Our BEST Recipes from the Past 25 Years (2024)

Home Recipes Cooking Style Comfort Food

Our BEST Recipes from the Past 25 Years (1)Ellie Martin CliffeUpdated: Dec. 13, 2023

    It's our anniversary—and we couldn't have gotten here without you! Here are our best-loved reader-shared recipes from every year we've been around.

    1/26

    Moist Chocolate Cake

    Premiere Issue, 1993

    The cake reminds me of my grandmother, because it was one of her specialties. I bake it often for family parties, and it always brings back fond memories. The cake is light and airy with a delicious chocolate taste. This recipe is a keeper! —Patricia Kreitz, Richland, Pennsylvania

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    2/26

    Taste of Home

    Pork Chops with Scalloped Potatoes

    August/September 1994

    Mom always managed to put a delicious hearty meal on the table for us and for our farmhands. This all-in-one comforting pork chops recipe reminds me of home. —Bernice Morris, Marshfield, Missouri

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    3/26

    Icebox Butterhorns

    June/July 1995

    These beautiful golden rolls just melt in your mouth! People will be impressed when these appear on your table. —Judy Clark, Elkhart, Indiana

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    4/26

    Cheeseburger Soup

    October/November 1996

    A local restaurant serves a similar soup but wouldn’t share its recipe with me. So I developed my own, modifying a recipe for potato soup. I was really pleased with the way this all-American treat turned out. —Joanie Shawhan, Madison, Wisconsin

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    5/26

    Zucchini Cupcakes

    August/September 1997

    I asked my grandmother for this recipe after trying these irresistible spice cupcakes at her home. I love their creamy caramel frosting. They’re such a scrumptious dessert you actually forget you’re eating your vegetables, too! —Virginia Lapierre, Greensboro Bend, Vermont

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    6/26

    Rhubarb Custard Bars

    April/May 1998

    Once I tried these rich, gooey bars, I just had to have the recipe so I could make them for my family and friends. The shortbread-like crust and rhubarb and custard layers inspire people to find rhubarb they can use to fix a batch for themselves. —Shari Roach, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin

    7/26

    Li'l Cheddar Meat Loaves

    April/May 1999

    I got this recipe from my aunt when I was a teen and have made these miniature loaves many times since. My husband and three children count this main dish among their favorites. —Kathy Bowron, Cocolalla, Idaho

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    8/26

    Taste of Home

    Flavorful Chicken Fajitas

    August/September 2000

    This flavorful recipe is definitely on my weeknight dinner rotation. The chicken fajita marinade in these popular wraps is mouthwatering. They go together in a snap and always get raves! —Julie Sterchi, Jackson, Missouri

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    9/26

    Buttery Cornbread

    April/May 2001

    A friend gave me this recipe several years ago, and I think it’s the best cornbread recipe I’ve tried. I love to serve the melt-in-your mouth homemade cornbread hot from the oven with butter and syrup. It gets rave reviews on holidays and at potluck dinners. —Nicole Callen, Auburn, California

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    10/26

    Taste of Home

    Bacon Macaroni Salad

    June/July 2002

    This pleasing pasta salad is like eating a BLT in a bowl. Filled with crispy bacon, chopped tomato, celery and green onion, the sensational salad is coasted with a tangy mayonnaise and vinegar dressing. It’s a real crowd-pleaser! —Norene Wright, Manilla, Indiana

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    11/26

    Blueberry Banana Bread

    June/July 2003

    Blueberries and bananas combine in these tender, golden loaves. Whether you enjoy a slice as a snack or for breakfast, this bread is so flavorful, you won’t need butter. —Sandy Flick, Toledo, Ohio

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    12/26

    Taste of Home

    Baked Mushroom Chicken

    June/July 2004

    This mushroom chicken recipe is the perfect way to dress up a standard weeknight dinner. It’s a recipe I can count on to yield tender and flavorful mushroom chicken every time. —Barbara McCalley, Allison Park, Pennsylvania

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    13/26

    Shrimp Scampi

    October/November 2005

    This shrimp scampi recipe looks like you fussed, but it’s easy to prepare. Lemon and herbs enhance the shrimp, and bread crumbs add a pleasing crunch. Served over pasta, this main dish is pretty enough for company. —Lori Packer, Omaha, Nebraska

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    14/26

    Pineapple Orange Cake

    June/July 2006

    This is one of my favorite cakes. It’s moist and light yet so satisfying. I’ve been adapting it for years and now it’s almost guilt-free. —Pam Sjolund, Columbia, South Carolina

