Hi, Reader,

You know what I love about the Top 10 recipes of 2025? (Revisit that list here!) They tell me SO much about what you're craving in your kitchen right now!

You clearly love homemade bread (same!), you're all about those easy slow cooker dinners, and you appreciate a good cookie that doesn't require fancy ingredients. I see you, and I'm here for it!

So I spent some time thinking: "If someone loves THAT recipe, what else would make them happy?" And that's exactly what today's email is all about.

I've hand-picked 12 recipes that are similar to your Top 10 favorites.

Think of this as your personalized recommendation list - like when Netflix suggests "because you watched this, you might like that," except it's me suggesting recipes based on what you've already told me you love!

Because You Loved Those Top 10: Here Are More Recipes Just For You!

BECAUSE YOU LOVED: The Best Cornbread, Easy Sourdough Bread & Subway Bread 🍞

You clearly can't get enough of homemade bread - and honestly, who can blame you? Three of your Top 10 were bread recipes, which tells me you appreciate the smell of fresh-baked bread filling your kitchen and the satisfaction of slicing into something you made yourself.

If those three recipes have earned permanent spots in your rotation, I think you're going to love these additional bread and biscuit recipes. Each one has that same "worth the effort" quality while being totally doable for busy home cooks.

Sour Cream Cornbread

This is the cornbread that converted my husband - and he used to say he "didn't like cornbread!" The secret? Sour cream. It creates the most incredibly moist, tender crumb while adding just a hint of tanginess that perfectly balances the sweetness. This isn't dry, crumbly cornbread - this is the kind you actually look forward to eating.

I make this at least twice a month because it pairs with absolutely everything - chili, soup, BBQ, roasted chicken - you name it. But my favorite way? Still warm from the oven with butter melting into every bite.

Why This Recipe Works:

• Sour cream keeps it incredibly moist (even the next day!)
• Perfect balance of sweet and savory
• One bowl, minimal dishes
• Foolproof every single time

Pro Tip: Let the batter rest for 5 minutes before baking - this allows the cornmeal to hydrate and creates an even better texture!

Best Corn Muffins

Sometimes you need cornbread but in portable, individual servings - enter these corn muffins! They're everything you love about great cornbread but baked into perfect little portions. The tops get golden and slightly domed, with those delicious crispy edges we all fight over.

I love these for packed lunches, breakfast on-the-go, or when I'm serving soup to a crowd and want everyone to have their own piece. They freeze beautifully too, which means you can have fresh-baked corn muffins any time with just a quick reheat.

What Makes These Special:

• Perfectly sized for meal prep
• Golden, crispy tops
• Tender, moist centers
  Freeze and reheat beautifully

Make-ahead magic: Bake these on Sunday, freeze individually wrapped, and grab one for lunch boxes all week. 30 seconds in the microwave and they taste fresh-baked!

Kitchen note: Use a standard 12-cup muffin tin and don't overfill - about 2/3 full is perfect for those beautiful domed tops.

Classic Homemade Breads

Homemade Italian Bread

There's something deeply satisfying about pulling a crusty, golden loaf of Italian bread from your own oven. This recipe creates that crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside texture that makes you tear off "just one more piece" until suddenly half the loaf is gone.

It's perfect for mopping up pasta sauce, making bruschetta, or just eating warm with good butter.

Time-saving note: The dough can rise in the fridge overnight - just plan ahead and you'll have fresh bread with minimal active work!

Whole Wheat Clover Dinner Rolls

These adorable clover-shaped rolls are a family favorite for a reason. They're slightly sweet, wonderfully soft, and have that nutty whole wheat flavor that makes them feel wholesome without being heavy.

Plus, they're just so PRETTY on the table! The clover shape might look fancy, but it's actually really easy - I promise.

Make-ahead magic: Shape these the night before, refrigerate, then let them come to room temperature and rise while you prep dinner. Fresh rolls with zero stress!

Simple Cream Biscuits

If you're intimidated by traditional biscuit-making, START HERE. These use just heavy cream (no butter cutting required!) and they're foolproof. Flaky, tender, and done in under 20 minutes.

They're perfect alongside soup, for breakfast sandwiches, or - my favorite - split and topped with fresh berries and whipped cream.

The secret: Don't overmix! Stir just until the dough comes together. Overworking = tough biscuits.

Easy Cinnamon Sugar Quick Bread

This is the bread that makes your house smell like a bakery on a Sunday morning. It's technically a quick bread (no yeast = no waiting!), but it tastes like you spent all morning baking.

That swirl of cinnamon sugar throughout... I mean, come on. Toast it the next day and you've basically got cinnamon toast without any work.

Genius move: Make two loaves - one to eat now, one to freeze for later. Future You will be so grateful!

BECAUSE YOU LOVED: The Best Chicken Tacos 🌮

Those chicken tacos ranked #3 for a reason - they're quick, flavorful, and endlessly versatile! The fact that they made your Top 10 tells me you appreciate Mexican-inspired meals that bring big flavor without complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.

If chicken tacos are in your regular rotation, these two recipes will fit right into your weekly meal plan. Same satisfying flavors, same easy approach, just different presentations.

