Hi friends! Here we are, on the very cusp of 2108. Happy New Year! 2017 was a remarkable year for me personally and also on the blog. And across the world too. It hardly seems possible the New Year is finally here, but I’m SO glad it is!
We just got back from a few days up in the tundra of Quebec City over New Year’s weekend. The Northeast is experiencing a cold snap right now, and -24 on the thermometer in Quebec City was beyond frigid. I’m thankful to still have a nose!
And so, without further ado…. here’s the countdown of your top favorite recipes here in 2017!
#10 Authentic Italian Ricotta Pie
Creamy and delicious, this ricotta pie is an authentic recipe from the old country. This pie has a lighter texture than cheesecake. Some add rice to Italian Ricotta Pie, but this recipe doesn’t. This scrumptious pie is not overly sweet, and is traditionally savored on Easter. But perfect for any special occasion.
#9 Jordan Marsh Blueberry Muffins
Jordan Marsh Blueberry Muffins continue to be popular here. What’s not to love? Moist, bakery-style muffins studded with blueberries and topped with crunch bakery sugar. This is an old New England recipe from the days of the Jordan Marsh department stores in Boston.
#8 Peanut Butter & Chocolate Acorns
These cute little Peanut Butter & Chocolate Acorns will have all your little squirrels rushing right over to help! These are a fun project do with the kids or grandkids, fast and easy! Many of you made these for Thanksgiving favors this year. (Me too!)
#7 Cinnamon Streusel Apple Coffee Cake
This Cinnamon Streusel Apple Coffee Cake is a new recipe on the blog this year and I guess you really loved it! My kids love the thick streusel topping. Apples are so good in coffee cake! The inspiration for this cake came following a family apple picking adventure in Vermont.
#6 Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Frosting
This light and creamy Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Frosting is out of this world good with the vanilla bean specks! (Use vanilla bean paste you buy in the baking section near the vanilla extract.) Everything’s more delicious with vanilla beans, especially frosting for cake and cupcakes!
#5 Grilled Corn, Basil and Tomato Salad
You all (note I did not say ya’ll, despite my many years living in the south!) 🙂 enjoyed this Grilled Corn, Basil and Tomato Salad so much this past summer!!! That salty feta with the grilled corn, fresh basil and ripe garden tomatoes is the best combination on the planet. I think we made it weekly this past summer with freshly picked New England corn. Summer can’t come soon enough!
#4 Ultimate Three Cheese Gruyere Mac and Cheese
Creamy Mac and Cheese with Gruyere (and cheddar and dry jack!) is incredible. We like this as a main dish with a leafy green salad. In fact, I’m making it at our house tonight, by popular request!
#3 How to make Sweet, Stiff Whipped Cream
I was surprised that Sweet Stiff Whipped Cream landed as #3. But it’s so easy to make and it helps all those spectacular desserts using whipped cream to STAY spectacular. No more trifles that fall. This easy recipe for stiff whipped cream keeps pies, cakes and other desserts extraordinaire looking their best for days.
#2 Jordan Pond House Best Popover Recipe
These Jordan Pond House Popovers are the bomb, especially piping hot from the oven, slathered in butter. We discovered them when we visited The Jordan Pond House in Acadia National Park (Maine) a few summers ago. These are known regionally as the best popovers in all of New England, hope you try them this year! (Charlie and I made them over Christmas vacation.)
#1 Famous Brick Street Chocolate Cake
And last but not least…. the Famous Brick Street Chocolate Cake was #1. I’m so glad you love chocolate as much as I do, we can be good friends. (Chocolate should be listed as one of the superfoods.) Seriously, this is one of the best chocolate cake recipes on the planet. If you haven’t already, you gotta try the Brick Street Chocolate Cake in 2018! It’s the perfect dessert centerpiece for Easter, 4th of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas. And any other grand occasion.
Thanks for being such awesome readers and friends, providing great feedback throughout the year with your thoughtful comments, suggestions, shares and pins! I look forward to sharing many new recipes and ideas in the coming year.
Wishing you and your family a wonderful year of health, joy and peace in 2018! Cheers!!!
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
While they are all delicious recipes, the peanut butter and chocolate acorns just make you smile.
Louise Achor says
They all look great!
Mary Judd says
All of your recipes are so yummy. Happy “frigid” New Year
Carol says
Perfectly beautiful and inspiring recipes to start the new year! Thank you for posting great flavors from all my favorite food groups, especially that chocolate cake.it is what dreams are made of.
Allie says
Hi Carol, so nice to hear from you and thank you so much! Wishing you a beautiful New Year full of joy, blessing and excellent food!
Susie Mandel says
It is quite amusing that most of the top 10 are desserts! And I can say from personal experience the Brick Street Chocolate Cake is awesome!! In my book, chocolate IS a superfood. 😉 (So glad you were able to get to Quebec again. As you know, we love it there!)
Allie says
Hi Susie – I was so thrilled to see on Facebook that you tried the Brick Street Cake at Christmas. It looked great! Delish! We loved our return visit to Quebec, wanted to bring the kids after our initial visit a few years ago. So much history. We didn’t cross the St. Lawrence on the ferry this time around, with -24 temps we thought perhaps we’d hold off this time around. 🙂 Happy New Year to you and J & J! XO
Nisha @ Honey, What's Cooking says
omg I am loving that mac and cheese.. with gryere.. yum!!!!!! It’s been so cold in NYC.. love comfort food this time of year.
brigitte says
Que de belles et savoureuses recettes Allie!J’en profite pour te souhaiter une belle année 2018 ainsi qu’à tes proches! Que cette nouvelle année soit celle où tous tes souhaits se réalisent, gros bisous! Brigitte
Allie says
Merci, mon ami. Heureuse nouvelle année! XO
Eva says
Dear Allie, je suis ravie de suivre ton blog! Il est fresh et, authentique ! J’aime suivre tes recettes ainsi que les aventures de ta petite famille (pas si petite que ça) Je te souhaite une très belle année entouré de ta famille, plein d’amour, santé et des belles surprises! xoxo
Allie says
Awww … tu es si gentille Eva. J’aime avoir de vos nouvelles et suivre votre beau blog aussi. Heureuse nouvelle année, mon ami. XO
Tracy says
Another hidden talent Allie?! You sound pretty fluent in your french👍😊 Anyway this was a nice way to show case your best dishes of last year!! There are some I still have not tried. I must do that in 2018! I’m sure they are all tres bonne!! Or tres bon😜 😉 Happy New Year friend!😘
Allie says
You are so kind Tracy!!! Although I did take French in both high school and college, I was never very proficient. So I find Google translate is a huge help! LOL. My little trick. I think you want très bon, mon amie! (According to Google Translate.) And thank you for the compliments on the recipes. Looking forward to 2018 and hoping it will be full of peace, joy, hope and health for both of us! xo
puja says
Lovely collection of recipes Allie. Wish you a very Happy New Year. 🙂
Liz says
I love these favorites! I’ve been eyeing that chocolate cake since I first saw it—think its a MUST make for 2018!! Happy New Year!!
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