The Food Charlatan’s Top 5 Most Popular Recipes of 2017: A Culinary Journey Through Your Favorites
As we reflect on a truly incredible year of cooking, baking, and sharing delicious food, we’re thrilled to unveil the top 5 most popular recipes on The Food Charlatan from 2017! It’s clear that you, our amazing readers, have a special place in your hearts for cookies, as three of the five winning recipes fall into that irresistible category. You certainly know what you like, and we love you for it!
A Look Back at a Remarkable Year: 2017 and Beyond
Happy 2018, everyone! We hope your new year has started with joy and deliciousness. Here at The Food Charlatan, we kicked off the year with a truly unforgettable experience. Imagine this: celebrating New Year’s Eve in northern Montana, where the temperatures were so frigid they barely climbed above zero degrees Fahrenheit for days. One night, with the wind chill, it plunged to an astonishing -49 degrees! Such extreme cold meant cozying up indoors, but it also presented a unique opportunity.
I ventured out onto the porch with my sister-in-law, Jessie, who had heard a fascinating rumor: if the temperature drops to -21 degrees or below, throwing boiling water into the air will instantly transform it into a cloud of snow. Skeptical but intrigued, I watched as she demonstrated, and to my absolute amazement, it worked! It was truly a spectacular sight, a magical science experiment playing out before our eyes. I even captured it in a slow-motion video for my Instagram stories (be sure to check the highlights on mobile!).
Beyond freezing water experiments, 2017 was a phenomenally exciting year for The Food Charlatan. We achieved many significant goals, thanks to your incredible support. I nearly hit my goal of reaching 100,000 Facebook fans by January 1st, falling just shy by about 500 followers. Starting the year with 50,000 fans, almost doubling that number is a monumental success in my book! A special shout-out to my cousin Aaron, who I suspect is eagerly waiting to be the 100,000th like – he’s done it for 10k and 20k, and I owe so much of my growth to loyal supporters like him. Thank you, Aaron, and thank you to all of you!
Now, are you ready for the moment we’ve all been waiting for? It’s always a highlight to see which of the hundreds of recipes I shared throughout the year resonated most with you. Without further ado, let’s dive into the countdown of your most-loved recipes of 2017!
Unveiling Our Top 5 Most-Loved Recipes of 2017
5. Peach Cake with Brown Sugar Frosting
I couldn’t be happier that this unique Peach Cake secured a spot in the top 5! This cake is incredibly easy to make, a true testament to simple ingredients yielding extraordinary flavor. I adapted it from another immensely popular creation, my Blackberry Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. What makes this peach cake truly special is the unexpected use of Jell-O, which infuses it with a vibrant, authentic peach flavor. It might sound unusual, but trust me, the result is nothing short of amazing! The edges bake up perfectly chewy, while the cake itself remains moist and tender. And let’s not forget the decadent brown sugar frosting – it’s so good, you won’t want to choose between the cake and the frosting; you’ll want both!
4. Skinny Texas Cowboy Cookies
Coming in at number four, these Skinny Texas Cowboy Cookies offer all the flavor and satisfying crunch of a classic Texas Cowboy Cookie with significantly less fat. This recipe ingeniously combines elements from two of my most beloved cookie creations: the hearty Texas Cowboy Cookies and the wholesome Skinny Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies. The original Texas Cowboy Cookies call for a cup of butter, but this lighter version impressively cuts it down to just two tablespoons, without sacrificing taste or texture. These cookies are a fantastic choice, especially if you’re looking for a delicious treat that fits into your January healthy eating goals. They prove that you don’t have to compromise on flavor to enjoy a healthier indulgence!
3. Classic Stromboli (Easy Dinner or Quick Appetizer!)
Who doesn’t love a good Stromboli? This classic Italian-American favorite truly captured your hearts and taste buds in 2017, earning its spot at number three. What’s not to adore about savory pizza ingredients rolled up into a perfect, golden-baked log? Absolutely nothing, I say! This recipe delivers layers upon layers of zesty pepperoni and gooey, melted cheese, all encased in a tender crust. It’s an incredibly versatile dish, perfect as an easy and satisfying family dinner, or sliced into smaller portions for a quick, crowd-plepleasing appetizer. The beauty of this Stromboli is its simplicity and comforting familiarity, making it a perennial favorite for any occasion.
2. Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
Prepare to be addicted! These Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies are undeniably irresistible, claiming the second spot on our list. They are bursting with an intense peanut butter flavor that will delight any nut butter enthusiast. The addition of oats provides the perfect level of chewiness, creating a wonderfully satisfying texture with every bite. What’s even better? They are incredibly easy to make, meaning you’re only a few steps away from a fresh batch of these delectable treats. Fair warning: it’s nearly impossible to eat just one! If you haven’t tried them yet, this is your sign – bake a batch today and experience pure cookie bliss.
1. The Softest Sugar Cookies of Your Life
And now, for the reigning champion, the number one recipe on The Food Charlatan this year: The Softest Sugar Cookies of Your Life! This recipe became a Christmas sensation, with hundreds of you baking and sharing your beautiful creations. It was an absolute joy to see all your photos and read your glowing reviews and photos here. The secret to their incredible texture lies in the cream cheese incorporated directly into the dough (not the frosting!). These truly are the best sugar cookies I have ever made or tasted. By following the detailed tips and tricks provided in the recipe and being careful not to overbake, you will achieve cookies that are unbelievably soft, bursting with flavor, and perfectly paired with my most amazing buttercream frosting. If you want a sugar cookie that holds its shape beautifully while remaining melt-in-your-mouth soft, this is the recipe you need to try!
Beyond the Top 5: Our Fan-Favorite Runner-Up Recipes of 2017
While the top five captured the most attention, many other recipes also won your hearts in 2017. Here are the next five most popular dishes, proving that deliciousness comes in many forms:
10. One Hour French Bread
This lightning-fast French bread recipe has revolutionized homemade bread-making. Forget double rises; this recipe delivers warm, crusty bread in just an hour, making it a go-to for quick weeknight dinners.
9. Asian Seared Chicken with Stir Fried Green Beans
A perfect meal for a healthy start to the year or any time you crave a flavorful, light, and satisfying dish. This recipe is packed with vibrant Asian-inspired flavors and comes together quickly.
8. How to Bake Bacon in the Oven in 12 Minutes
Say goodbye to greasy stovetop frying! This method for baking bacon in the oven is a game-changer, resulting in perfectly crispy bacon with minimal mess. Once you try it, you’ll never go back.
7. The BEST Buttercream Frosting for Sugar Cookies
It’s no surprise this frosting made the list, as it’s the ideal companion for our number one Softest Sugar Cookies. This smooth, creamy, and utterly delicious buttercream takes any cookie or cake to the next level.
6. Nana’s Famous Fudge Brownies
This rich and indulgent recipe, passed down from my husband’s grandmother, creates ridiculously good fudge brownies that are intensely chocolatey and incredibly decadent. A true comfort food classic.
Reflecting on a Delicious Year and Looking Ahead to 2018
And there you have it – a magnificent journey through your favorite recipes from 2017! It’s been an incredible year filled with culinary explorations, shared moments, and the joy of creating delicious food for you. Your enthusiasm and engagement are what make The Food Charlatan such a vibrant community. Thank you for baking with us, cooking with us, and making 2017 truly memorable.
Here’s to 2018 and countless more delicious adventures! We can’t wait to share new recipes, tips, and stories with you. Be sure to stay tuned for what’s cooking next.
Explore More Culinary Delights from The Food Charlatan
If you loved this countdown, you’ll be thrilled to dive into even more culinary history from The Food Charlatan:
- Don’t miss the updated Top 10 Recipes of All Time for The Food Charlatan – a collection of timeless favorites!
Revisit the classics with the Top 5 Recipes of 2016 from The Food Charlatan:
Discover the Top 5 Recipes from 2015:
And don’t forget the Top 5 Recipes from 2014:
A Look Back: Even More Beloved Recipes from The Food Charlatan Archives
Journey further back in time to explore even earlier fan favorites (and forgive some of the older photos, they’re from “the good old days” of food blogging!):
- Top 20 Recipes of 2013
- My Favorite Recipes from 2013
- Top 20 Recipes of 2012
Discover What Other Food Bloggers Are Loving
Curious about what’s trending elsewhere in the food blogging world? Check out these top recipe lists from some of my talented friends:
- Most Popular Recipes of 2017 from BellyFull
- Top 17 Most Popular Recipes from Cupcakes and Kale Chips