A Year of Sweet Memories: Our Top 10 Best Baking Recipes from 2011
As we bid farewell to another incredible year, it feels almost surreal how quickly time flies. The calendar has turned, and 2011 now becomes a cherished memory, especially as we look forward to the exciting changes 2012 promises. For me, the first half of the past year feels like a delightful blur of creative energy and kitchen adventures, while the latter part was beautifully overshadowed by the sweet anticipation of a new family member arriving this Spring. Amidst all the personal milestones and joyful expectations, one constant remained: my unwavering passion for baking. My kitchen was a hub of activity, filled with the comforting aromas of freshly baked goods, new experiments, and time-tested favorites. It was truly a year dedicated to the art and joy of baking.
Looking back, it was incredibly challenging to distill all those delicious moments into a concise list. However, I managed to narrow it down to what I consider my absolute top baking recipes from 2011. These aren’t just recipes; they’re snapshots of moments, celebrations, and simple pleasures shared with loved ones. Each one holds a special place in my culinary heart, representing the creativity and comfort I found in the kitchen throughout the year. I’m thrilled to share these culinary highlights with you, hoping they inspire your own baking adventures and perhaps encourage you to revisit some of these fantastic treats.
Before diving into the delectable details, I want to take a moment to express my profound gratitude to all of you, my wonderful readers. Your comments, emails, and continued visits to Completely Delicious are the fuel that keeps this blog thriving. Knowing that you enjoy these culinary journeys with me is incredibly flattering and motivating. Your engagement makes this community so vibrant and meaningful, and I genuinely look forward to every interaction. Thank you for being such an integral part of this space. Here’s to an even more amazing 2012, a year I hope is brimming with accomplished goals, cherished relationships, and, of course, an abundance of fantastic food to share and enjoy!
Our Favorite Baked Delights of 2011: A Culinary Journey
Let’s revisit some of the most memorable and beloved baking creations that emerged from my kitchen in 2011. Each recipe below is a testament to the joy of homemade treats and the endless possibilities that flour, sugar, and butter can offer. From classic comfort foods to innovative desserts, this list encapsulates a year of delicious discovery.
1. The Ultimate Comfort: Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
If there’s one recipe that truly stole my heart and became an instant classic, it’s these Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies. This isn’t just another chocolate chip cookie recipe; it’s *the* chocolate chip cookie recipe that redefined my expectations. The secret lies in the brown butter, which imparts a nutty, deeply caramelized flavor that elevates these cookies far beyond the ordinary. Each bite offers that perfect balance of crispy edges and a chewy, soft center, studded generously with melty chocolate chips. I don’t hesitate to boast that these are damn near perfect, and they quickly became my go-to for any occasion requiring a truly exceptional treat. They were a delightful start to the year and set a high bar for all subsequent baking endeavors, proving that a classic can always be improved upon.
2. Bright & Zesty Mornings: Clementine Buttermilk Scones
Kicking off the year with a burst of citrus, these Clementine Buttermilk Scones were one of the first recipes I shared in 2011, and they left a lasting impression. Delightfully simple to make, they are the epitome of an elegant yet comforting breakfast or afternoon tea treat. The vibrant tartness of the clementine zest beautifully complements the rich, tender crumb achieved with buttermilk, creating a scone that is both light and incredibly flavorful. They were an ingenious way to utilize abundant winter citrus and brought a ray of sunshine to chilly mornings. Paired with a cup of coffee or tea, these scones were a little slice of heaven and quickly became a family favorite, demonstrating the charm of simple, fresh ingredients.
3. Mastering the Art: How to Build a Layer Cake
While not a recipe in the traditional sense, my tutorial on How to Build a Layer Cake was undeniably one of the most popular and personally rewarding posts of the year. This comprehensive guide walked readers through the essential steps of assembling a stunning layered cake, transforming what can seem like a daunting task into an accessible and enjoyable one. Writing this post was a joy, as I love demystifying baking techniques for others and empowering them in the kitchen. The accompanying recipe, Yellow Cake with Fudge Buttercream, provided the perfect canvas for demonstrating these skills, resulting in a classic and delicious dessert. This post proved that sometimes, understanding the “how-to” is just as important, if not more, than just having the ingredients list, making it a truly valuable resource for home bakers.
4. An Unexpected Delight: Basil Ice Cream
Venturing into the wonderfully unusual, the Basil Ice Cream was undoubtedly one of the most surprising and innovative dishes to emerge from my kitchen in 2011. If my husband were asked to pick his favorite dessert of the year, this unique creation would hands-down be his choice. The herbaceous, slightly peppery notes of fresh basil, infused into a creamy, sweet ice cream base, created an incredibly sophisticated and refreshing dessert experience. It was an adventurous experiment that paid off beautifully, proving that sometimes the best flavors come from unexpected combinations. This ice cream was a delightful palate cleanser and a conversation starter, perfect for a warm summer evening, leaving everyone who tried it utterly charmed and wanting more of its distinctive flavor.
