Top Recipes of 2015 (and what’s ahead for 2016)!

The top 10 recipes of 2015, along with some of my favorites! Plus, news on what’s ahead for the next year 🙂

top 10 recipes of 2015 collage with multiple images and title overlay

I know, I know. Everyone’s saying the same thing.

“The year is almost done — can you believe it?! Time goes by way too quickly!”

I’m no different than any of them. It’s crazy how much can change in just a year (and we’ll get into more of that later)!

For now though, my top 10 recipes of 2015 according to views:

1) The Best Oven Fried Chicken AGAIN!

crispy oven fried chicken in grey bowl with one piece cut in half

2) Cinnamon Roll Bites

cinnamon roll bites in glass pie plate with white glaze

3) One Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper

wooden spoon scooping hamburger helper out of black skillet

4) Brown Sugar Pecan Cookies

overhead image of brown sugar pecan cookies in basket

5) No Bake Christmas Tree Cookies

no bake christmas tree cookies on silver tray decorated with white chocolate and mini m&ms

6) Butter Tart Squares

stack of four butter tart squares with bite taken out of top bar

7) Grandma’s Hot Fudge Sundae Cake

glass plate with hot fudge sundae cake and a scoop of ice cream

8) Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese

sloppy joe grilled cheese cut in half on black plate with pickles

9) One Pot Chicken Chow Mein

black skillet with chicken chow mein with baby corn carrots and peas

10) Fudgy Mint Chocolate No Bake Cookies

stack of four mint chocolate no bake cookies with mint frosting and chocolate ganache

So there you have my top 10 recipes of the year according to you! And ironically, only 1 is a new one from 2015!

And now here are my top 5 recipes posted in 2015:

1) One Pot Chicken Chow Mein — the only one that made it into the list above!

2) Baked Lemon Blueberry Doughnuts

two lemon blueberry baked donuts stacked on a white and blue plate

3) Cherry Cheesecake Brownies

stack of three cherry cheesecake brownies on a white plate on a black background

4) Glazed Lemon Monkey Bread

lemon monkey bread covered in glaze with whole lemons all around

5) No Bake Turtle Cookies

no bake turtle cookies on cooling rack with caramel spread and chocolate drizzle

And an honorable mention: this Spanish Potato Omelette is one of our new favorites and a great healthy breakfast or dinner for the New Year!

spanish tortilla slice on white plate with vegetables in the background

And now NEWS!

So, I’m actually kind of shy and relatively quiet in real life. I’ve always loved writing though, and I find that when I’m sitting here by myself writing these posts I can get overly emotional at times, mostly because there’s no one standing across from me looking really awkward.

I’m going to try to avoid doing that today. But I have a pretty big announcement to make.

Ready?

Tomorrow, December 31, 2015, is my last day officially employed by the school division I used to teach in.

And I know that everyone is probably thinking that I’m jumping for joy, I’m finally free! I’m finally self-employed full time! I finally get to live out my dream of becoming the Canadian Ree Drummond!

But it’s not really like that.

I mean, it’s absolutely, positively wonderful. But it’s a bittersweet thing. I loved my job as a high school teacher, and I loved the school and school division I was a part of — there was no question about that. I have plenty of friends who are bloggers who just hate their jobs and wait until the day they can make the switch, and yes, for them, it’s probably a Hallelujah moment.

Don’t get me wrong. I feel really, insanely lucky to get to create recipes, cook, bake, photograph, write, and work with some of my favorite brands for a living. I have loved food for a long time. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a hard thing to do.

Right now, with my girls being 1 and 3, I knew — my husband and I both knew — there was no way I would continue with two full time jobs.

And so here we are, jumping right into this life of self-employment and leaving behind friends, colleagues, students, and a job I love. From this day forward I’m a web site publisher, recipe developer, food stylist, food photographer, video producer, writer, social media manager, marketing director, all around problem solver, and mom. Oh and a wife and a sister and a daughter and friend when there’s time (there’s not).

And I know there have been lots of words and not very many pretty pictures of food, but there’s just one more thing: I need YOU.

Yes, it’s cheesy. Yes, it’s TRUE.

Without those of you who follow along or give me feedback on recipes or leave me wonderful and even the not-so-wonderful comments, I would not be here.

