Hey, Reader, it's Erin.

I can't believe The Speckled Palate turns 15 at the end this month. Fifteen years of recipes, photos, stories, and all of you showing up to cook along with me. It's wild to look back and see how far we've come.

When I started TSP in 2011, I had no idea what would resonate or that this could even become my full-time job. I definitely didn't expect cocktails and mocktails to become some of my most popular content — but here we are, with FIVE drinks in the top 15. (Those recipes really helped my site take off and become what it is today, even though I don't share them as much anymore.)

So today, I'm counting down YOUR top 15 most-visited recipes from the last 15 years. Some of these are exactly what you'd expect. Others? They still surprise me every time I look at the data.

In two weeks, I'll share MY personal top 15... and we'll see if there is any overlap.

#15: Ever decorated sugar cookies and needed a quick frosting that wasn't royal icing? This recipe has been a mainstay in our house for years. Bonus: you can make it dairy-free and vegan.

#14: This spiked coffee drink has been a holiday favorite since I first shared it. Simple and cozy, I photographed this recipe right before an awful snowstorm hit Dallas and will never forget how I sipped this recipe as we watched the storm roll in.

#13: For when you want a burger but don't want to fire up the grill. This one's been quietly racking up visits throughout the years.

#12: Here is what's funny: this compound butter outperforms my actual garlic herb steak recipe. That said, I get it because this is some kind of delicious and elevates any steak you might make at home.

#11: Loaded, shareable and always a crowd-pleaser. These nachos are one of my favorite dinners to make with leftover pulled pork.

#10: This festive cocktail shows up every holiday season without fail.

#9: This no-bake dip always surprises me. It's shareable and irresistible if you don't mind the fact that it skews a little sweeter than a traditional cheesecake.

#8: Proof that mocktails can hold their own. This two-ingredient drink has been driving traffic ever since I shared it.

#7: Crunchy, buttery and coated in cinnamon sugar, these pretzels are so simple and perfect for snacking.

#6: This was my original viral recipe. It's become a holiday staple for so many of you... and for good reason!

#5: Fun fact: I developed and photographed this drink recipe while pregnant. My taste testers did some heavy lifting for me here since I could not actually drink this drink. However, during the shoot, I mixed one without vodka and discovered that this fresh, fruity, warm-weather drink is fabulous as a mocktail, too.

#4: This recipe was shared with me by my sister-in-law and her friends (and they OK'ed me sharing it with the world!)... and it's a nod to the ice storm that the recipe was developed in. Pipes froze, then busted and left a big mess. Hence the name.

#3: Once you've mastered the roux, you make this. This one is a classic for a reason!

#2: This technique is foundational to Louisiana cooking. Master this, and you unlock some serious Cajun and Creole flavor.

#1: No surprise here! This has been my #1 post for years, and it shares exactly how to get restaurant-quality steak without firing up the grill.

Thank you for 15 years of cooking together. These recipes are popular because of you: because you made them, shared them and kept coming back for more.

Here's to whatever the next 15 years bring! Cheers!

Happy cooking,
Erin

P.S. In two weeks, I'll share MY personal top 15 recipes from the last 15 years. Let's see if any of them overlap with yours.

Howdy! I'm Erin. At The Speckled Palate, you'll find easy recipes and drinks that call for simple, fresh ingredients that hopefully inspire you to invite your people into your home for super low-key gatherings. Buy me a cup of coffee. take me to the blog

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