5. Gluten-Free Perfection: Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies
For those seeking a simpler, naturally gluten-free option that doesn’t compromise on flavor, my Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies were an absolute revelation. These cookies continue to be a runaway hit with everyone who tries them, and for good reason. They are incredibly simple to make, requiring just four basic ingredients, yet they deliver an intensely peanut-buttery flavor and a wonderfully chewy texture. The magic lies in their minimalist approach, proving that you don’t need a long ingredient list to create something truly delicious and satisfying. Their natural gluten-free status makes them a fantastic option for those with dietary restrictions, or simply anyone looking for an effortlessly tasty and satisfying cookie that’s always a crowd-pleaser and a staple in many kitchens.
6. A Slice of Summer: Summer Berry Pie
When summer rolls around, there are few things as utterly sublime and comforting as a homemade berry pie. My Summer Berry Pie truly delivered on this promise, capturing the essence of the season in every delightful bite. The recipe features a medley of luscious, ripe berries encased in a perfectly flaky, golden-brown pie crust. The natural sweetness and slight tartness of the berries, combined with the buttery richness of the pastry, created a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. It was the perfect dessert for warm evenings, family gatherings, or simply a treat to savor on a quiet afternoon. This pie is a celebration of summer’s bounty and remains a timeless favorite for its simplicity and pure, unadulterated deliciousness that brings smiles to every table.
7. Unconventional Baking: Dashboard Choc Chip Cookies
Yes, you read that right – two chocolate chip cookie recipes in my top ten! But these Dashboard Choc Chip Cookies weren’t just delicious; they were an experiment in unconventional baking that proved incredibly fun and surprisingly successful. Baked right inside my car using only the power of the sun, this creative endeavor was born out of curiosity and a love for pushing culinary boundaries. It was a unique project that garnered a lot of attention and proved that baking doesn’t always have to happen in a traditional kitchen with an oven. While perhaps not an everyday baking method, it was an unforgettable culinary adventure that resulted in perfectly edible, delightfully warm cookies. It’s a testament to the fact that innovation can happen anywhere, even on a sunny dashboard!
8. A Refreshing Twist: Peach Sangria Sorbet
Last summer, I developed a serious obsession with sangria, a delightful beverage that inspired me to create an equally enchanting dessert: Peach Sangria Sorbet. This sorbet beautifully captures the vibrant, fruity essence of sangria in a refreshing, icy treat. The sweet, juicy peaches blend harmoniously with notes of citrus and a hint of wine, creating a sophisticated and utterly irresistible flavor profile. On a scorching summer day, there is truly nothing better than a scoop (or two!) of this perfectly chilled sorbet. It’s an adult-friendly dessert that offers a wonderful balance of sweetness and tang, making it an ideal ending to any summer meal or a standalone treat to beat the heat. This recipe was a highlight of my summer baking and chilling experiments, bringing a taste of festivity to every spoonful.
9. Festive Elegance: Cranberries and Cream Tart
As the year drew to a close and the holiday season approached, the Cranberries and Cream Tart became a spectacular centerpiece. It’s hard to pinpoint what I loved most about this tart because every component was simply incredible. Was it the crisp, nutty pecan cookie crust that provided the perfect foundation and a delightful textural contrast? Or perhaps the rich, velvety cream filling that melted in your mouth with every spoonful? And let’s not forget the homemade cranberry sauce, bursting with tart-sweet flavor, elegantly crowning the dessert with its jewel-toned vibrancy. Together, these elements created a harmonious masterpiece that was both visually stunning and absolutely delicious. This tart was a testament to festive baking, offering sophistication and comfort in equal measure, and it quickly earned its spot as a holiday favorite, perfect for sharing and impressing guests.
10. Sweet & Savory Delight: Apple Gouda Hand Pies
Rounding out our list of 2011’s top bakes are these wonderfully unique Apple Gouda Hand Pies. These delightful pastries had been on my “to-bake” list for ages, and I’m so glad I finally made them a reality this past fall. The combination of sweet, tender apples and warm cinnamon, perfectly balanced with the savory, slightly nutty notes of Gouda cheese, all encased in a flaky, buttery pastry, creates an utterly irresistible treat. Each hand pie is a perfect portion of comfort and flavor, making them ideal for a cozy snack, a picnic, or a unique dessert. It’s a sweet-and-savory combination that truly works, offering a sophisticated twist on traditional apple pastries and proving that sometimes the best flavors come from unexpected pairings. They were a delightful discovery and a memorable addition to my autumn baking repertoire.
Looking Ahead: What’s Baking in 2012?
As we transition into 2012, I’m filled with excitement for all the new culinary adventures that await. This past year of baking has been incredibly fulfilling, not just in the delicious treats created, but in the lessons learned and the joy shared. It’s a wonderful tradition to look back and reflect on the moments that shaped us, and for me, many of those memorable moments were spent in the comforting embrace of my kitchen, experimenting, creating, and sharing.
Now, I’d love to hear from you, my cherished readers! What was the absolute best thing you baked or cooked in 2011? Perhaps a new family favorite, a challenging triumph, or a simple dessert that brought immense joy? Share your culinary highlights and what made them so special to you in the comments below! Also, what new flavors, techniques, or ingredients are you most looking forward to trying in 2012? Are there any specific types of recipes—be it bread, pastries, cakes, cookies, or savory bakes—that you would love to see featured here on Completely Delicious? Your feedback is invaluable and helps shape the future content of this blog. Let’s make 2012 an even more delicious year, full of shared passion for food and baking!