2025 was a year to remember, especially for honey mustard dressings, party appetizer dips, soups, sausage-based recipes, and molasses spice cookies. So, today, in true end-of-year fashion, we’ll be taking a stroll down memory lane, looking back at the year’s top twelve most mouth-watering and memorable recipes.
If you’ve been hanging out with us for a while, you probably already know that every single month, we pick one recipe that totally steals the show and crown it our absolute favorite. It’s our way of making sure that, when December rolls around, we can look back at the year’s greatest hits and know exactly which recipes we’ll be making again and which ones we’ll be nudging you to try, too. Well, y’all, 2025 was a real winner. We totally beat last year’s record of 60 recipes, cranking out 73 recipes along with 7 additional recipe round-ups. Once again, we have to give a big shout-out to the Alphabet Challenge for keeping us on our toes and inspiring us to share recipes more often.
Out of this year’s top 12 recipes, 4 of them are actually from the above-mentioned 2025 Alphabet Challenge, which featured a consecutive letter of the alphabet, starting with A in January and ending with Z in December. So, when it came time to decide if we should jump back in for another round in 2026, let’s just say it wasn’t exactly a tough call. I mean, come on, with recipes like these Chocolate Espresso Rainbow Brownie Cookies, this Cheesy Cheddar Taco-Seasoned Corn Chip Dip, and this Peach Crumble Pound Cake (Cake Mix Recipe), how could we possibly resist another year of delicious alphabetical adventures?
Let’s talk numbers for 2025, shall we? This year, we whipped up 3 brand new deviled egg recipes, and I have to say, the 1 you’ll find featured in this post has officially stolen our hearts. Soup lovers, you’re in luck, because we also rolled out a whopping 12 new soup recipes, with 2 of our favorites featured below. There was even 1 soup recipe round-up, just in case you need a little recipe inspiration for Butternut Squash Soup. Now, if you’re wondering what foods we just couldn’t get enough of this year, sausage definitely tops the list. We managed to share 7 sausage recipes, and 4 of them are featured in this very post. And let’s not forget about honey mustard, our not-so-secret obsession. We shared 4 honey mustard recipes this year, 2 of which landed a spot on our best-of list, plus 2 more where honey mustard swooped in and worked its magic, transforming the whole dish into something extra special.
Alright, y’all, here comes the big one. This year, we cranked out 11 brand new cookie recipes, plus 2 cookie round-ups for good measure. And let me tell you, Molasses Spice Cookies totally stole the show with 9 different versions, if you can believe it. Now, none of our cookies managed to snag a spot on the best-of list this year, but honestly, that’s just because there were so many other mouthwatering recipes in the mix. Fingers crossed that 2026 brings us just as many, or, dare I say, even more, delicious recipes. And, for those of you who are dying to know which recipe stole the first-place prize this year, I’ll let you in on a little secret. It was hands-down this Weeknight Sweet Italian Sausage Gravy with Beer, with these Sausage Meatballs with Vodka Fennel Sauce coming in second. So, yeah, sausage definitely won the show in 2025.
January
Tangy Dijon Honey Mustard Dressing with Paprika
Made with just a handful of ingredients like honey, Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, and a touch of paprika, this tangy honey mustard dressing is an equally delicious salad dressing or dip for pretzels, chicken tenders, and much more. Forget the store-bought salad dressing or honey mustard sauce; you’ll be amazed at how much better this simple and easy-to-make homemade version is.
February
Weeknight Sausage & Butter Bean Soup
With work, family, and everything else life throws our way, finding time to prepare a satisfying and delicious meal can be tough. This flavorful sausage and butter bean soup uses simple ingredients, such as regular ground sausage and canned butter beans, to create a surprisingly quick and satisfying weeknight meal. And, for an extra indulgent touch, blending half of the soup gives it a creamy, luxurious texture that you’ll absolutely adore. Get ready to add this delicious soup recipe to your weeknight dinner rotation.
March
Sausage Meatballs with Vodka Fennel Sauce
These zesty sweet Italian sausage meatballs, swimming in a creamy white sauce, are sure to become a family favorite. The secret? Thinly sliced fennel adds a delicate anise flavor to the rich sauce, and a healthy splash of vodka adds a little flavor kick that’ll have everyone coming back for more. Plus, these meatballs are super versatile. Serve them over fluffy rice, your go-to pasta, creamy mashed potatoes, or even as meatball sliders for a fun game day or party appetizer.
April
Spicy Colman’s English Honey Mustard Dressing
Get ready to spice up your salads with this amazing honey mustard dressing. This recipe takes traditional honey mustard dressing and infuses it with the bold, unmistakable spicy heat of Colman’s Original English Mustard, creating a versatile condiment that also doubles as a fantastic dip for pretzels, chicken tenders, and so much more. Prepare to fall in love with this creamy four-ingredient salad dressing that perfectly balances sweetness, spice, and a bit of tang.
