Modern Honey’s Most Beloved: A Look Back at the Top 10 Posts of 2016

As the curtain drew on 2016, we at Modern Honey took a moment to reflect on a remarkable year filled with culinary adventures, inspiring travel, and countless shared moments in kitchens and beyond. This curated list celebrates the TOP 10 MOST POPULAR POSTS from 2016, chosen by you, our incredible community. These are the recipes you eagerly baked, the travel guides you consulted, and the stories that resonated most deeply, turning them into the year’s most clicked, shared, and pinned content. Your unwavering support, enthusiasm, and engagement mean the world to us. Hearing your feedback, seeing your beautiful creations, and knowing our guides assist your explorations brings immense joy and validates every hour poured into crafting these posts. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for all the love and support that made 2016 an unforgettable year for Modern Honey!

TOP 10 MOST POPULAR POSTS FROM 2016:

10. Lemon Sugar Cookies. These soft, bakery-style lemon sugar cookies quickly ascended to become one of the most beloved cookie recipes on Modern Honey. Imagine a perfect union between the tender chewiness of a classic sugar cookie and the vibrant, zesty punch of fresh lemon. This recipe delivers exactly that – a cookie bursting with authentic lemon flavor without being overly tart, making it an irresistible treat for any lemon lover. Their delicate crumb and bright taste make them a delightful addition to any dessert spread, perfectly embodying the fresh flavors of spring and summer, yet enjoyed year-round for a touch of sunshine.

9. Best Places to Eat and See in New York City. Crafting this comprehensive guide to the Big Apple was an immense undertaking, demanding extensive research, meticulous planning, and countless hours of compilation. Drawing from years of personal trips to New York City and invaluable insights gleaned from my brother, who called NYC home for over a decade, this post is a culmination of local secrets and seasoned traveler tips. It’s designed to be the ultimate resource for anyone planning a visit, offering an insider’s perspective on the city’s finest culinary experiences and must-see landmarks. Since its publication in November, this guide has consistently ranked among our top posts daily, a testament to its unparalleled usefulness and enduring popularity among our adventurous readers.

8. Youthful Glow Green Smoothie. This isn’t just a smoothie; it’s a vibrant elixir packed with an impressive array of nutritional benefits that leave you feeling invigorated and refreshed. Far superior to traditional juices, this smoothie incorporates whole fruits and vegetables like spinach, apple, lemon, kale, cucumber, and banana, ensuring you receive all the fiber, vitamins, and minerals your body craves. It serves as my go-to cleanse after indulging in decadent foods, helping to reset my system and restore balance. After just a few days of incorporating this smoothie into my routine, I notice a remarkable clarity in my skin, enhanced mental sharpness, and an overall sense of improved well-being. It’s truly a powerhouse for a healthy lifestyle.

7. California Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Guide. As an ardent travel enthusiast who revels in planning adventures months in advance, embarking on a California Pacific Coast Highway road trip had been a lifelong dream. This iconic journey not only lived up to every expectation but profoundly exceeded them! We were captivated by the breathtaking natural beauty of the Pacific coastline, from dramatic cliffs to pristine beaches. We utterly fell in love with the charm of the quaint seaside towns we encountered, and the serene, majestic beauty of Big Sur left us in awe. This comprehensive guide provides meticulously detailed information on the absolute best places to stop, explore, and dine along this legendary route, ensuring an unforgettable and perfectly planned road trip for fellow adventurers.

6. Levain Bakery Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies. Following the monumental success of our Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Copycat Cookies, I knew it was imperative to crack the code for their equally famous dark chocolate peanut butter chip variation. This recipe, posted in July, immediately took off, capturing the hearts (and taste buds) of cookie aficionados everywhere. These indulgent cookies combine the rich depth of dark chocolate with creamy, savory peanut butter chips, creating a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that is truly irresistible. Their viral popularity is undeniable, with the recipe being pinned over 10,000 times, solidifying its status as a Modern Honey favorite and a testament to the irresistible allure of the chocolate and peanut butter pairing.

5. Lady’s Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie. This isn’t just any chocolate chip cookie; it’s a “pizookie” experience – a warm, sumptuously ooey-gooey chocolate chip cookie baked to perfection in a cast iron skillet, then generously topped with a scoop of cold vanilla bean ice cream. The magic begins with browning the butter, which infuses the cookie base with an incredible nutty depth, then blended with both white and brown sugars until it reaches a smooth, caramel-like consistency. The aroma alone, reminiscent of homemade toffee, is enough to make your mouth water. This skillet cookie is, without a doubt, one of the best desserts of all time and its immense popularity on Modern Honey is well-deserved. There’s simply nothing quite like a piping hot, freshly baked cookie to satisfy your sweet cravings.

