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    Home » recipes » round ups » Best Recipes 2020

    by Kathy Patalsky · updated: Jan 1, 2021 · published: Jan 1, 2021 · About 10 minutes to read this article. Leave a Comment

    Best Recipes 2020

    Today I am sharing my Best Recipes of 2020! These posts to re-cap the year are some of my favorites here on the blog. Last year’s 2019 is here. And today I weave through 2020. It was (for my blog) an excellent year in recipes!

    Check out this list of vegan recipes.

    2020.

    There is so much to say about this crazy year. I feel so conflicted about watching this year exit. Even though so many tragic and profoundly awful things happened in 2020, for me personally, the good stuff took center stage. So I have to feel somewhat (oddly) grateful for 2020.

    With Rosalie coming into our lives, it was pretty hard to feel sad or mad at this year.

    best recipes 2020
    photo by: Heather Leven

    Connection in 2020

    But still… I missed people! Though I’m an introvery who has been working from home for the past thirteen-ish years, I found myself missing people in 2020. At first it was out of the desire to celebrate being pregnant and usher this new chapter in my life in surrounded my my people – my community. But then later on, like now, I’m missing people just out of the pure joy of looking face to face and intermingling with people you care about. Text messages, zooms and phone calls just do NOT do it for me for that well-rounded, warm and fuzzy connected feeling between friends and family.

    First Time Mom-ing

    And lastly, I have been missing people because I am a first time mom and it’s been HARD. I can trudge through the day-to-day 24/7 mom stuff. Being with Rosalie brings me so much joy. But I’m missing out on connection during this time. People.

    I also miss working! In a “normal” world, at this point, Rosalie is 4.5 months, I might start having a sitter come in once a week for a few hours so I could get some work done in front of my computer – or behind the camera – or in the kitchen. My husband and I make it work so I get a few things done for the blog, but it’s been a stretch.

    And most times I find a break, I fill it with napping or taking a bubble bath or hopping on my Peloton. The last thing a tired new mom wants to do it sit behind a computer screen with droopy eyes and tired arms.

    2020: Mix of Emotions, But Great Food!

    So yeah, 2020 has been a tumbled mix of emotions for us. But overall, I am leaving it feeling so happy about this new chapter in my life of moming.

    I feel like there is a giant dark cave of uncertainty when it comes to the next year, but hopefully with a few warm and glowy flashlights, we can creep our way forward and come out the other side. Together! And with so many lessons learned.

    I will say that this past year, I did more home cooking than ever. And I loved it! 2020 re-ignited my “from scratch” and “slow cooking” passions. BAking bread and working with yeast and axing takeout for months at a time really felt like a gift in the end.

    Home Cooking in 2020

    But through it all, we all had our kitchens and recipes and home-cooked food! And I must say, I loved so many of the recipes I posted this year. It was hard to narrow down these best recipes of 2020!

    So now is your chance to play catch up on the past year. I hope that if you haven’t had a chance to pop over here for all of them, browse this list below. And have a healthy, happy, recipe-filled 2021!…

    Best Recipes 2020

    The Top Ten – these were the most popular recipes from my blog in 2020.

    1 – 32 Stress-Baking Recipes from Bloggers

    My number one recipe of the year was in fact a round-up! This post included what bloggers were stress-baking during the pandemic. From banana bread and sourdough to cookies and bagels. I certainly did plenty of stress-baking this year!

    2 – Dalgona Matcha

    This best recipe of 2020 was really fun to create! It is my matcha spin on the social media viral content of dalgona coffee. Coconut cream on top and all!..

    dalgona matcha

    3 – Babka (Chocolate or Cinnamon)

    This was such a fun recipe to play around with. This was my first time making Babka and I’m so glad I have this recipe in my collection now. It’s so lovely for a fancy brunch or special dessert treat – or just for snacking on with tea or coffee.

    chocolate babka

    4 – DIY Soy Milk

    Another best recipe of 2020 was this how to make soy milk tutorial. With all the ‘from scratch’ cooking this year, this is a great recipe to have in your back pocket. I love homemade soy milk for it’s flavor, simplicity and quality of ingredients.

    homemade soy milk

    5 – Chocolate Layer Cake

    A classic dessert was one of my best recipes of 2020. This fudgy, rich, light and fluffy sponge layered with creamy chocolate buttercream is an absolute favorite of mine.

