Food Blog: Monthly Review - February Edition ❄️

Hi nameq,

Welcome back to the Sally's Baking Addiction monthly newsletter.

Happy almost March, bakers! This coming month we'll see the first day of spring and the promise of longer, sunnier days. ☀️ The start of a new season always gives me fresh baking inspiration. And, of course, this month I'll be baking Guinness Brownies and Irish Soda Bread. But first, let's take a look at some of February's highlights.

Reader Favorite Recipe from February 💗

The Best Sugar Cookies

This recipe received the most page views in February.

This has been one of my most popular recipes since it was 1st published in 2014! With only 7 ingredients, these cookies pack surprisingly big buttery and vanilla flavors. As long as you follow the order of steps (roll then chill!) the dough is very easy to work with and the cookies hold their shape beautifully when baked. They stay soft for days and freeze easily, too.

One reader said:

"This is my new go-to sugar cookie recipe with the accompanying icing. Super easy to work with and the cookies held their shape beautifully. We thought the taste after iced was great. The dough looks crumbly in the mixer but once it was turned out and I worked it together with my hands it was a great consistency for rolling. Followed recipe as written and will definitely make these again and again!"
- Danielle

February Baking Challenge Update

The February Baking Challenge recipe is Chocolate Soufflé.

Tomorrow is the last day to join the February Baking Challenge. See "How to Join Sally's Baking Challenge" below the recipe for details.

I publish a new baking challenge recipe every month on the 1st. The March Baking Challenge will be our 50th Sally's Baking Challenge! It's been a highly requested challenge recipe for a few years now. Make sure you check back on the website on Monday.

Two readers said:

"These were incredible! I gave one to my parents, prepared but not baked, and they immediately called me that it was possibly the most delicious thing they had ever eaten. Also thank you for the very clear instructions, it was very easy to follow. I paired it with your red wine ganache and it was simply amazing."
- Elizabeth

"My favorite thing about this recipe is that it was much simpler than I thought! And that it tasted delicious. The video and detailed instructions were very easy to follow, and the whole process was quite fast. I served with strawberries and whipped cream, and it was gone in a flash."
- Kristen

Here's What You've Been Baking

I love seeing Sally's Baking Addiction recipes in your own kitchen. Be sure to tag @sallysbakeblog on Instagram so I can see what you're baking.

Peanut Butter Blossoms by Sumathy

Red Velvet Cupcakes by Andrée

Apple Cinnamon Babka by Ariella

Fresh Berry Cream Cake by Jewelia

Easy Soft Pretzel Rolls by Kasia

Mega Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies by Jacqueline

And here's what I've been making: Homemade Bagels make a great breakfast comfort food during chilly winter months. Bagels seem like they would be really complicated to make at home, but the process is pretty simple even for beginners. We love making them in different flavors (cinnamon raisin, everything, cheese, and more are described in the recipe). Be sure to check out the video tutorial - and nearly 1,000 positive reviews!

New Quick Video Tutorials

You asked and we listened! While we always include detailed step-by-step directions and photos for every new recipe we publish, we know how helpful it can be to actually watch a recipe come together on video. Our team has been hard at work updating older recipes with helpful new video tutorials and our goal is to add more each month. Here's what we've added so far this month:

Recipe Reviews 🎉

Thank you so much for taking the time to rate recipes on Sally's Baking Addiction. Here's a few I enjoyed reading:

Star Bread

"If I could give this more stars I absolutely would! I made it two days in a row and one was savory while the other was sweet. My family and I loved both of them!! The dough rose beautifully and I loved how light and fluffy the dough was. Thank you so much for this absolutely amazing recipe!"
- Rachel

Black Forest Cake

"I made this over the weekend for my wife's birthday, and it came out perfect! Excellent instructions with use of easy-to-find ingredients. I was a bit worried that it might come out too sweet like most desserts, but this was just right! The chocolate ganache made the cake look and taste amazing! I am not a baker by any stretch of the imagination, but this was very easy and inspired me to do more. Thank you, Sally!"
- Gary

Cinnamon Swirl Quick Bread

"Hands down my favorite baking site! I made the bread for my 97 year old Mum. The cinnamon swirl bread was fantastic – she loved it! It came out super moist. The swirl was awesome and the smell was Incredible. We watched the tutorial together and she thought that was lots of fun. If I could give this more stars I would! Super easy directions, suggestions, great reviews, pictures and a video- how can you possibly fail?"
- Lisa