Top 10 Reader-Favorite Recipes of 2020: Celebrating a Year of Home Cooking

Another year has come and gone, and what a year 2020 was! It certainly presented us with unprecedented challenges and changes, but amidst it all, one beautiful silver lining emerged for many: a rediscovered love for home cooking and baking. With more time spent indoors, kitchens became sanctuaries, places of creativity, comfort, and connection. We cooked, we baked, we experimented, and we shared our culinary adventures. And you, our incredible community, showed this website an immense amount of love and engagement, making it a truly special year. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being a part of this journey!

As we look back, it’s always fascinating to see which recipes resonated most with you. This collection represents the dishes that captured your attention, filled your homes with delicious aromas, and brought smiles to your tables. These are the top recipes of 2020, based on your clicks, shares, and overall enthusiasm, presented in no particular order. Get ready to revisit some old favorites or discover new ones!

For more culinary inspiration and to explore past trends, take a look at our popular recipe lists from previous years:

• 2019
• 2018
• 2017
• 2016
• 2015
• 2014
• 2013
• 2012
• 2011
• 2010

Soft White Sandwich Bread

If there was one culinary trend that truly defined 2020, it was undoubtedly the resurgence of home bread baking. Our Soft White Sandwich Bread recipe quickly became a comforting staple for countless households. Its wonderfully tender crumb, subtle sweetness, and incredibly soft texture made it an instant hit, perfect for beginners and experienced bakers alike. There’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked bread filling your home, and this recipe delivers that pure comfort with ease.

This versatile bread is ideal for everything from classic peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to gourmet grilled cheese, or simply toasted and slathered with butter and jam for breakfast. It stores beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep, and it’s a fantastic way to ensure you always have wholesome, homemade bread on hand. Many readers shared their success stories, highlighting how satisfying it was to create such a fundamental item from scratch. If you’re looking for an approachable and rewarding bread-baking experience, this recipe is a must-try.

How to Make Caramel Apples

Making homemade caramel apples is such a fun and delicious activity, perfect for family time or a delightful treat at any time of year! In 2020, many of us sought out engaging kitchen projects, and this recipe provided just that. It’s a fantastic way to transform simple apples into an indulgent dessert, coated in rich, chewy caramel and customizable with your favorite toppings. From crushed nuts and sprinkles to chocolate drizzles or mini candies, the possibilities are endless.

This comprehensive tutorial includes detailed photos, step-by-step instructions, and my best tips and secrets for achieving perfectly coated, non-slipping caramel apples every time. We tackle common challenges and provide solutions, ensuring your caramel apples are as beautiful as they are tasty. Whether you’re preparing for a party, a seasonal gathering, or simply want to create a memorable treat at home, this guide makes the process straightforward and enjoyable. It’s a truly satisfying culinary endeavor that yields impressive results.

No-Churn S’mores Ice Cream

Sometimes, you just need a dessert that delivers maximum flavor with minimal fuss, and this No-Churn S’mores Ice Cream truly hits the mark. It has been a beloved favorite in our house for several summers, and I was thrilled to finally share the recipe in 2020. This ice cream requires no special equipment like an ice cream maker, making it incredibly accessible for everyone to create a rich, creamy, and deeply satisfying frozen treat right in their own kitchen.

Every spoonful is packed with the nostalgic flavors of a campfire s’more: sweet graham cracker crumble, generous chocolate chunks that melt deliciously, and perfectly toasted marshmallows. The combination of textures and flavors makes it an absolute showstopper. It’s perfect for summer gatherings, cozy movie nights, or anytime you crave a taste of that classic s’mores experience without the need for a bonfire. Its ease of preparation and irresistible taste made it a standout recipe, proving that delicious desserts don’t always require complicated steps.

Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

In a year where many of us were looking for healthier, homemade snack options, these Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars became a true hero. Sweet, hearty, and incredibly satisfying, they are miles better than any store-bought alternative. Forget artificial flavors and preservatives; these bars are packed with wholesome ingredients, making them a fantastic choice for breakfast on-the-go, an afternoon pick-me-up, or a lunchbox treat for the kids. My own children gave them two enthusiastic thumbs up, and I’m confident yours will too!

What makes these homemade granola bars so popular is not just their delicious taste and perfect chewy texture, but also how incredibly simple they are to make. A cinch to whip up with ingredients you likely already have in your pantry, they offer a customizable base. Feel free to add nuts, dried fruit, or different chocolate varieties to make them truly your own. This recipe empowered many readers to take control of their snack habits, providing a convenient and delicious solution for busy schedules while ensuring quality ingredients. They’re a smart, tasty investment in your home kitchen repertoire.

Classic Cheesecake

A truly exceptional Classic Cheesecake is a masterpiece of dessert, and I am incredibly proud of this perfected recipe. After much testing and tweaking, I can honestly say it’s the best cheesecake I’ve ever had – and many of you agreed! With its silky smooth texture, ultra-rich creaminess, and perfectly balanced graham cracker crust, this cheesecake quickly became a beloved showstopper. Creating a truly classic, New York-style cheesecake can seem daunting, but this recipe demystifies the process, allowing home bakers to achieve professional-level results.

