Hi friend, hope all’s well with you today. It’s almost time to ring in 2016, and hard to fathom 2015 is nearly over. Taking a quick moment here to say a heartfelt thanks to each of you for your love, support and encouragement this past year. I’m grateful for all I’ve learned, the wonderful people I’ve met and precious friends I’ve reconnected with along the way during my first year of blogging. It was a big learning curve and an exciting journey. Thanks for coming along for the ride.
Today I’m sharing the Top 2015 Recipes from Through Her Looking Glass. Maybe you missed a few along the way or are curious which recipes took off on Pinterest and social media this year.
The Famous Brick Street Chocolate Cake was the top viewed recipe here in 2015, and was given to me by a southern friend who regularly makes this cake for the local fire and police stations in town. It’s also served at the Brick Street Cafe in Greenville, SC for $5 a slice. Linda told me this recipe would make me famous. (She may be right!) This is the best chocolate cake I’ve ever tasted.
This pretty Crunchy Asian Salad came in second place in 2015 and I can see why. The bright colors and tangy flavors blend perfectly with the cabbage, toasted sesame seeds and ramen noodles. Crunchy, sweet and addictive. This healthy salad is the perfect year round side dish and adds vibrant color to any menu.
This Blueberry Pound Cake came in at #3 on the blog. I’m such a blueberry lover and blueberries are a New England thang. (Yeah I meant to say that.) My boys and I pick pounds and pounds of blueberries each July to make jars and jars of blueberry jam, blueberry muffins and this Blueberry Pound Cake. You can’t go wrong with fresh butter, sugar, pure vanilla and blueberries. This dense and buttery pound cake is packed with plump, juicy blueberries. A dollop of whipped cream on top is utter bliss.
Coming in at #4 are these Jordan Marsh Blueberry Muffins. The fancy sugar-crusted muffins are legend in New England and the Boston area, and were baked at the Jordan Marsh department store bakeries for decades. Sadly Jordan Marsh is no longer in business, but these scrumptious muffins bring back the memories, tastes and wonderful smells of a by-gone era. This recipe is the original and you won’t be disappointed with these gigantic blueberry muffins.
A December 2004 Boston Globe article said, “For decades, any decent downtown shopping trip ended at Jordan Marsh, where the promise of a sugar-crusted blueberry muffin could make annoying children angelic.” (Jordan Marsh, where are you when I need you???)
And last but not least, these Gingersnaps came in at #5. These cookies are beautifully crackly and crunchy on the outside, slightly chewy in the center, rolled in sugar just before baking. Oven warm, Gingersnaps are the perfect companion to a tall glass of ice cold milk or lemonade. Or a steaming mug of spicy chai tea in winter. (Hint: dip one in Lemon Curd for a real treat.)
Would love to hear if you tried one of these Top 2015 Recipes, and cheers to a scrumptious culinary year ahead in 2016!
Carina says
A big cheer for the 5 star Blueberry Pound Cake from this corner! There is nothing I don’t love about that recipe!! Dear Allie, I remember the rainy evening in spring when I found your post about a rainy day. 🙂 The beautiful pictures and story were a comfort at a sad time, and I am so thankful to have found your blog and to have connected with you, friend. Congrats on an amazing year, and I look forward to reading along in 2016. Xo
Allie says
Thank you for the kind words Carina, I’ve loved your beautiful and insightful blog http://www.homehurrah.com also. Always makes me slow down and ponder, think. I look forward to our 2016! Wishing you and your sweet family a wonderful year! xo
Judy says
Kudos for your first FABULOUS year of blogging! Love those recipes and yes, we’ve tried many of them! Sweet and savory alike, your pictures and descriptions have tempted us to “vary the tune” around here, and we’ve enjoyed coming along for the ride! XOXO
Allie says
Oh you are so kind! 🙂 It’s been quite a year and glad you have have tried and enjoyed some of these recipes. XOXO
Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom says
Allie, it has been my pleasure to follow you this year. I have loved all these recipes, but oh boy do I love that Asian slaw. I am wishing you the best 2016 has to offer. Love!
Nancy Hammett says
Enjoyed recipes and other post this year . Happy. Year and Gods Blessing for the New Year.
Allie says
Thank you so much Nancy, wishing you and your sweet family a year of joy and blessing ahead. Happy 2016!
Aunt Pinkie says
What fun your blog has been- with so many fabulous recipes, along with touching stories! Love starting the day with THLG! GOD bless in 2016!
