Following up on the top 10 recipes for 2013, here are the top 10 recipes for 2014. These were the highlights of a slow, yet interesting year.
#1. In January I made Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars. Some versions call for packaged cookie dough, but this recipe uses a scratch dough.
#2. February was kind of a dark month, but one bright spot was this Coconut Cream Pie with Pineapple. It starts with pudding mix and condensed milk, so it's perfect bakers who don't make a lot of pies.
#3. In March, I sent a batch of these Chocolate Whoopie Pies to Fuzz's school and they disappeared in seconds. Not sure why I don't make Whoopie Pies more often.
#4. In May I started making cookies and treats for the local baseball team (and their parents). One recipe that got a lot of good feedback was called Megan's Favorite Oatmeal Cookies. They're big, soft, and not too sweet.
#5. Another cookie recipe that went over well was called White Chocolate Chunk Lemon Pudding Cookies. They were experimental, but we really liked the flavor and texture. Unfortunately, shortening is key or they won't turn out quite right.
#6. Towards the end of the summer David's Double Fudge Cookies appeared on the scene.They're rich, satisfying and made with ingredients that are almost always around.
#7. July's standout recipe was Mocha Latte Fudge Swirl Ice Cream. This was the year the whole family started liking coffee flavored ice cream.
#8. In September, a friend requested Crème Brulee, a dessert I like, but don't order or make very much since I tend to choose chocolate. I found a good looking Cook's Illustrated recipe, modified it to serve two people and now have a "house" crème brulee recipe.
#9. In October this award winning recipe for a Key lime pie made with cream cheese came into our lives. It may not be authentic, but it was the best I'd ever made and probably the only one I'll serve (for a while).
#10. In November I went crazy and said to throw away all your chocolate cake recipes because this chocolate layer cake is one's the best. You'll have to decide for yourself.
So those are 10 good ones, but I know I'm forgetting a ton of others. Just this month I rediscovered Fine Cooking Creamy Fudge and realized that I should not have caramel corn in the house even though it's a lot of fun to make. I also discovered Buttermilk Pie (which I never thought I'd like) and learned a new recipe called Basque cake. Some days I feel like I've tried almost everything, but just when I'm ready to throw in the towel, another interesting recipe appears and I keep going. Some things I'm looking forward to trying in 2015 are more good fudge recipes (because honestly, so many of them are bad!), more caramel corn, more chocolate pie, more gluten free things (even though I probably missed the boat and now everyone's moved on) and maybe more savory recipes.
Katrina says
I made those fudgy ones gf when you posted them and just thought of them and need to make them again. Though I received The Sweet Freedom Bakery book for Christmas and now must go make those chocolate chips cookies, since I already have everything for them and haven't used the book yet.
Jessica says
I made those oatmeal cookies after you first posted them and they are some of my new favorites. (I used chocolate chips though.)
Anna says
Happy New Year, David! Thanks again for sharing the recipe.
David Bell says
Anna,
Thanks for featuring the Double Fudge Cookie recipe I sent you as one of your top ten of 2014. I made lots of candy for Christmas and New Year's Eve, so I didn't get to make any of them over the holidays. It was so unexpected to see the recipe on your website again! Thanks for the honor!
David Bell
Maureen says
Thanks for the CCC info!
I'll be trying the Gourmet and the thin and crispy recipes. They sound delicious!
Anna says
Hi Jessie! Yes, there definitely some high points this year :). If you make the Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars, would you do me a favor and put some M&Ms in them? I keep meaning to, but haven't gotten around to it.
CakeSpy says
Every one of these sounds like a winner, but the cheesecake bars are not only calling to me...they're like, wailing my name. <3 I feel like we got even closer in 2014 and I'm thankful for that!
Anna says
One more chocolate chip cookie recommendation! If you can get your hands on a copy of The Sweet Freedom Bakery cookbook, try the chocolate chip cookie recipe. You'll have to purchase Bob's gluten free flour, coconut sugar and xanthan gum, but those cookies have an interesting flavor and texture. They're not only the best allergen free cookies I've ever had, but maybe one of the best chocolate chip. They are different, though!!!
Anna says
Hi Maureen! That's a good question. I love making the New York Times recipe and using Scharffen Berger chocolate chunks. You really can't go wrong that recipe, but you should always serve them either the day they're made or freeze them. They are not very good on day 2.
Here's a link.
https://www.cookiemadness.net/2008/07/the-latest-new-york-times-chocolate-chip-cookies/
My personal favorite that I make for myself is this old recipe from Gourmet. If I use 4.5 oz of flour per cup, they spread a lot and I have to push them inward with a spatula (right before I pull them out of the oven) to form rounds. If I use 5 oz flour per cup, they're a little less spread-y. The texture also changes based on what brand/type flour you use, how much you pack the sugar, what oven you use and probably other things as well, but they are delicious every time . I love this recipe.
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Chocolate-Chip-Cookies-108703
Maureen says
Hi Anna,
Love your site! You have so many chocolate chip recipes and I've tried a bunch - they are all great btw... what's your current favorite?
d says
Thanks! I love when you post your annual favorites!!
Anna says
Thanks Michelle! I'll look for it. A few people have given me fudge recipes in the past few days, so maybe I'll spend January focusing on fudge.
Michelle says
Happy New Year, Anna! Thanks for this list, looking forward to trying the chocolate cake at our next family Bday. I made fudge for the first time this Xmas and while I still found it too rich (I might not be a fudge person) the topping was amazing! The recipe is Brown Sugar Bourbon Fudge from Bon Appetit. You might want to try it!
Anna says
Comments are on! If you tried to post one earlier, I apologize. Not sure what happened because WordPress usually defaults to allow comments, but this time it didn't.