Baked Chicken Tacos

Crispy tortillas filled with seasoned chicken, fresh toppings, and all your favorite fixings - what's not to love? These tacos are always a big hit, satisfying to eat, and way better than takeout.

Topping tip: Make a quick and easy Cream Cilantro Lime Dressing for drizzling over the top as a garnish—I promise it will take these to the next level!

Steak Carnitas Meat in the Crock-Pot

This is one of those recipes you'll make over and over because it's SO versatile. Throw steak in the slow cooker in the morning, come home to tender, flavorful meat that works in tacos, burritos, burrito bowls, nachos, quesadillas... you get the idea.

One recipe, a week's worth of dinner possibilities.

Meal prep win: Make a double batch and freeze half. You'll thank yourself on those nights when "what's for dinner?" feels impossible to answer.

BECAUSE YOU LOVED: Toll House Cookies & No-Bake Energy Balls 🍪

Between the classic chocolate chip cookies (#7) and those healthy energy balls (#8), you've shown me you want BOTH indulgent treats AND wholesome snacks in your life. I respect that balance!

Sometimes you need a real cookie with gooey chocolate chips, and sometimes you need something that tastes good but also fuels your day.

These three recipes give you more of both worlds - classic cookies that satisfy those sweet cravings and healthier options that won't derail your goals.

Grandma's Slice-n-Bake Cookies

My grandma knew what she was doing with this recipe. Make the dough ahead, keep it in the fridge (or freezer!), and slice off fresh cookies whenever you need them. They're buttery, simple, and taste like childhood.

Plus, there's something so satisfying about slicing uniform cookies off a log - it's oddly therapeutic?

Game changer: Keep a roll of this dough in your freezer at all times. Unexpected guests? Fresh cookies in 12 minutes.

Zucchini Oatmeal Cookies

Sneaking vegetables into dessert? Yes, please! These cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with oats and shredded zucchini (which adds moisture, not veggie flavor - I promise).

They're the perfect not-too-sweet cookie for breakfast (don't judge), after-school snacks, or anytime you want something wholesome-ish.

Mom win: The kids will never know there's zucchini in these. It's our little secret. Also, this is a GREAT way to use up summer garden zucchini!

No-Bake Coconut Protein Balls

These protein balls have become my secret weapon for busy mornings, after-school snacks, and that mid-afternoon energy slump. They taste like a treat (that coconut flavor is SO good!), but they're packed with protein and wholesome ingredients that actually keep you satisfied.

The best part? They're completely no-bake, which means you can make a batch in about 10 minutes with minimal cleanup. I keep a container of these in the fridge at all times - they're perfect for grabbing on your way out the door, packing in lunch boxes, or having on hand when the kids say they're "starving" five minutes before dinner.

What Makes These Amazing:

• Real protein boost from protein powder
• Coconut adds natural sweetness
• No-bake = no heating up the kitchen
• Stay fresh in the fridge for 2 weeks

Storage tip: Roll these into individual portions and freeze them. Pop one in your bag in the morning and it'll be perfectly thawed for your afternoon snack!

Customization note: You can use vanilla or chocolate protein powder depending on your preference. Both work beautifully!

BECAUSE YOU LOVED: Biscuits & Gravy + Easy Glazed Donuts ☀️

Two of your Top 10 were special-occasion breakfast recipes - the kind that make weekend mornings feel celebratory! This tells me you don't just want quick cereal or toast (though those have their place) - you want breakfasts that make your family excited to come to the table.

If you're already making biscuits and gravy or homemade donuts, you'll love having this make-ahead casserole in your breakfast repertoire. Same comfort food vibes, but even more hands-off.

Sourdough French Toast Casserole

This is French toast for people who don't want to stand at the stove flipping individual pieces. Prep it the night before, pop it in the oven in the morning, and you've got a crowd-pleasing breakfast that tastes fancy but requires minimal effort.

That tangy sourdough flavor takes this from good to AMAZING.

Holiday hosting hack: This is my go-to for Christmas morning or when we have overnight guests. Everyone thinks I'm a morning person, but really I just planned ahead!

So there you have it - 12 recipes hand-picked based on what YOU told me you love!

The beautiful thing about this list is that I already know you'll enjoy these recipes because they're so similar to the ones you've already bookmarked, made, and loved. They use the same techniques you're comfortable with, feature the same flavor profiles you crave, and fit into your lifestyle the same way.

I'm curious: Have you already tried any of these? Or which one are you adding to this week's meal plan? Hit reply and let me know - I genuinely love hearing which recipes resonate with you!

And if you haven't revisited the original Top 10 Recipes of 2025, go take another look. Sometimes the best recipes are the ones we keep coming back to over and over again.

P.S. - If you love these recommendations, let me know! I might make this a regular thing where I curate recipe suggestions based on what's trending with readers. Would you find that helpful?

Thank you for being here! I so appreciate you,

Melissa

Free Resources for You

• ​Free 20-page Meal Planning 101 Guide​
• ​Ready, Set, Sourdough - Free guide on how to get started with sourdough!
• ​Sourdough Starter video course - Create your own sourdough starter with these 7 daily videos (day 7 is making the loaf of bread!)
• ​Crocktober: 31 Days of Crock-Pot Recipes - Free download with all 31 recipes.

A Few of My Favorite Things...

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