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    15/26

    Buffalo Chicken Dip

    December/January 2007

    Buffalo wing sauce, cream cheese and ranch or blue cheese dressing make a great party dip. Everywhere I take it, people want this chicken wing dip recipe. —Peggy Foster, Florence, Kentucky

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    16/26

    Taste of Home

    Forgotten Jambalaya

    February/March 2008

    During chilly months, I fix this jambalaya recipe at least once a month. It’s so easy…just chop the vegetables, dump everything in the slow cooker and forget it! Even my sons, who are picky about spicy things, like this dish. —Cindi Coss, Coppell, Texas

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    17/26

    Stamp-of-Approval Spaghetti Sauce

    February/March 2009

    My father is very opinionated, especially about food. This recipe received his almost unreachable stamp of approval. I have yet to hear a disagreement from anyone who has tried it! —Melissa Taylor, Higley, Arizona

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    18/26

    Taste of Home

    Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle

    April/May 2010

    This rich, tempting trifle feeds a crowd and features the ever-popular combination of chocolate and peanut butter. Try this dessert for your next get-together. —Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania

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    19/26

    TMB Studio

    Creamy Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

    February/March 2011

    Creamy make-ahead mashed potatoes get even better when topped with a savory trio of cheese, onions and bacon. —JoAnn Koerkenmeier, Damiansville, Illinois

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    20/26

    Taste of Home

    Jalapeno Popper Spread

    August/September 2012

    I’ve been told by fellow party-goers that this recipe tastes exactly like a jalapeno popper. I like that it can be made without much fuss. —Ariane McAlpine, Penticton, British Columbia

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    21/26

    Coconut-Pecan German Chocolate Pie

    December 2013

    This pie combines the ingredients everyone loves in its classic cake cousin. It’s so silky and smooth, you won’t be able to put your fork down. —Anna Jones, Coppell, Texas

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    22/26

    TMB Studio

    co*keCola Cake

    September/October 2014

    We live in Coca-Cola country, where everyone loves a chocolaty, moist sheet cake made with the iconic soft drink. Our rich version does the tradition proud. —Heidi Jobe, Carrollton, Georgia

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    We made the original fantasy fudge recipe—and it still stacks up decades later.

    23/26

    Can't-Eat-Just-One Cinnamon Rolls

    February/March 2015

    My cinnamon rolls have been known to vanish quickly. Once I dropped off a dozen rolls for my brothers, and they emptied the pan in 10 minutes. —Regina Farmwald, West Farmington, Ohio

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    24/26

    The Ultimate Chicken Noodle Soup

    February/March 2016

    My first Wisconsin winter was so cold, all I wanted to eat was homemade chicken noodle soup. Of all the chicken noodle soup recipes out there, this one is my favorite, and is in heavy rotation from November to April. It has many incredibly devoted fans.—Gina Nistico, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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    25/26

    Bacon Pea Salad

    June/July 2017

    My husband absolutely loves peas. My middle son isn’t the biggest fan, but he loves bacon. So, I combined the two, and it was perfect! This pea salad is an awesome side dish, especially for barbecue. —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas

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    26/26

    Sausage and Pepper Sheet-Pan Sandwiches

    February/March 2018

    Sausage with peppers was always on the table when I was growing up. Here’s how I do it the easy way. Just grab a sheet pan and the ingredients, then let your oven do the work. —Debbie Glassco*ck, Conway, Arkansas

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    Up Next: The Best Recipes of 2023

    Originally Published: September 06, 2018

    Our BEST Recipes from the Past 25 Years (28)

    Ellie Martin Cliffe

    Ellie has spent almost 20 years writing and editing food and lifestyle content for several well-known publishers. As Taste of Home's content director, she leads the team of editors sharing tasty recipes, cooking tips and entertaining ideas. Since joining Taste of Home 13 years ago, she has held roles in digital and print, editing cookbooks, curating special interest publications, running magazines, starring in cooking and cleaning videos, working with the Community Cooks and even handing out cookies and cocoa at local holiday events. Gluten- and dairy-free since 2017, she’s a staff go-to on allergy-friendly foods that actually taste good.If she's not in her plant-filled office, find Ellie in her family’s urban veggie garden, in the kitchen trying new GF/DF recipes or at a local hockey rink, cheering on her spouse or third grader.

    Our BEST Recipes from the Past 25 Years (2024)

    FAQs

    What can you do with old recipes? ›

    A sizeable collection can be stored in standard archival file folders and boxes. Weak or damaged paper also can be placed in polyester sleeves and then in folders and boxes. Recipes also can be scanned and accessed electronically while the originals are kept in safe storage.