The beauty of this classic lies in its simplicity and elegance. It’s a dessert that impresses without being overly complicated. We cover all the essential techniques, from preparing the perfect crust to baking without cracks, ensuring a stunning presentation every time. Whether served plain to let its creamy perfection shine, or topped with fresh berries, chocolate sauce, or a fruit compote, this cheesecake is a decadent treat for any special occasion or simply to elevate a quiet evening at home. Its popularity in 2020 highlights a desire for comforting, yet sophisticated, homemade indulgences.

Cinnamon-Sugar Pretzel Bites

Who can resist a warm, soft pretzel, especially when it’s coated in a sweet cinnamon-sugar blend? These Cinnamon-Sugar Pretzel Bites are precisely that: soft, buttery, and perfectly spiced, delivering an irresistible sweet treat that’s both comforting and incredibly delicious. They offer all the fun of a classic pretzel stand favorite, but with the added warmth and charm of being freshly made in your own kitchen. Their bite-sized nature makes them perfect for sharing, snacking, or serving at gatherings.

Making these delightful bites is a rewarding process, and the recipe guides you through each step to achieve that signature chewy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside texture. The simple cinnamon-sugar coating adds just the right amount of sweetness and spice, creating a truly addictive snack. They’re fantastic on their own, or you could even serve them with a cream cheese frosting for an extra decadent experience. This recipe was a hit in 2020 because it offered a creative and enjoyable baking project that yielded a crowd-pleasing, nostalgic treat.

Sheet Pan Sausage and Potatoes

When life gets busy, and especially in 2020 when we were all juggling more at home, quick and easy dinner solutions were paramount. This Sheet Pan Sausage and Potatoes recipe is the ultimate answer to that need: a simple, one-pan meal that’s ready in just 30 minutes! It quickly became a regular rotation at our house, and for good reason. It’s incredibly flavorful, requires minimal cleanup, and is endlessly adaptable to what you have on hand.

Packed with savory sausage, tender potatoes, and often complemented with vibrant vegetables like bell peppers or onions, this dish offers a complete and satisfying meal without fuss. The magic of a sheet pan meal lies in its efficiency – everything roasts together on one tray, infusing flavors and developing delicious caramelized edges. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, meal prepping, or when you simply want a hearty, wholesome dinner without spending hours in the kitchen. Its popularity underscores the collective desire for delicious, stress-free cooking in a demanding year.

Cherry Chip Cake with Whipped Vanilla Buttercream

Sometimes, only a classic cake will do, and this Cherry Chip Cake with Whipped Vanilla Buttercream offers a delightful taste of nostalgia. This recipe is a homemade version of a beloved boxed cake mix favorite, elevating the experience with fresh, quality ingredients for an even more tender crumb and vibrant cherry flavor. Smothered in a light and fluffy whipped vanilla buttercream, it’s not just a cake; it’s a celebration in itself! In fact, it’s my absolute favorite birthday cake.

The charming pink hue and delightful cherry bits speckled throughout make it visually appealing and incredibly inviting. It strikes the perfect balance between sweet and fruity, while the airy buttercream provides a luscious contrast. This cake is perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, or any occasion that calls for a truly special homemade dessert. Its popularity in 2020 reflects a craving for familiar, comforting flavors, reimagined with a homemade touch that brings joy and warmth to any gathering, big or small.

How to Make Pie Crust in a Food Processor

For many, the idea of making pie crust from scratch can be intimidating, but our guide on How to Make Pie Crust in a Food Processor revolutionized the process for countless home bakers in 2020. This method is hands-down the easiest and most foolproof way to achieve perfectly flaky, buttery pie crust every single time. It takes the guesswork and much of the physical effort out of traditional pastry making, making homemade pie crust accessible to everyone, regardless of their baking experience.

The food processor does all the hard work, quickly combining the ingredients to create a tender, workable dough that bakes up beautifully. You’ll learn the essential tips and tricks for successful pie crust, from maintaining the right temperature for your butter to handling the dough with care. This recipe’s popularity highlights a desire for efficiency without sacrificing quality, proving that you don’t need to be a pastry chef to enjoy the unparalleled taste and texture of a homemade pie crust. Once you try this method, you’ll never go back!

No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Bars

When the weather warms up, or when you simply crave a light yet indulgent dessert, these No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Bars are an absolute dream. This recipe was hands-down my kids’ favorite from the year, and honestly, I don’t blame them one bit! They are a fun, easy, and incredibly delicious summer dessert that requires no oven, making them perfect for hot days or when you want a quick sweet fix. The vibrant colors and refreshing flavors make them an instant crowd-pleaser.

Each bar features a rich, creamy no-bake cheesecake topping, beautifully complemented by a layer of sweet, jammy strawberries, all resting on a buttery graham cracker crust. The combination of textures—the crunch of the crust, the smooth creaminess of the cheesecake, and the soft burst of strawberries—is simply irresistible. These bars are not only delightful to eat but also surprisingly simple to assemble, making them an ideal project for family baking. They embody the joy of simple, flavorful desserts that bring smiles to everyone’s faces and were a much-loved bright spot in 2020.

What an incredible year of cooking, baking, and sharing! 2020 may have been a challenging time, but it also brought many of us closer to our kitchens and the comforting rituals of preparing food from scratch. We hope this look back at your favorite recipes inspires you to keep experimenting, creating, and enjoying delicious meals with your loved ones. Thank you once again for your incredible support and for making our community so vibrant. Here’s to many more years of culinary adventures together!