Indulge in Sweet Memories: The Top 12 Reader-Favorite Desserts of 2014 Revealed
Welcome, fellow dessert enthusiasts! It’s always a special moment when we look back at the culinary journey we’ve shared, and today, we’re diving into the sweetest highlights of 2014. Recently, I compiled a collection of my top savory dishes, aptly titled 12 Food Favorites of 2014. That compilation was uniquely crafted based on your engagement – featuring one recipe from each month that garnered the most clicks and attention from all of you, my wonderful readers. It was truly a testament to your discerning tastes!
However, attempting to squeeze desserts into that general food category felt almost sacrilegious. Let’s be honest: desserts occupy a very special, distinct place in our hearts and on our palates. They are more than just food; they are celebrations, comforts, and often, the grand finale to a perfect meal. They stand in a class all their own, deserving of their very own spotlight.
So, with great pleasure and a touch of anticipation, I proudly present to you today your 12 favorite desserts of 2014! This is a collection hand-picked by your clicks, showcasing the treats that captivated your imagination and inspired you in the kitchen throughout the year. Prepare yourselves, because what lies ahead is a parade of truly drool-worthy creations!
To embark on this delectable journey and unlock the secrets to each beloved recipe, simply click on the corresponding photo. Get ready to revisit some old favorites and perhaps discover a new sweet obsession!
January: French Silk Pie – A Timeless Classic
Kicking off the year with an undeniable classic, January’s most clicked dessert was my tried-and-true recipe for FRENCH SILK PIE. After countless attempts and experimenting with various recipes over the years, I finally perfected a version that combines all my favorite elements, resulting in what our family unanimously considers the absolute best pie. Its rich, velvety chocolate filling, nestled in a flaky crust and topped with a cloud of whipped cream, makes it an irresistible indulgence. This pie isn’t just a dessert; it’s a nostalgic experience, bringing warmth and joy to any gathering. It’s truly a labor of love that pays off with every decadent bite.
February: Coconut Cream Poke Cake with Coconut Whipped Cream Frosting – A Tropical Dream
February brought a special occasion – my dear friend Lori’s 50th birthday dinner, which I had the pleasure of hosting. The dessert I crafted for her milestone celebration stole the show: a luscious COCONUT CREAM POKE CAKE WITH COCONUT WHIPPED CREAM FROSTING. This cake was, quite simply, to-die-for. The moist, tender cake soaked in a sweet coconut cream, topped with a light and airy coconut whipped cream frosting, created a symphony of tropical flavors. The frosting, in particular, was a dangerous delight – so incredibly delicious that it could easily be eaten by the spoonful! It’s a dessert that transports you to a sunny beach with every bite, making it a perfect pick-me-up during the colder months.
March: Strawberry Sour Cream Crumb Pie Bars – A Taste of Spring
As March rolled in, my thoughts naturally drifted towards the vibrant colors and fresh flavors of spring, especially strawberries. These delightful STRAWBERRY SOUR CREAM CRUMB PIE BARS perfectly captured that essence. They were an instant hit, quickly becoming a staple in our kitchen. We’ve since made them countless times, experimenting with various fruit flavors to suit the season. The combination of sweet, juicy strawberries, a tangy sour cream filling, and a buttery, crumbly topping creates a textural and flavor experience that is simply irresistible. They are wonderfully adaptable, perfect for picnics, potlucks, or simply as a comforting treat with a cup of coffee. Their popularity proves they’re more than just bars; they’re versatile crowd-pleasers.
April: Lemon Raspberry Bundt Cake – A Zesty Victory
April presented a delightful dilemma, as two fantastic fruity cakes vied for your attention. While many of you adored my Strawberry Lemonade Cake, it was the bright and beautiful LEMON RASPBERRY BUNDT CAKE that ultimately claimed the top spot, winning by just a smidgen! This elegant bundt cake combines the vibrant zest of lemon with the sweet-tart burst of fresh raspberries, baked into a wonderfully moist and tender crumb. The striking visual appeal of a bundt cake, coupled with its refreshing flavor profile, made it a springtime sensation. It’s perfect for brunch, afternoon tea, or as a sophisticated dessert that’s surprisingly simple to make. This cake proves that sometimes, the simplest flavors, perfectly executed, can be the most memorable.