Allie says
Dear Aunt Pinkie, thank you for cheerfully following along and commenting this past year. I always smile to see your comments. Glad we connected in October, though the circumstances weren’t ideal. Wishing you a year of peace and joy to come. Happy New Year! XOXO
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
Dear Allie – I am so glad and honored to have bumped into you out here on the interwebs – your recipes are stellar but I’m surprised one of my favs of yours -the Pumpkin Spice Sugared Pecans – didn’t make the list! As of today, Dec 31st I had to promise myself not to buy any more pecans cos, gosh darn it, they all ended up being pumpkin-spice-sugared ones and I lose control around them! GAH! For that reason, I don’t trust myself to make that Chocolate cake unless I have like 50 people over – it looks and sounds wonderful, but I might do what Bruce Bogtrotter did in Matilda – only I’d enjoy every bite! 🙂
I hope you and your family have a wonderfully joyous 2016 – Blessings, my sweet friend!
Allie says
It’s been such a joy to get to know you this year Shashi. Ain’t it interesting how providence works? Glad you liked the sugared pecans, I made four pounds of them this year for Christmas gifts and packaged them IMMEDIATELY so I wouldn’t get into them, which I am VERY prone to do. I haven’t seen Matilda but you know I will now, just to see what Bruce Bogtrotter did. Wishing you and yours a wonderful, joy-filled New Year. I look forward to seeing all the great recipes and stories you have in store for 2016 on http://www.runninsrilankan.com ! XOXO
Susie Mandel says
I can personally attest to numbers 2 and 4, as I have made and LOVED both. I can certainly see why chocolate is #1. Chocolate is always a winner in my book, and I can’t wait to make that lovely, scrumptious-looking cake!! Allie, I am so happy for you and your success with your wonderful blog. You are a treasure and talent and I am so blessed to call you my friend! xoxo, Susie
Allie says
Thanks so much for the very kind words Susie, always grateful for your friendship and support, especially in this first year blogging journey! You’ve been there through it ALL! 🙂 Wishing you and Jac and Julia a wonderful year ahead in 2016, especially with Jac’s newest album More than Animal…https://www.reverbnation.com/morethananimal XOXO
Susie Mandel says
Thanks for the plug! 🙂
Allie says
Ha ha, you know I only plug things I believe in. I cleaned my bedroom the other day. (It was a disaster, trust me.) While listening to More Than Animal for the first time. It was quite a pleasant distraction! Kudos to Jac! (And his support system.)
Manila Spoon (Abigail) says
I really wish I have the proper oven to make that amazing chocolate cake of yours Allie! Every time I see it on my pinterest newsfeed I want to grab it for a quick bite! I am not surprised at all that it is one of your most popular – it looks simply divine! I love the rest of your fab collection, too! I wish I can have a taste of each! Wishing you and your family bountiful blessings in 2016!!!
Sherri @ Watch Learn Eat says
Hi Allie! All of these look fabulous! I’m looking forward to seeing what you have in store for 2016! Happy New Year!
Karla @SmallTownRambler says
Allie, I have enjoyed connecting with you and reading your blog along the way. I remember the first post I read, which was the DIY Clementine Wreath. I loved your blog right away and have appreciated your friendship. I hope you have a blessed new year and I look forward to more ideas and recipes from THLG…Happy New Year!
Christy Smith says
So terrific to have these top 2015 recipes. I have made three of them but will now endeavor to make the blueberry muffins and pound cake! Wishing you and your inspiring and fun blog a tremendous 2016!!
Allie says
Awww…thank you dear Christy, wishing you and yours a wonderful 2016 ahead for all the Smiths! Especially in your newest venture with Rodan & Fields! Love you. XOXO
Tracy says
Congratulations on a wonderful year! You should be proud of yourself. I think your blog is a huge success! I check the recipe section often, knowing I will find something delicious to make for my family! I have made the Jordan Marsh muffins (best I ever had) and many, many other recipes not on this list. I have enjoyed your stories. You are a wonderful writer and have touched my heart many times. So not only Congratulations……but Thankyou Allie! Here’s to another wonderful year of blogging!! Happy New Year!
Allie says
Thanks dear friend, you’ve been such an encouragement on this journey. So thankful for your support and encouragement along the way, all year long. What a year, huh? We are not sorry to say goodbye to 2015 and look forward to hope and joys in 2016. Happy New Year Tracy, to you and all your boys! XO
Liv @ Healthy Liv says
The brick street chocolate cake looks SO good! I’m super loyal to my favorite black magic cake recipe, but this one looks so delicious that I may have to put it on my to-make list. Thanks for sharing, Allie!
Eva says
Chère Allie, ça ma fait très plaisir trouver ton blog, tes recettes, les aventures de ta petite famille, ta ville….tout est vraiment mignon et J’espère qu’on 2016 on va continuer à se découvrir! Je te souhaite une très belle année remplit d’amour et bon santé ! xoxo (Translation: Dear Allie , it made me very happy to find your blog, your recipes , the adventures of your little family, your city … .all is really cute and I hope that in 2016 we will continue to discover! I wish you a wonderful year filled with love and good health! xoxo)
Karen @ On the Banks of Salt Creek says
Those recipes definitely deserve top pick.
It will be a while before I give those delicious looking sweets a try.
I’m pretty much sugared out at the moment.
Have a great 2016.
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