Food Blog: Monthly Review - April Edition 🌷

Hi nameq,

Happy almost May and welcome back to the monthly newsletter! It was a busy month behind the scenes, so there weren't many new recipes published. If you're anything like me, however, you made the new recipe for chocolate chip loaf on repeat. So buttery!

Reader Favorite Recipe from April 💗

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

You've seen this recipe featured in this spot many times before. That's because it's consistently been the most popular cookie recipe on the website since 2013. These are super soft chocolate chip cookies and you don't need a mixer to prepare the dough. Melted butter, more brown sugar than white sugar, and an extra egg yolk guarantee the chewiest chocolate chip cookie texture. I've developed hundreds of cookie recipes over the past decade and this one is still a favorite. They're timeless!

One reader said:

"I don't think I've ever successfully made a choc chip cookie before trying these but had a craving for cookies one night and happened to have all the ingredients….and wow! My husband was shocked at how good they turned out and has already requested a second batch! I'm keeping this recipe forever and never have to look for another. Bonus is melting the butter, I never have patience to wait for butter to soften to room temp!"
- Valerie

April Baking Challenge Update

The April Sally's Baking Challenge recipe is Lemon Blueberry Tart and there are a few days left to participate. See details here.

My team and I publish a new challenge recipe every month on the 1st. Participating is completely optional and just something exciting to add to your month! The May Sally's Baking Challenge recipe will be published on Saturday. Hint: dessert for breakfast. If you love the monthly challenges, make sure you sign up for Sally's Baking Challenge emails (separate from our regular email list) so you never miss a challenge recipe or announcement.

About the Lemon Blueberry Tart, 2 participants said:

"As much as I love to bake, I've never made a tart…until now! Came together pretty quickly with just a little effort. The perfect sweet, yet tart treat. Came out amazing, a keeper for sure! ★★★★★"
- Sarah

"I made this for the April Baking Challenge. It's the first challenge I've been brave enough to try and I was really excited for this one! I've never made a tart but love lemon and blueberry. Boy am I glad I took the leap! This tart is simply delicious! The lemon filling reminds me of lemon pie and the blueberry sauce compliments it perfectly! I can't wait to make this again and try some different berry combinations! ★★★★★"
- Nichole

Here's What You've Been Baking

We love seeing Sally's Baking recipes in your kitchen. (Many readers share recipe photos on our Facebook page & in our Facebook group.)

Angel Food Cupcakes by Mona

Lemon Berry Trifle by Grace

Oatmeal Creme Pies by Christina

Easy Strawberry Shortcake by Victoria

Croissants by Rach

Lemon Poppy Seed Bread by Audrey

And here's what I've been making: Vanilla Almond Snack Bars. These chewy and slightly crisp grain-free bars are a family favorite. They're pretty quick and made from a handful of simple wholesome ingredients. We make the snack bars so often that I created others flavors including chocolate cherry snack bars and berry vanilla cashew snack bars (probably my favorite of them all).

**If you're looking for a nut free bar, we absolutely LOVE these oatmeal raisin granola bars. Simply replace the nut butter with sunflower seed butter.

New Quick Video Tutorials

While we always include detailed step-by-step directions and photos for every new recipe published, we know how helpful it is to watch a recipe come together on video. My team has been updating older recipes with short video tutorials and here's several we produced in April:

Recipe Reviews 🎉

Pineapple Coconut Cake

"This is easily one of the best cakes I've ever made (and tasted for that matter) and is now a new family favorite. The texture is so soft and fluffy, and the pineapple and coconut flavors in this cake are incredible! Although the pineapple curd adds another step, this recipe was very easy to follow and worth every minute to pull it all together. This cake is truly a gem and we will definitely be making it again! Thank you Sally for another amazing cake!"
- Veronica

Sandwich Bread

"Amazing! I've always struggled with baking bread, and I didn't have high expectations due to my own lack of experience. But this loaf came out perfectly! It's so soft and flavorful! I will definitely be making lots more in the future! Thank you for such a great recipe!"
- Rebecca

Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

"Family said these are the best oatmeal cookies they've ever had! Amazing recipe and instructions are detailed and thorough. We've done several versions with chocolate chips, raisins, and dried cranberries and all were fantastic. I love being able to make the cookie dough and refrigerate and then freshly bake a portion when we're ready for them. Thank you!"
- Kristin