May: Banana Cream Jelly Roll – A Beloved Childhood Memory
May brought Mother’s Day, a time for family and reflection. This month’s favorite recipe was deeply personal, inspired by my own mother and paternal grandmother. The BANANA CREAM JELLY ROLL was a dessert from my childhood, a nostalgic treat that I lovingly recreated. When I made it for my family, they absolutely adored it, and your clicks showed that you did too! This delicate sponge cake, rolled with a luscious banana cream filling, is a testament to timeless desserts. It’s light, creamy, and wonderfully comforting, evoking memories of simpler times and cherished family recipes. It’s more than just a dessert; it’s a slice of history, a connection to generations past, and a truly heartwarming creation that resonates with many.
June: Copy Cat Baskin Robbins Daiquiri Ice – A Cool Birthday Treat
June, my birth month, called for something extra special and a dive into recreating one of my all-time favorite frozen treats from childhood. The result was this fantastic COPY CAT BASKIN ROBBINS DAIQUIRI ICE. This refreshing dessert perfectly captures the zingy, vibrant flavor of the original, offering a cool and exhilarating escape from the summer heat. It’s a sorbet-like confection that’s both sweet and tangy, with a wonderfully smooth texture that melts delightfully on the tongue. Making it at home allows for customization and ensures you always have a batch ready for those scorching summer days or when you simply need a burst of refreshing flavor. It’s a playful and nostalgic treat that brings a smile to everyone’s face, proving that sometimes, the simplest pleasures are the best.
July: Chewy Glazed Lemon Cookies – Sunshine in Every Bite
July brought a wonderful gift: a bounty of fresh lemons from my sister’s backyard in San Diego. Naturally, I couldn’t resist baking up a batch of these exquisite CHEWY GLAZED LEMON COOKIES. True to their name, these cookies offer the perfect balance of a delightfully chewy texture and an intense lemon flavor, both in the cookie itself and in the luscious glaze that tops them. Every bite is like a burst of sunshine, bright and invigorating. They are the ideal summer cookie, light yet satisfying, and utterly addictive. Thinking about them now makes me truly miss those warm summer days, doesn’t it make you miss them too? Their incredible flavor and texture made them a clear winner for this sunny month.
August: Chocolate Chip Cheesecake – A Decadent Delight
Va-Va-Voom! August was all about pure indulgence with this spectacular CHOCOLATE CHIP CHEESECAKE. You all absolutely went crazy for this one, and it’s easy to see why! This cheesecake is a masterpiece of creamy perfection, studded generously with rich chocolate chips throughout. What truly elevates it to a special status is the subtly sweet and tangy sour cream topping, which adds an extra layer of complexity and a beautiful finish. It’s the kind of dessert that commands attention at any dinner party or special occasion, offering a rich yet perfectly balanced sweetness. The combination of classic cheesecake with the irresistible allure of chocolate chips made this a resounding favorite for the end of summer.
September: Commander’s Palace Bread Pudding Soufflé with Whiskey Sauce – Southern Elegance
September ushered in a truly elegant and sophisticated dessert, made for a very special birthday guy. The COMMANDER’S PALACE BREAD PUDDING SOUFFLÉ WITH WHISKEY SAUCE captured your hearts and clicks, bringing a taste of New Orleans’ legendary cuisine right to your home. This isn’t just any bread pudding; it’s a light, airy soufflé that defies expectations, transforming a rustic comfort food into a refined culinary experience. The rich, warm whiskey sauce poured over the delicate soufflé adds a luxurious depth of flavor that is simply unforgettable. It’s a perfect dessert for celebrating special moments or for when you want to impress with a truly unique and delicious creation, marrying comfort with gourmet flair.