    How much do you have to change a recipe to make it your own? ›

    The general rule [...] is that three major [emphasis added] changes are required to make a recipe "yours." However, even if you make such changes, it is a professional courtesy to acknowledge the source of or inspiration for the recipe.

    What is the formula for recipe conversion factor? ›

    Obtain the conversion factor by dividing the required yield (from Step 2) by the old yield (from Step 1). That is, conversion factor = (required yield)/(recipe yield) or conversion factor = what you NEED ÷ what you HAVE.

    What is the best leftover food? ›

    • Meatloaf. Though meatloaf is often restricted to the weeknight dinner table, it is a powerhouse leftover. ...
    • Lasagna. Sure, there's nothing better than lasagna coming out of the oven hot with bubbling cheese. ...
    • Pulled Pork. ...
    • Beef Stew. ...
    • Chili. ...
    • Frittatas, Quiches and Tarts.

    What can I do with old family recipe cards? ›

    How to Display and Preserve Handwritten Recipes
    1. Showcase your handwritten recipe with a shadow box.
    2. Turn a cutting board into kitchen art.
    3. Use a small easel to hold recipes upright on the counter.
    4. Make backsplash art with customized recipe tiles.
    5. Create wall art with handwritten recipes on a canvas.
    Nov 11, 2022

    Can you legally own a recipe? ›

    For example, you can copyright a collection of recipes, such as a cookbook. And you can trademark the name of a recipe, such as "Betty Crocker's Devil's Food Cake Mix." But you cannot copyright or trademark a single recipe.

    Is it legal to post a recipe from a cookbook? ›

    From the US Copyright Office on Recipe Copyright

    However, when a recipe or formula is accompanied by substantial literary expression in the form of an explanation or directions, or when there is a combination of recipes, as in a cookbook, there may be a basis for copyright protection."

    Is it cheaper to buy or make your own food? ›

    Overall, the more food you make at home, the math tends to work out so that your food expenses will be considerably cheaper.

    What adjustments should you keep in mind when doubling a recipe? ›

    When doubling, you'll need to consider adjusting ingredient amounts, the size of your ingredient preparation tools, the size or quantity of your pots, pans or baking dishes and modifications to cooking time.

    How many cups are in a gallon? ›

    In liquid measurement, there are 16 cups in a gallon.

    Can all recipes be scaled up or down? ›

    You can do this with most recipes, but keep in mind that this process can sometimes modify the texture, taste, or appearance of the original recipe. Follow the tips above to help you get the best results! Sources: sweet2eatbaking.com.

    How many tablespoons is half an egg? ›

    So, half an egg will measure two tablespoons by volume or close to an ounce when weighed (. 875 ounce, but most digital scales won't give you that fine a measurement). Since even eggs labelled as large vary by weight, don't stress too much if your halved egg weighs more or less than an ounce.

    What are the 5 elements in a standard recipe? ›

    1. Yield. The yield tells the number and size of servings the recipe will make.
    2. List of Ingredients & Amounts.
    3. Step By Step Directions for Mixing & Handling.
    4. Equipment (Container Size & Type)
    5. Temperature & Time.

    How do you digitize old recipes? ›

    5 jazzy ways..
    1. Scan the recipe cards using a document scanner or phone app, such as CamScanner.
    2. Use an online recipe database like BigOven to store and organize your recipes digitally so that you can easily share them with family members.
    Jan 24, 2023

    How do you organize old recipes? ›

    Create a Filing System. If you tend to save recipes from magazines as well as handwritten recipe cards, sort them into a three-ring binder. Use tab dividers and plastic page protectors for both full sheets (for pages from a magazine) and divided sheets (for 3-by-5-inch recipe cards).

    How do you transfer handwritten recipes to wood? ›

    How to Transfer a Recipe onto Wood
    1. Print your recipe as the "mirror image" and on a laser printer. ...
    2. Apply a medium layer of Mod Podge to the wood. ...
    3. Lay your paper onto the wood over the Mod Podge. ...
    4. Dampen a rag thouroughly and ring it out (almost completely).
    Mar 16, 2020

    How do you turn a recipe into a gift? ›

    Transcribe your family's favorite cookie recipe onto a cookie jar, engrave grandma's oxtail soup recipe onto an easel (now you don't have to lean over and squint), or hang up the most oft-used family recipe on a sign so that it's always in sight.

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