Hello! Happy 2020! I’ve started this new year (decade?!) out by putting myself on a self-imposed kitchen break. I messed up four cakes in a row, so I figured I might be…dare I say…tired. Just a little worn out.

It makes sense—I cranked out about 100 new recipes last year, plus many celebration cakes and family dinners. I deserve a little break. Rest assured, I’ll be back in action next week, but it’s been nice to watch quality television and catch a couple of shows I’ve been meaning to see for months. And, of course, to reflect on some of my favorite things I made last year. Put simply, these are the recipes I had the most fun making, eating and sharing in 2019.Neapolitan Cake

This certainly wasn’t the easiest thing I made this year, but sometimes the intricate things are the most fun to make. One batter, three kinds of cake and corresponding buttercreams organized in a checkerboard pattern and piped to a ridiculous degree…it’s not for everyone. But every once in a while, it’s fun to give in to a big project, especially when it’s time to slice it up.Flourless Italian Rainbow Cookies

And speaking of “project” baking, these Flourless Italian Rainbow Cookies were one of my favorite mysteries to figure out last year. Nailing down the right ratio of almond paste to eggs to almond flour was challenging and tedious, yes, but it was also really fun. In retrospect, it’s probably why my brain is so deeply fried right now. #worthitPretzel Shortbread

This is a simple recipe, but it took a few tries to get it just right. Inspired by Philadelphia’s Lost Bread Co., these crisp, salty-sweet cookies are made with ground pretzels and then “pretzeled” themselves!Lazy Lemon Curd + Lemon Meringue S’mores

This three ingredient lemon curd is hardly a recipe, but smear it on a graham cracker and squish it together with a toasted marshmallow and…well, it’s love. Lemon meringue love.Buttermilk Pie with Oatmeal Crust

Once a reader said she used my Toasted Oat Graham Cracker dough as her pie crust, I knew I had to try it for myself. I made a few tweaks (couldn’t help myself!), but I love this chewy, cookie-esque crust almost as much as the vanilla-scented buttermilk custard baked into it.Chocolate Cut-Out Cookies

I am not the best cookie decorator in the world, but tell me these aren’t adorable. Add to them that the cookies below the icing are rich, chocolaty and simple to make, and you’ve got your Valentine’s Day treat sorted. Not bad for the third day of the new year.Frarej {Lebanese Lemon Chicken}

This is my family’s take on a hometown favorite. Lemony and garlicky as all get out, Frarej will become one of your family’s favorites, too!Hot Fudge

I look forward to making ice cream toppings every summer. They’re fun to tinker with and always better than what you find at the grocery store. That goes double for this Hot Fudge, which is less sweet than you’d expect, but no less irresistible.Carrot Cake Petit Fours

I won’t lie, these almost killed me—poured fondant is not for the faint of heart—but were they ever worth the effort.Peanut Butter Marble Cake

I made this for my birthday and my six-year sobriety anniversary last year, and if I had it in me to bake right now, it’s the cake I’d choose to ring in the new decade. Chocolaty, peanut buttery, festive and fun—who could ask for anything more?

Have you made any of these recipes? Let me know in the comments or on social media!