May
Sweet & Spicy Jalapeño Canned Tomato Salsa
This simple recipe transforms a can of petite diced tomatoes into a vibrant, homemade salsa bursting with flavor. Savory garlic powder, onion powder, and smoky cumin are perfectly balanced by the zesty tang of pickled red onions and the delightful sweet heat of candied jalapeños. A touch of fresh cilantro and oregano adds a lovely pop of color and freshness, beautifully balancing all the flavors. Get ready to ditch your traditional, bland store-bought jar of salsa and embrace this easy-to-make homemade version that will have everyone asking for the recipe.
June
Swiss Chard Pesto with Lemon Zest
Tired of the same old basil pesto? Or perhaps you’re fresh out of basil and looking to shake things up a bit? This recipe offers a delicious and unique twist on traditional pesto, utilizing Swiss chard leaves to create a vibrant and flavorful condiment. Perfect for dipping crusty bread, drizzling over pizza, or tossing with your favorite pasta, this Swiss chard pesto, with its bright hint of lemon zest, adds a burst of freshness that you’ll enjoy adding to all of your favorite dishes.
July
Classic Vanilla Ice Cream (Easy No Egg Recipe)
The idea of homemade ice cream can sometimes feel daunting, conjuring up images of complex egg custards and intricate preparation steps. This classic five-ingredient eggless vanilla ice cream recipe requires only heavy whipping cream, granulated sugar, sea salt, vanilla extract, and whole milk. The result? An incredibly rich, smooth, and deeply flavorful vanilla ice cream that’s miles beyond anything you’ll find in the freezer aisle. Perfect on its own, or serving as the ideal creamy canvas for your favorite mix-ins, such as chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or fresh fruit pieces, this easy-to-make homemade treat is guaranteed to become a family favorite.
August
Chocolate Pudding Zucchini Bread Muffins
Wondering what to do with that seemingly endless supply of fresh summer zucchini? Rather than letting a single one go to waste, turn your surplus zucchini into something truly spectacular. These super-moist, chocolaty zucchini bread muffins are incredibly tender, packed with rich chocolate flavor, and surprisingly simple to whip up. The secret to their incredible moisture and taste lies in a box of chocolate instant pudding and pie filling, combined with fresh grated zucchini, eggs, oil, and a few everyday baking ingredients. Get ready to transform your summer harvest into sweet, decadent, chocolate chip-studded muffins that are so good, no one will even care that they’re made with zucchini.
September
Weeknight Sweet Italian Sausage Gravy with Beer
Let’s face it, some nights, making a complicated dinner just feels like too much. You’re tired, hungry, and honestly, breakfast for dinner sounds much better and more comforting than heating up a frozen pizza. On those nights, this Weeknight Sweet Italian Sausage Gravy with Beer makes things a little easier and a whole lot tastier. This easy skillet recipe brings together sweet Italian sausage, beer, whole milk, and heavy cream to make a gravy that is rich, creamy, and a little sweet, simply seasoned with salt, pepper, and the flavor from the browned sausage. With this easy-to-make, delicious one-pan recipe, sausage gravy isn’t just for breakfast anymore.
October
Roasted Acorn Squash Oktoberfest Soup
Imagine halved acorn squash, tangy sauerkraut, and savory beer brats, all mingling together in a single baking dish with a generous splash of flavorful Oktoberfest beer and a whisper of brown sugar. Everything roasts to perfection, building layers of irresistible flavor. The oven works its magic, caramelizing, tenderizing, and deepening every single flavor. Then, the roasted squash is whisked into a velvety blend with chicken broth and a kick of hot mustard, before being poured right back into the baking dish with its roasted companions. Baked until thick and bubbly, this isn’t just a meal, it’s a hearty, warm, German-inspired hug in a bowl.
November
Butter Cake with Chunky Cinnamon Apples
This Butter Cake with Chunky Cinnamon Apples is effortlessly impressive, makes your kitchen smell like an autumn dream, and is proof that you don’t need to spend hours baking to create something truly fabulous. Imagine a tender, buttery sheet cake, made with a jazzed-up butter recipe cake mix, baked to absolute golden perfection. Served with a glorious layer of chunky, stovetop cinnamon apples, this simple cake is moist, flavorful, and everything you want on a crisp fall day. And since apples are always around, this is the kind of sweet treat you’ll find yourself baking again and again, no matter the season.
December
Yellow Mustard Seed Giardiniera Deviled Eggs
If you thought deviled eggs couldn’t get any more exciting, think again. These creamy, flavor-packed deviled eggs contain plump yellow mustard seeds, soaked in tangy giardiniera brine, which add a tangy, acidic burst of goodness and the most surprising pop of texture. Next, for a zesty punch, the eggs are garnished with thin slices of brightly pickled carrots and delicate pearl onion quarters. The final flourish is a peppery sprinkle of freshly grated black pepper. Y’all, these aren’t your average deviled eggs. They’re a showstopping appetizer that will have everyone practically begging for the recipe.
PIN THESE RECIPES
Don’t let these recipes slip away. How often do you find a recipe intriguing, yet forget where to find it when you finally get the hankering to make it? Instead of digging through old posts or wandering aimlessly around on the internet, why not Pin this recipe to Pinterest where you can find it when you eventually need it? Simply Pin the image above and you’ll have it when that time comes. You can follow us HERE on Pinterest or simply click HERE to find all of our pin-worthy recipes.
