Discover the 10 Most Popular & Delicious Recipes of 2013: A Culinary Year in Review
As the curtains close on another remarkable year, we can hardly believe how quickly time flies! It feels like just yesterday we were embarking on new culinary adventures, and now, 2013 has come and gone, leaving a trail of incredibly delicious memories in its wake. This past year has been particularly special, as we shared a grand total of 125 unique recipes with our amazing community of home cooks and food enthusiasts. That’s a staggering amount of butter, sugar, spices, and downright deliciousness crafted and enjoyed!
Reflecting on a year filled with baking, cooking, and endless experimenting is always a joyous occasion. It’s a time to look back at the dishes that truly resonated with you, our loyal readers, and to celebrate the recipes that became instant favorites. These annual “best of” lists are more than just a countdown; they’re a testament to the collective love for good food and the joy of sharing. From comforting classics to innovative new twists, these top performers highlight the diverse tastes and preferences of our vibrant community. Today, we’re thrilled to present the definitive countdown of the 10 most popular recipes from the blog this past year, as chosen by your clicks, shares, and rave reviews. Get ready to revisit some beloved dishes and perhaps discover a new obsession!
The Countdown Begins: Our Top 10 Reader Favorites of 2013
10. Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Kicking off our top 10 list is a fantastic recipe that truly deserves its spot: the Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars. We were so delighted to see this healthier take on a classic comfort food make it into the top ranks! These bars offer all the chewy goodness and rich chocolate flavor you expect from a traditional chocolate chip cookie, but with the added benefits of whole wheat flour. It’s a brilliant way to enjoy a beloved treat with a slightly more wholesome touch. They are incredibly easy to whip up, perfect for a quick dessert, a lunchbox treat, or a bake sale. The rustic texture and satisfying sweetness make them an absolute winner, and it quickly became one of our personal favorites from the past year. If you haven’t tried them yet, you’re in for a delightful surprise!
9. Basic Pizza Dough
Coming in at number nine is a foundational recipe that became an absolute staple in our kitchen throughout 2013: the Basic Pizza Dough. It’s no exaggeration to say that this was the year of homemade pizza for us! This particular recipe quickly became our go-to pizza crust, and for very good reason. It’s reliable, easy to work with, and produces a wonderfully chewy yet crisp crust every single time. Mastering a good pizza dough recipe is a game-changer for any home cook, transforming weeknight dinners into fun, customizable, and utterly delicious experiences. Whether you prefer a thin and crispy crust or a thicker, chewier base, this versatile dough delivers. It’s the perfect canvas for all your favorite toppings, from classic margherita to gourmet combinations. We truly made what felt like a million pizzas with this recipe, and we encourage you to do the same!
8. Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
At number eight, we have a recipe that holds a very special place in our hearts: Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies. This isn’t just one of our favorites from 2013; it’s our all-time most favorite recipe ever to grace this blog, and the one we personally return to time and time again. What makes these cookies so exceptional? It’s the magical addition of brown butter, which imparts a nutty, caramelized depth of flavor that elevates the humble chocolate chip cookie to an entirely new level of gourmet deliciousness. The aroma alone when the butter is browning is enough to make your mouth water! These cookies are perfectly chewy in the center, with slightly crisp edges, and loaded with melty chocolate chips. If you’re looking for a chocolate chip cookie recipe that will truly impress and satisfy, look no further. It’s a masterpiece of flavor and texture that we simply can’t get enough of.
7. Crepe Cake with Whipped Chocolate Ganache
Securing the seventh spot is a truly stunning creation that showcases both elegance and indulgence: the Crepe Cake with Whipped Chocolate Ganache. This layered dessert was undoubtedly one of our most favorite creations of the entire year. It might look intricate, but the process of stacking delicate, thin crepes with luscious whipped chocolate ganache in between layers is surprisingly meditative and rewarding. The result is a show-stopping cake that is light, airy, and incredibly rich without being overly heavy. Each forkful offers a delightful contrast of tender crepes and cloud-like chocolate cream, melting in your mouth with every bite. It’s the perfect dessert for special occasions, celebrations, or when you simply want to impress your guests with something unique and utterly delicious. This crepe cake is a testament to the fact that sometimes, the most impressive desserts are also the most fun to assemble.
6. Blueberry Muffin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Sliding into the sixth position are these delightful Blueberry Muffin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting, a playful treat that blurs the lines between breakfast and dessert. Is it a muffin? Is it a cupcake? The answer is brilliantly, it’s both! These irresistible treats combine the wholesome, fruity goodness of a classic blueberry muffin with the indulgent sweetness of a cupcake, all crowned with a luscious, tangy cream cheese frosting. The blueberries burst with flavor, adding a juicy sweetness to the tender cake-like base, while the frosting provides a perfect counterpoint of creamy richness. They are ideal for a decadent brunch, a sweet afternoon snack, or a unique birthday treat. This recipe became incredibly popular because it offers the best of both worlds – a comforting, familiar flavor profile elevated with a touch of celebratory flair. You really can’t go wrong with these versatile and utterly delicious creations.
5. Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies
Claiming the fifth spot on our countdown are the truly decadent Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies – a chocolate and peanut butter lover’s dream come true! This recipe perfectly marries the intense richness of fudgy chocolate brownies with swirls of creamy, salty-sweet peanut butter. The contrast in textures and flavors is absolutely heavenly, making each bite an explosion of pure bliss. It’s the kind of treat that makes you close your eyes in enjoyment. We almost forgot about this gem until we reviewed the year’s top recipes, and seeing its popularity instantly reminded us that it’s high time to make it again! The beauty of these brownies lies in their simplicity combined with their incredible impact. They’re easy enough for any home baker but yield results that taste like they came from a gourmet bakery. If you’re a fan of the classic chocolate and peanut butter pairing, this recipe is an absolute must-try. You’ll thank us later!
4. Homemade Burger Buns
Coming in at number four, proving that readers truly appreciate the finer details of a meal, are our Homemade Burger Buns. These buns are quite simply perfect, and once you try them, you’ll likely never want to use store-bought again! A truly great burger starts with a fantastic bun, and this recipe delivers exactly that: soft, fluffy, slightly sweet, and sturdy enough to hold all your favorite burger fixings without falling apart. What’s even more impressive about this recipe is that we actually baked these on our grill, a method we shared in a separate post about how to bake on a grill! This innovative technique adds another layer of versatility to your outdoor cooking. Elevate your summer barbecues and everyday burger nights with these incredible homemade buns – they truly make all the difference, transforming a simple meal into something extraordinary.
3. Peanut Butter Buttercream
The bronze medal position, number three, goes to a recipe with a truly fascinating backstory: Peanut Butter Buttercream. Honestly, we can hardly believe this recipe made it to the top of the list! The cake it was originally intended for was, by all accounts, a total failure and almost didn’t make it to the blog. However, we’re incredibly glad it did, because you, our wonderful readers, went absolutely nuts for this buttercream! And rightly so, because despite its humble beginnings, this frosting is truly incredible. It’s rich, creamy, perfectly sweet, and bursting with authentic peanut butter flavor. It transforms any cake, cupcake, or even a simple spoon into a delightful treat. This recipe is a fantastic reminder that sometimes, even from perceived failures, culinary magic can emerge. Its immense popularity is a testament to its irresistible taste and versatility. If you’re a peanut butter fan, this buttercream is an absolute game-changer for your baking repertoire.
2. Homemade Apple Pie Filling
Nearing the top of our list, at an impressive number two, is our Homemade Apple Pie Filling. This recipe became a runaway success for its practicality and deliciousness. There’s something incredibly satisfying about preserving your own fruit, and this apple pie filling makes the entire process of pie baking practically stress-free! Imagine having perfectly spiced, tender apple filling ready to go, allowing you to whip up a fresh, homemade apple pie whenever the craving strikes, without the fuss of peeling and slicing apples from scratch. It’s perfect for autumn harvests but can be enjoyed year-round. This recipe empowers home bakers to embrace the joys of canning and enjoy the freshest flavors long after the season ends. It’s not just a recipe; it’s a way to simplify your baking and ensure you always have the makings of a comforting, classic dessert at your fingertips. Truly a brilliant and highly useful addition to any kitchen.
1. Southern Coconut Cake
And finally, taking the coveted number one spot as the most popular recipe of 2013 is the magnificent Southern Coconut Cake! This recipe, though it had been on our site for a few years prior, truly soared to new heights this year. Its resurgence in popularity can be attributed to a stunning new photo shoot that beautifully captured its charm, and an improved frosting recipe that made it utterly irresistible. This Southern Coconut Cake is an absolute showstopper – moist, tender coconut cake layers enveloped in a rich, creamy, and intensely coconut-flavored frosting, generously adorned with shredded coconut. It’s a timeless classic that evokes comfort, celebration, and pure indulgence. It’s likely to go down as the most popular and best-reviewed recipe on our blog, a truly deserving champion of the #1 spot. If you want to experience the pinnacle of classic Southern baking, this cake is an absolute must-make. Its continued popularity speaks volumes about its unparalleled deliciousness and enduring appeal.
A Year of Culinary Delights: Reflecting on Our Favorites and Looking Ahead
What an incredible journey through the culinary landscape of 2013! This countdown of our top 10 most popular recipes serves as a wonderful snapshot of the flavors and dishes that captured your hearts and taste buds this past year. From comforting cookie bars and essential pizza dough to sophisticated crepe cakes and the ultimate Southern Coconut Cake, each recipe represents a moment of delicious creation and shared joy.
We are so incredibly grateful for your continued support, your enthusiastic comments, your shared photos, and your unwavering passion for good food. You, our dear readers, are the heart and soul of this blog, and your engagement truly makes every recipe shared a magical experience. Thank you so much for helping to make 2013 such a truly memorable and delicious year. We’re already buzzing with excitement for what 2014 holds, eager to share even more culinary adventures, inspiring recipes, and delightful creations with all of you. Here’s to another year of cooking, baking, and eating wonderfully!