And I would love your continued support.

So please, for my sanity, like the odd Facebook or Instagram post so I know you’re actually out there, and if you make a recipe, tell me! Please leave me a comment letting me know how it worked or if it didn’t — this is the best way for me to improve. I want to hear from you! Whether it’s here on the site, or on social media, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

So thank you, and I hope you have a wonderful New Year!

Meet Ashley

My name is Ashley Fehr and I love creating easy meals my family loves. I also like to do things my way, which means improvising and breaking the rules when necessary. Here you will find creative twists on old favorites and some of my favorite family recipes, passed down from generations!

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Comments

  1. Kelly says

    Aaw big congrats on making the switch to blogging full-time. I know it must have been a tough decision but I know you are totally going to rock! You are so dedicated and it shows so much in everything you do 🙂 So so proud of you and I loved each and everyone of these recipes! Can’t wait to see what you share in 2016! 🙂

  2. Jess @ Sweetest Menu says

    Wow Ashley! You are inspiring! i had no idea you weren’t a blogger who was blogging full time. The quality of your content is outstanding and I can’t believe you had the capacity to do that and work and be a mother! Well done! I also understand how you must have mixed feelings, its exciting but its not easy to run your own business. But you are incredibly talented and I hope 2016 is an exciting and successful one for you and your family! xx

    • Ashley Fehr says

      Thanks so much Jess! I was actually still on maternity leave, so I wasn’t technically working, but I just decided I couldn’t go back at this point. It is hard but I’m looking forward to having the flexibility I need right now! Happy New Year to you!

  3. Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says

    Firstly, CONGRATULATIONS, it is so scary I know but you are going to ROCK IT! Secondly, I want to reach through my screen and grab every single one of these recipes…I can definitely see why each one has been popular! Happy New Year, Ashley, I can’t wait to see what 2016 brings!

  4. Marcie says

    It is hard leaving a chapter of your life behind, especially when it was something you enjoyed — I feel for you! That said, you’re such a talented blogger and I know you’re going to be even more successful being full time (not to mention spending more time with your beautiful girls)! These recipes look amazing and I can’t wait to see what you bring us in 2016. Happy New Year! ?

  5. Linda says

    That sloppy joe grilled cheese looks amazing uh-MAZING. Congratulations on the switch! All your hard work paid off. Can’t wait to see what’s in store for the New Year!

  6. Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says

    Yaaay! Girl, I’m SO excited for you! I just know that you’re going to take The Recipe Rebel to even more amazing places in the coming year. Also, I HAVE to get around to trying that oven-fried chicken! It’s been on my to-do list for a long time. 😉

  7. Amanda says

    This is a great list! There are so many things I want to make. Right away I zoned in on that hot fudge sundae cake. Wow. And that chicken chow mein looks heavenly.

  8. Dorothy Dunton says

    Hi Ashley! Your blog is one of a half dozen blogs I follow. I not only enjoy (and appreciate) your recipes, but I also enjoy your commentary! I can tell you are a dedicated and caring person. Being able to work at home doing what you love and be with your children at this very important time in their lives is a blessing! You will still be teaching, just in a different way! I wish you every happiness! PS I also love your recipes and ideas!

    • Ashley Fehr says

      Thank you so much Dorothy! I’m so glad you’re here — I always love reading your thoughtful comments and getting your feedback! I hope you have a great New Years and a fabulous 2016!

  9. Alison says

    Best of luck, Ashley! I made those peppermint Oreo truffles a few times this Christmas and my family couldn’t get enough! Whenever I need a new food idea, I always check your site. Can’t wait to see what you have planned for 2016!

  10. Nora | Savory Nothings says

    Congrats on making this hard decision, Ashley! I know it’s not a Hallelujah-Moment for everyone and self-employment can be one of the scariest things with a family to provide for. But just look at your top posts – you’re already a rockstar! A very happy New Year to you and your family! xoxo

    • Ashley Fehr says

      It is totally scary for someone as much of a planner as I am! Lol. I am not the kind to enjoy a lot of spontaneity and uncertainty as far as employment goes. It’s a good thing we have such a fabulous support group! 🙂 Happy New Year Nora!

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