    Chocolate Layer Cake

    6 – Potato Soup

    This best recipe of 2020 is for my comforting potato soup. I am obsessed with this stuff! It is so creamy and rich, yet filled with veggies of cauliflower and potato. It is the best vegan potato soup I have made (and tried!) and I hope you cozy up to a bowl in 2021.

    potato soup

    7 – Olio Pasta

    When I came back from my 2019 trip to Italy, I was obsessed with pasta – obviously. And this Aglio e Olio pasta is such a simple and delicious bowl to try.

    olio pasta

    8 – Chickpea-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

    Sometimes the simplest recipes are the best! This super easy to make meal of oven-baked sweet potatoes, hummus and skillet chickpeas is flavorful and nourishing – and beautiful!

    chickpea-stuffed sweet potatoes

    9 – Bagels

    If you follow me on Insta, you have probably noticed that I am obsessed with making bagels. I make a fresh batch at least once a week and just love experimenting with new flavors. I really hope you try making your own bagels in 2021.

    bagels

    10 – Vegan Cinnamon Rolls

    These classic vegan cinnamon rolls were definitely a best recipe of 2020! We love them around the holidays – I actually made two trays of roll around Christmas and we ate them all – LOL! And I also love them for special occasions year-round. For brunching or just when you want a warm, cozy, cinnamon-spiced treat.

    Beyond the Top Ten…

    And in no particular order, here are the remaining best recipes that won me (and you guys) over in 2020…

    11 – Fast and Easy Baked Beans

    Beans on toast, anyone? Love these for lunch!

    12 – “Famous” Fresh Blueberry Muffins

    This is a veganized recipe for a classic..

    13 – Vegan Powdered Donuts

    This snack treat classic gets a vegan DIY makeover.

    powder donuts

    14 – Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

    Cozy and classic, soft and raisin-studded.

    oatmeal raisin cookies on a plate

    15 – Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake Bites

    Something decadent for your dessert plate..

    16 – Peanut Noodles with Tempeh and Kale

    A favorite one-bowl wonder meal. Protein rich.

    peanut noodles

    17 – Green Goddess Salad

    This greens-packed bowl is filled with flavor. Crave your greens!

    goddess salad

    18 – Double Berry Crumble Muffins

    Love the muffin tops on these gems!

    Double Berry Crumble Muffins

    19 – PB Banana Flapjacks

    These are such a versatile treat or snack or morning energizer!

    peanut butter banana flapjacks

    20 – Kale Pesto Pasta

    This one-bowl meal is packed with greens and a cozy vibe.

    pesto pasta

    21 – Yellow Cake

    This reminds me of the 90’s and cake mix boxes. And I love it!

    cupcakes on a pink background

    22 – Double Chocolate Chip Loaf

    Chocolate on chocolate. Total craving-blaster when in a chocolate mood! Warm or cold, this stuff is epic.

    chocolate loaf

    23 – Peanut Sauce Veggie Rice Bowls

    I made this soooo many times during the early days of the pandemic. It was my go-to meal when pregnant. It is one bowl of delicious, hearty goodness. Love the peanutty chickpeas and fluffy rice. Definitely a most-loved, best recipe of 2020.

    rice bowls

    24 – Burrito Bowls

    A vegan classic for a best recipe of 2020..

    easy vegan burrito bowl

    25 – Peach Coconut Water Smoothie

    For those hot days of summer, this is a go-to sip! Super refreshing and hydrating with real peach flavor.

    26 – Crinkle-Top Brownies

    Chocolate, fudgy, vegan brownies to the rescue… Crinkly tops and all.

    27 – Classic Falafel

    This recipe for falafel is perfect for stuffing pita pockets or topping off salads.

    falafel

    28 – Banana French Toast

    Simple banana-infused, egg-free spin on french toast. A best recipe of 2020 because I made it so many times last winter and spring! I always served it with kiwi.

    banana french toast breakfast

    29 – How to Make Vegan Milk Foam

    Love a latte? Read this!

    foamy latte

    30 – Sloppy Joes (Lentil)

    Love these protein and iron-rich vegan sloppy joes. A fave of 2020.

    sloppy joes

    31 – Southern Soul Bowl

    This vegan bowl includes mac and cheese, greens, cornbread. Comfort food for a crazy year.

