I’m a sentimental fool, so I love reflecting on the year as it ends. Despite this year being a mess in so many ways – this blog was a bit of a bright spot for me.

I’m proud of everything I’ve put on the blog this year – but the kid content will definitely hold a special place in my heart. We hosted 18 live kitchen play dates on Facebook, shared some of our favorite kid-friendly recipes on the blog, and posted a whole year’s worth of fruit and veggie bingo cards! In the chaos and uncertainty of the year, making these memories with my kids was worth it’s weight in gold.

You guys had your favorites too! And I was excited to see how many of my favorites were also popular with you.

Sides were king

Bacon Parmesan Green Beans were, hands-down, the most popular post on the blog this year. It surprised me, but I get it – they’re easy and delicious, the perfect go-to side!

Other sides also topped the popularity list – Brown Sugar Butternut Squash and Honey Garlic Green Beans both cracked the top 10 too.

You wanted family meals

As the mom of a four-year-old and a six-year-old, I consider family meals my wheelhouse. I love sharing our favorite meals with you and love when you love them too!

Pretzel Crusted Chicken in the Air Fryer was a huge hit with you guys this year. Other favorites included Mexican Lasagna, Bacon Pierogi Bake, and Slow Cooker Pepperoni Pizza Soup. My kids would agree with you on all accounts.

You can expect more family dinners – and updated pictures of old favorites – in 2021.

Kids In the Kitchen was a hit

With the help of my kiddo sous-chefs, we put up some really fun kid-friendly content this year. Edible Cookie Dough won the popularity contest with Unicorn Grilled Cheese a close second.

Small batches were in demand

I haven’t blogged many small-batch recipes since the kids were born – it seemed like we always have someone to share with – but the pandemic made me re-focus on them and boy, were they popular.

I shared Small Batch Muddy Buddies and a Small Batch Chocolate Cake and they became some of my most popular dessert posts. The most popular paired-down recipe on the blog, though? These Small Batch Beignets.

I also shared a roundup of 18 Small Batch Treats Perfect for Celebrations While Social Distancing. We may be doing parties over zoom, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have cupcakes!

And, like everyone else, you were bitten by the banana bread bug

Remember in the spring when suddenly everyone needed to make banana bread? This recipe shot to the top of popular blog posts almost as soon as lockdown started here and has been near the top since.

I can only hope that Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls made your time at home a little better.