4. Love at First Sight Chocolate Cake. My quest for the quintessential chocolate cake was a passionate odyssey, involving countless hours and far too many consumed slices in pursuit of perfection. This, my friends, is finally it – the ultimate chocolate cake recipe that will capture your heart from the very first bite. But wait until you experience the accompanying chocolate frosting. It’s an absolute masterpiece – a sublime balance of rich butter, intense cocoa, finely sifted powdered sugar, and luscious cream, creating a texture that is pure, unadulterated decadence. This cake is not just a dessert; it’s an experience. Its widespread appeal is evident, having been pinned over 19,000 times by those who share a profound love for exceptional chocolate treats.

3. I Want to Marry You Cookies. Oh, how deeply I adore these “I Want to Marry You Cookies.” These aren’t just any cookies; they are the very cookies that earned me the prestigious title in the Cooking Channel’s Perfect 3 Cookie Contest, leading to an incredible opportunity to film a segment in the iconic Food Network Studios. That surreal experience remains etched in my memory forever. These delectable treats went on to become the most popular recipe on Cooking Channel in 2012, and their legacy continues to thrive. Consistently, they rank among the top three most-viewed recipes on my site every single day, a testament to their irresistible flavor profile and the heartfelt stories they inspire. Their unique blend of ingredients creates a symphony of taste that truly lives up to their enchanting name.

2. Better than a Boyfriend Brownies. To all the teenagers (and anyone, really!) who have weathered the storm of a broken heart, take heed: these brownies offer a comfort and joy far surpassing any fleeting romance. I originally shared these alongside a humorous, yet relatable, anecdote from my own teenage years – a cautionary tale about impulsive relationship mistakes, specifically involving toilet paper. Consider it a public service announcement (you’re welcome, teenagers!). But beyond the playful story, these brownies are a serious indulgence for dedicated chocoholics. They boast an unparalleled richness, a fudgy interior, and a perfectly crinkled top that truly makes them “better than a boyfriend.” Prepare for a deeply satisfying chocolate experience that will mend any woes and leave you craving more.

1. Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Crush Cookies. It comes as no surprise that this recipe claims the top spot for 2016. Even my own family was astonished by the accuracy when I finally perfected and shared this recipe. This particular creation was a labor of love, a culinary puzzle I dedicated an extensive amount of time to mastering. My journey began with a research trip to New York City, where I meticulously observed and investigated the secrets behind Levain Bakery’s legendary cookies. Upon returning home, I tirelessly experimented, testing countless online versions only to be met with disappointment. I resolved to start from scratch, painstakingly tweaking ingredient ratios, and meticulously adjusting oven temperatures through numerous iterations until I achieved what I believed to be the flawless replication of the Levain Bakery chocolate chip cookie. The sheer joy and relief in my kitchen upon tasting the final result were palpable, almost bringing tears to my eyes. These quickly became my husband’s all-time favorite cookie, a testament to their unparalleled perfection. After a full year on Modern Honey, they proudly retain their coveted 5-star rating and remain, by far, the most popular recipe on my blog, continuing to delight cookie enthusiasts worldwide.

Honorable Mentions:

While only ten posts could make our coveted list, several other fantastic recipes captivated your attention and deserve a special nod. These honorable mentions showcase the diverse flavors and beloved dishes that resonated with our community throughout the year.

Hunka Hunka Triple Chocolate Cookies: For those who believe more chocolate is always the answer.

All Dressed Up Bowtie Chicken Pasta: A delicious and elegant pasta dish perfect for any occasion.

Chicken Sweet Potato Curry: A warming and flavorful meal that brings comfort to your table.

Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies: Another contender for the perfect classic, always a crowd-pleaser.

Phony Pho: A quick and flavorful take on the traditional Vietnamese soup, perfect for busy weeknights.

As 2016 draws to a close, this recap of our TOP 10 POSTS from the year clearly indicates one thing: you all have an undeniable love for cookies! And frankly, with such exquisite taste, it’s no wonder! This year was truly a journey of immense growth, invaluable learning, and personal courage for me. Thank you once again for your readership, your shares, and for being such an integral part of the Modern Honey community. We eagerly anticipate an even happier and more delicious 2017. xo

Happy Baking!