The King Arthur Test Kitchen is constantly blowing up stellar new recipesall have been rigorously tested and endlessly evaluated to ensure they are the best they can be. But every year, some rise above the rest. Here are the ten most popular new recipes this year, the bakes you just can't get enough of. If you haven't yet, now is the time!
Photography by Rick Holbrook; Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne
10) Pretzel Cookies
What happens when a salty and salty pretzel meets a buttery and salty cookie? You get this inspired mix, ready to turn into next-level breakfast sandwiches. To make it, brush the cookie dough with a baking soda bath and sprinkle with crunchy pretzel salt, which provides that classic brassy top and salty bite.
Get the recipe: Pretzel cookies
Buy the recipe: Professional pastry brush AND Parlor knife
If you like this recipe, you may also like: Pretzel Focaccia, Pretzel bun
Photography by Patrick Marinello; Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne
9) Apple Cider Snickerdoodles
With mulled apple cider and some apple pie spice in the batter, these cookies evoke your favorite harvest donut — without the hassle of frying. They're soft and chewy, with a coating of sugar and spice just like the classic cookie they're named after.
Get the recipe: Apple Cider Snickerdoodles
Buy the recipe: Apple Pie Spice AND Vermont Mulled Cider
If you like this recipe, you may also like: Buttery Snickerdoodles, Apple Cinnamon Bars
Photography by Rick Holbrook; food styling by Kaitlin Wayne
8) Mortadella Pizza Sandwich
This recipe got a lot of love and rave reviews when it first debuted, and if you haven't tried this amazing sandwich yet, you should fix it ASAP. Not only is the trio of salty mortadella, creamy burrata and crunchy pistachios impossible to resist, but it's all folded inside a puffy bread made from Neapolitan pizza dough. Martin shows you how to do it – and why it's so good –on YouTube.
Get the recipe: Mortadella Pizza Sandwich
Buy the recipe: '00' Pizza Flour
If you like this recipe, you may also like: White pizza, Neapolitan style pizza crust
Photography by Rick Holbrook; food styling by Kaitlin Wayne
7) Double Chocolate Focaccia
Fun focaccia rolls were EVERYWHERE this year, and this recipe is a very appealing riff on an Italian classic. An open-faced, cocoa-filled crumb with ripples of chopped semi-sweet chocolate can be served for breakfast OR dessert – or both. The creator of the vision recipe, Melanie Wanders, walks you through how to do it: Chocolate Focaccia: The perfect fresh, chewy, anytime snack.
Get the recipe:Double Chocolate Focaccia
Buy the recipe: Black cocoa AND Guittard Semi-Sweet Chocolate Wafers
If you like this recipe, you may also like: Pretzel Focaccia, Christmas Ham Focaccia
Photography by Rick Holbrook; Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne
6) Quick and easy vanilla cake
Most yellow cake recipes call for a stand mixer, but not this one – it's made entirely by hand and in a bowl. This easier method also doesn't mean you're sacrificing flavor or texture: This plush cake delivers the same classic, nostalgic, yellow cake taste that's likely to evoke childhood memories. A win-win!
Get the recipe: Quick and easy vanilla cake
Buy the recipe: Pure almond extract AND Supernatural Rainbow Softies Sprinkles
If you like this recipe, you may also like: Classic birthday cake, Cute little chocolate cake
Photography by Rick Holbrook; food styling by Kaitlin Wayne
5) Lighter Sour Toss Crackers
This recipe lives up to its name: These crackers really are the easiest. To make it, simply mix sourdough starter, melted butter (or olive oil), salt and spices. Pour onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, bake, and you've got a tray of crunchy, delicious creatures perfect for dipping, cheeses, or just eating right off the baking sheet. If you find yourself frequently drowning in flames, you need this recipe!
Get the recipe: Lighter Sour Toss Crackers
Buy the recipe: Small Offset Spatula AND Pizza wheel
If you like this recipe, you may also like: Sourdough crackers, Vermont Cheese Crackers
Photography by Rick Holbrook; food styling by Kaitlin Wayne
4) Tiramisu for two
There was a lot of love for ours small group baking this year, and your favorite example was this little tiramisu, the perfect dessert for just two people. Assembled in Mason jars, this recipe features espresso-soaked cupcakes layered with a sweetened and creamy mascarpone filling, with cocoa powder to finish.
Get the recipe: Tiramisu for two
Buy the recipe: Espresso powder
If you like this recipe, you may also like: Tiramisu, Tiramisu Cupcakes
Photography by Rick Holbrook; Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne
3) Chocolate Croissant in Giant Pan
You love it when a recipe is small, but you also love it when a beloved bake gets big! This recipe takes all the best elements of a chocolate croissant—smooth filling and smooth layers—and supersizes it. It also skips the labor-intensive lamination and shaping: Instead, we call forEasy and quick pastato achieve those characteristic crispy layers without fuss.
Get the recipe: Giant Flaky Chocolate Croissant
Buy the recipe: Triple Cocoa Blend
If you like this recipe, you may also like: Big, buttery croissants , Giant Brown Sugar Cinnamon Cake
Photography by Rick Holbrook, food styling by Kaitlin Wayne
2) Pumpkin Spice Latte Bars
Not to spoil our #1 bake of the year (more on that in a moment!), but you really enjoyed making bars this year. This super-seasonal recipe captures the essence of everyone's favorite fall drink: The bars are sweet and spicy, with an espresso flavor and a subtle but subtle pumpkin flavor. Think of them as pumpkin blondes: soft, thick and rich.
Get the recipe: Pumpkin Spice Latte Bars
Buy the recipe: Pumpkin Pie Spice AND Espresso powder
If you like this recipe, you may also like: Ombre Chocolate Candy Bars ,Vanilla Chai Bar
Photography by Rick Holbrook; food styling by Kaitlin Wayne
1) Berry Easy Jam Bars
This fun recipe was the most popular published this year and it's clear why it was such a hit. These bars are easy to whip up while still showcasing ripe fruit at its best in a delicious, streusel-y package. You don't need a mixer, you don't need to pre-bake the crust, and you don't need to pre-cook the fruit. Just mix together a buttery, brown sugar, oat-wrapped, berry sandwich dough and bake—the hard part is waiting for the jam bars to cool before digging in.
Get the recipe: Berry Easy Jam Bars
Buy the recipe: King Arthur Rolled Oats
If you like this recipe, you may also like: Blueberry Rye Bars, Rolled Rhubarb Bars
How does this list stack up to previous years? Look our best recipes of 2023 AND 2022. And don't forget to bake our 2024 recipe, Super soft super soft chocolate chip cookiesbefore our next Recipe of the Year drops in early 2025!
Cover photo by Rick Holbrook; food styling by Kaitlin Wayne.