October: Apple Monkey Bread – The Essence of Autumn
As cool temperatures began to set in, our thoughts turned to comforting, warm flavors. October’s top dessert perfectly embodied this sentiment: APPLE MONKEY BREAD. This pull-apart sweet bread is a celebration of autumn, infused with the quintessential flavors of crisp apples and warm cinnamon. It’s incredibly simple to prepare, yet yields an impressive, delicious result. Imagine waking up to this fragrant delight; it truly felt like dessert for breakfast, offering a cozy and heartwarming start to any fall day. Its comforting aroma and delightful texture make it an ideal treat for family gatherings, holiday mornings, or simply a sweet indulgence on a chilly evening. It’s comfort food at its finest, a true taste of fall.
November: Brownie Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cake – An Epic Celebration
November brought a momentous occasion: my son’s 20th birthday! Such a significant milestone called for an epic dessert, and this BROWNIE CHOCOLATE CHIP ICE CREAM CAKE certainly delivered the “wow factor.” This towering confection layers rich, fudgy brownies with creamy chocolate chip ice cream, creating a dessert that is both deeply satisfying and incredibly fun. It’s a showstopper that combines everyone’s favorite elements into one magnificent creation. The contrast between the chewy brownie base and the cold, smooth ice cream, speckled with chocolate chips, makes it an unforgettable experience. It’s the ultimate birthday cake, guaranteed to impress and delight guests of all ages, embodying pure celebratory joy.
December: Chocolate Pudding Cookies – Festive and Easy
To round out the year, especially with the festive spirit of Christmas in full swing, we absolutely had to feature a beloved cookie! December’s top pick, the CHOCOLATE PUDDING COOKIES, earned its spot due to its incredible ease and versatility. These cookies are wonderfully soft, chewy, and bursting with rich chocolate flavor, making them a fantastic addition to any holiday cookie tray. Their simplicity makes baking a breeze, even amidst the holiday rush, allowing you to fill those cookie trays with minimal effort. The best part? You can easily customize them by switching up the M&M’s colors or even experimenting with different pudding flavors to create your own unique and special cookie creations. They’re a true testament to simple ingredients creating extraordinary results, perfect for sharing joy during the festive season.
As we bid farewell to this sweet retrospective of 2014, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your continued support and enthusiasm. It truly makes “An Affair from the Heart” such a vibrant and rewarding community. I cannot wait to see what incredible new recipes, culinary adventures, and shared moments you and I will explore together in 2015!
The digital landscape is constantly evolving, and if you rely solely on social media platforms to catch my latest recipes, you might occasionally miss out on something truly delicious. While I absolutely cherish having you follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Bloglovin’, Google +, and Instagram, there’s an even better way to ensure you never miss a single post. If you truly want to see everything that gets published, the absolute BEST method is to sign up to receive my recipes directly in your email inbox. I promise, I will only send you recipes – no spam, no unnecessary emails, just pure, delicious inspiration delivered straight to you!
It’s incredibly easy to join our growing community and get those recipes delivered effortlessly. Simply navigate to the top right-hand corner of this page, where you’ll find a clearly marked “Subscribe Via Email” box. All you need to do is enter your email address. After that, a quick confirmation email will land in your inbox, and once you click to confirm, you’ll be officially in! It’s a simple step to ensure you’re always connected to the latest sweet and savory creations.
I often say, I truly couldn’t do this without each and every one of you. Your engagement, your comments, and your enthusiasm for these recipes are what fuel my passion. I am immensely grateful for your presence here, sharing this culinary journey with me.
Wishing you all a very HAPPY HAPPY New Year, my dear friends! May 2015 be filled with even more delicious moments and wonderful memories. I look forward to connecting with you all again very soon!