Recapping 2015: A Year of Sweet Success and Our Most Loved Bakes!
As another year draws to a close, there’s a tradition I eagerly anticipate: compiling the annual review of our most cherished recipes. While I often have a good intuition about which creations have resonated most with you throughout the year, the final tally always holds a delightful surprise or two. This reflective journey isn’t just about statistics; it’s a chance to look back at the moments shared, the flavors explored, and the community built right here at Bake or Break.
The year 2015 was truly extraordinary, a landmark chapter in the Bake or Break story. Beyond the countless hours of delightful culinary experimentation and the joy of sharing new recipes, it marked a monumental milestone: the publication of my very first cookbook! This endeavor was an incredible experience, demanding immense dedication, endless recipe testing, and, as any baker can attest, a significant amount of dishwashing! Seeing my vision come to life in print, and knowing that so many of you welcomed it into your homes and kitchens, means the world to me. Your support, enthusiasm, and willingness to bake along with me fueled every step of that journey. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to each and every one of you who added my book to your cookbook collection. It’s an honor I deeply cherish.
Here on Bake or Break, 2015 was a year of abundant creativity, where I had the pleasure of sharing over 100 new and exciting recipes with our vibrant community. From decadent cakes to comforting cookies and everything in between, we explored a vast landscape of flavors and techniques. Out of this impressive collection, a select few rose to the top, capturing your hearts and taste buds. These are the recipes you liked, shared, tweeted, pinned, and, most importantly, baked the most. They represent the collective culinary spirit of our community, a testament to shared joy and delicious discovery. Get ready to revisit the sweet triumphs of 2015!
Your Top 12 Most Popular Recipes of 2015
These are the fan favorites, the recipes that soared to the top of your baking lists. Each one offers a unique taste experience that clearly resonated with our readers, becoming a staple in many homes.
This Lemon Cream Cake quickly became a star, offering a truly immersive lemon dessert experience. Its deliciously cool, creamy, and undeniably fabulous profile made it an instant hit, perfect for bright spring days or any time you crave a burst of citrusy sweetness. It’s a sophisticated yet comforting bake that showcases the versatility of lemon in dessert.
The Italian Cream Tart captivated our audience with its irresistible combination of coconut, pecans, and cream cheese. Its ‘almost-no-bake’ nature made it incredibly appealing, offering a taste of indulgence without extensive oven time. This tart proves that rich, complex flavors can also come from simple, elegant preparations.
These Blueberry Lemon Cookies were a testament to the power of classic flavor pairings. Their soft, cake-like texture, studded generously with fresh blueberries and infused with a vibrant lemon flavor, made them an undeniable crowd-pleaser. Perfect for a snack or dessert, they bring a taste of summer any time of year.
Simplicity met indulgence with the Icebox Chocolate Cheesecake. The sheer magic of creating such a luscious dessert with just three ingredients made this recipe a viral sensation. It offered a quick, impressive, and deeply satisfying chocolate fix, proving that extraordinary flavor doesn’t always require extensive effort.
Innovation shone through with our Pound Cake Cookies. This ingenious recipe took everything we love about classic pound cake – its rich flavor and tender crumb – and reimagined it in a convenient, bite-sized cookie form. It’s a delightful twist on a beloved classic, perfect for sharing or enjoying as a personal treat.
For the true chocolate aficionados, the Chocolate Sour Cream Bundt Cake was a revelation. Hailed as the most delicious, moist, rich, and downright amazing chocolate cake, it set a new standard for homemade indulgence. The addition of sour cream contributes to its incredible tenderness and depth of flavor, making it a standout dessert for any occasion.
The Turtle Tart proved to be an irresistible symphony of textures and flavors. With its buttery pecan shortbread crust, a luscious layer of gooey caramel, and a generous topping of rich chocolate ganache, this dessert was a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It masterfully combines classic components into one unforgettable treat.