    Vegan Southern Soul Bowl

    32 – Butternut Squash Soup

    A simple blend of squash and apple for a warming bowl.

    butternut squash soup

    33 – Pizza for 2020

    I always try to post at least one pizza a year, and this black olive and green pepper pizza really won us over as a best recipe of 2020.

    34 – Chocolate Frosted Donuts

    Like the classic snack treat, only DIY and vegan…

    chocolate frosted donuts

    35 – Copycat Chipotle Veggie Fajita Burritos

    This copycat Chipotle recipe was a winner when everything seemed to shutdown here in SoCal. Even food takeout! You guys loved this one as a best recipe of 2020.

    copycat chipotle veggie burrito

    36 – Oreo Pudding

    Easy, fun and kid-approved. The flavor of Oreo in a pudding….

    37 – Vegan Pecan Pie

    My first vegan pecan pie and this stuff was addicting! Tastes just like the real thing.

    pecan pie

    38 – Cheddar Jalapeńo Bagels

    My husbands fave flavor…

    39 – Chocolate Protein Shake

    A simple blend for a sweet, nourishing sip.. I love this paired with a PB+J!

    protein shake

    40 – Strawberry Banana Smoothie

    Nothing revolutionary here, but absolutely a best recipe of 2020.

    strawberry shake

    41 – Chickpea Banana Bread

    Sounds weird, but it’s really good and a great way to sneak in more moisture to your loaf – and chickpeas!

    chickpea banana bread

    42 – Homemade Pita Bread

    Never buy pita bread again! This stuff is so good and easier than you may think..

    pita bread

    43 – Biscotti

    An end of the year recipe worth mentioning because I love it so much. almond flavor with some lovely crunch.

    biscotti

    44 – Simple Vegan Chili

    This is an excellent vegan recipe for a chilly day or night. Beans are packed with good stuff..

    vegan chili

    45 – Buttermilk Biscuits

    Vegan spin on a classic side bread..

    biscuits

    46 – Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream

    Rich and creamy. This scoop is epic!

    chocolate peanut ice cream

    47 – Cozy Bean Soup

    this vegan soup has sausage, potato and beans in a warming garlicky- broth.

    bean soup

    48 – Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Chewy and amazing…

    chewy cookies

    49 – Mushroom Potato Pot Pie

    Mushroom lovers will love this rich and creamy, nourishing entree. Creamy cashew base.

    pot pie

    50 – Loaf and Loaf and Loaf

    And this final one shares a few fave loafs this year… lemon-blueberry, pumpkin and chocolate chip banana bread.

    And two favorite round-ups of 2020: 48 Vegan Casserole Recipes and Bloggers Fave Pantry-Ingredient Recipes.

    And I shared a lot of content on my infertility, pregnancy and baby journey as well.

    Cheers to a New Year!..

    That’s it! My top 50 recipes of 2020. Thank you so much for being here on HHL this year. It means the world to me that you seek recipes and culinary inspiration from me. Thank you, thank you.

    Let me know what you want to see on HHL in 2021! Comment below or on social media! Some 2021 trend predictions according to food + wine magazine.

    Sending you so much love, light and delicious food in 2021!! ~ Kathy

    kathy malibu sunlight summer 2020

    More round ups

    • 32 Stress Baking Recipes from Bloggers
    • 48 Vegan Casserole Recipes
    • Pantry-Friendly Meals: 37 Plant-Based Ideas
    • Top Recipes of 2019

    About Kathy Patalsky

    Hey there! I'm Kathy, lover of kitty cats, weekend baking, 90's movies, travel, beach fog and foamy lattes. Since 2007, I have been sharing my vegan recipes and photos. My goal is to make your cooking life a little easier, delicious - and plant-loaded - while sharing some LIFE and conversation along the way.

    Vegan Linzer Cookies

    5 Ingredient Vegan Chocolate Pie

    Vegan Pumpkin Bread with Streusel Topping

    Vegan Oatmeal Cookies, Lunchbox-Ready

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