – your engagement means the world to me.
It is such a profoundly rewarding feeling to be able to share my passion for baking and my cherished recipes with all of you. Your enthusiasm, feedback, and continued support are the driving force behind this blog. Honestly, without your encouragement and your willingness to embark on these culinary journeys with me, this space simply wouldn’t exist. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for being such an integral part of this amazing community. I look forward to many more years of baking, sharing, and connecting with you all. ♥