For those who appreciate a spirited dessert, the Fudgy Kahlua Brownie Cookies were a dream come true. Combining the deep notes of coffee-flavored liqueur with an abundance of rich chocolate, these cookies offered an adult twist on a beloved classic. Their irresistible fudginess and depth of flavor made them a frequent re-bake.
The Cannoli Icebox Cake brought the beloved flavors of Italian cannoli into an incredibly easy, no-bake format. With its lightly sweet, creamy filling, generous chocolate chips, and layers of graham crackers, it was a breeze to make and a joy to eat. This dessert proved that traditional tastes can be reinvented in exciting, accessible ways.
Just in time for the festive season, the Toffee Pecan Snowdrop Cookies became an instant classic. The delightful crunch of toffee, the nutty goodness of pecans, and the warm spice of cinnamon combined to create a truly irresistible cookie. These “snowdrops” offered both beautiful presentation and incredible flavor, making them a holiday favorite.
The Salted Caramel Whipped Cream Pie exemplified brilliant simplicity and undeniable deliciousness. Its layers of a crisp cookie crust, a generous amount of sweetened whipped cream, and a drizzle of perfectly salty caramel created an irresistible combination that resonated deeply with our readers. It’s comfort in pie form, elevated by that hint of salt.
Rounding out our top 12, the Cream Biscuits proved that homemade doesn’t have to be complicated. Praised for being the quickest and easiest biscuits to make, these required just three ingredients and a few minutes of your time. They delivered a batch of delicious, from-scratch goodness, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or alongside any meal.
Beyond the Bestsellers: Our Personal Picks from 2015
While the popular list is determined by your clicks and shares, I can never resist sharing a few more recipes that, while they might not have topped the popularity charts, captured my (and Quinn’s!) hearts. I bake an incredible variety of things throughout the year, but these particular creations stood out to us as being exceptionally good, unique, and utterly delightful. Consider these our hidden gems, highly recommended for your next baking adventure!
These individual Dark Chocolate Bourbon Bread Puddings are a testament to how small packages can hold immense flavor. Each serving is packed with the sophisticated warmth of bourbon, the intense richness of dark chocolate, and the satisfying crunch of pecans. They offer a comforting, elegant dessert experience that feels truly special.
The Cherry Plum Slab Pie was a standout for its vibrant fruit filling and its practicality for entertaining. Sweet cherries and juicy plums combine in a delicious symphony, encased in a flaky crust. Its slab format makes it incredibly easy to serve a crowd, making it a perfect choice for summer gatherings and potlucks.
For lovers of the classic holiday duo, the Chocolate Peppermint Whoopie Pies were a delightful indulgence. These sweet, delicate sandwich cookies featured a perfect balance of rich chocolate and refreshing peppermint, making them a truly irresistible treat that brings a festive spirit to any occasion, even outside of December.
Talk about an unforgettable flavor profile! The Citrus Cake with Tequila-Lime Frosting was truly an edible cocktail. Packed with bright citrus flavors in the cake, complemented by a sweet and tart tequila-lime frosting, and finished with a surprising hint of salt, this cake was a daring and utterly delicious creation that we adored.
The Apple Cranberry Crumb Pie was a perfect blend of sweet and tart, making it an absolutely delicious and comforting pie. The vibrant fruity filling, perfectly balanced with a sweet, buttery crumb topping, created an irresistible dessert that was both familiar and exciting. It’s a classic combination done to perfection, ideal for cooler weather.
To end our personal favorites list, the Caramel Pecan Brownie Cake was a magnificent creation that truly delighted our senses. This cake was perfectly rich, exquisitely gooey, wonderfully nutty, and utterly mouthwatering. It combined the best elements of a fudgy brownie with layers of caramel and pecans, creating a dessert that was pure indulgence.
Thank you all so incredibly much for following along with another year of my baking adventures, for your unwavering support, and for making Bake or Break such a vibrant and inspiring community. Each comment, share, and bake means the world to me. I wish you a happy, healthy, and wonderfully delicious 2016, filled with many more opportunities to create sweet memories in your kitchens!