16 Years of Life in the Lofthouse: 16 Favorite Recipes

Celebrate 16 years of Life in the Lofthouse with 16 of my favorite recipes! From family dinners and holiday favorites to incredible desserts, these are recipes worth repeating!

Today is a very special day here at Life in the Lofthouse—it’s my blog’s 16th birthday! 🎉

Sixteen years ago, I started this little corner of the internet simply because I loved sharing good food. I had no idea then just how much this blog would become a part of my life, or how many recipes, memories, family dinners, and wonderful readers would come along with it.

Over the years, there have been recipes that have come and gone, recipes that became reader favorites, and quite a few that became staples around my own table. So to celebrate 16 years of Life in the Lofthouse, I thought it would be fun to look back and share 16 of my favorite recipes from the years.

And let me tell you… choosing just 16 was HARD! I have so many recipes that I love and have made over and over again, but these are some of the ones that hold an especially special place in my heart.

Some are longtime favorites that have been on the blog for years, some are family traditions, and some are recipes I find myself making again and again simply because they’re really, really good.

So grab a cup of coffee, take a little walk down memory lane with me, and let’s celebrate 16 years of good food, family, and Life in the Lofthouse! ❤️

16 Favorite Recipes from 16 Years of Life in the Lofthouse

1. Lunch Lady Brownies

If there is one thing I’ve learned after 16 years of blogging, it’s that some recipes just never go out of style. These Lunch Lady Brownies are one of those recipes. They’re rich, fudgy, chocolatey, and covered with that irresistible chocolate frosting. They’re the kind of treat that always disappears fast!

2. Loaded Baked Potato Soup

This Loaded Baked Potato Soup is pure comfort food. It’s creamy, hearty, loaded with potatoes and all the delicious toppings you would want on a baked potato. It’s one of those recipes I love making when I want a cozy dinner that everyone at the table will be happy about.

3. Red and White Pasta

This one is especially close to my heart because it’s my kids’ favorite, and I make it every Christmas Eve. ❤️ It’s become one of those recipes that isn’t just dinner anymore, it’s part of our family’s Christmas memories. And those are the recipes I treasure most.

4. Slow Cooker Bacon Cheeseburger Soup

Take all the flavors of a bacon cheeseburger and turn them into a warm, cozy bowl of soup and you get this favorite! This soup is packed with flavor, so filling, and every one loves it!

5. Perfect Cinnamon Rolls

There are few things better than homemade cinnamon rolls, especially when they’re warm from the oven. These have been a longtime favorite of mine and are exactly the kind of recipe that makes your kitchen smell amazing and has everyone wandering in to see what’s baking.

6. Teriyaki Chicken Casserole

This is one of those family dinners that has everything I love in a recipe: it’s simple to make, full of flavor, and something the whole family can enjoy. The sweet and savory teriyaki flavor makes this casserole a regular favorite.

7. Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken

I love a good easy dinner, and this Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken is such a winner. It’s crispy, flavorful, and comes together without a lot of fuss. It’s a great example of the kind of family-friendly recipe I love sharing here at Life in the Lofthouse.

8. Crock Pot Creamy Mashed Potatoes

I don’t think a holiday table is complete without mashed potatoes, and these Crock Pot Creamy Mashed Potatoes is my go-to recipe! The slow cooker does the work while you get to focus on everything else. This is one of those recipes you’ll want to keep handy for every holiday dinner.

9. Crock Pot Turkey and Gravy

Speaking of holiday dinners, this Crock Pot Turkey and Gravy is another recipe that has earned a special place on my favorites list. Tender turkey, delicious gravy, and the convenience of the slow cooker. It really is an amazing recipe!

10. White Texas Sheet Cake

This is the kind of dessert that makes me nostalgic. It’s simple, old-fashioned, and SO good. There’s something about a sheet cake that feels like the kind of dessert you can put on the table for a crowd and know everyone is going to grab a piece.

11. Shredded Apple Pie

This shredded apple pie will always have a special place in my heart. The original recipe comes from Rococos steakhouse, where I worked many moons ago. The owners gave me permission to share it here on my website and I am forever grateful. (Thank you, Mitzi!) You’ll never want regular apple pie again after trying this version.

12. Perfect Pot Roast

A good pot roast is the definition of comfort food to me. Tender meat, hearty vegetables, and all those delicious juices coming together in one cozy meal. This is the kind of dinner that makes everyone want to linger around the table just a little longer.

13. Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies

I have made a LOT of cookies over the years, but this Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies recipe is the one I keep coming back to. They’re soft, chewy, loaded with chocolate chips, and the kind of cookie that makes it nearly impossible to eat only one.

14. Easy No-Knead Artisan Bread

Fresh homemade bread doesn’t have to be complicated, and this recipe proves it. I love that you can make beautiful, crusty artisan bread without spending forever kneading dough. It’s such a satisfying recipe to have in your back pocket.

15. Dad’s Tacos

This recipe is another one that makes this list feel especially personal. My Dad made these tacos all the time when I was a kid. They are a reminder that some of the very best recipes aren’t fancy, they’re the ones your family asks you to make again and again. These are simple, delicious, and full of that homemade, family-dinner feeling I love so much.

16. Tuscan Garlic Chicken Pasta

And we’re ending this list with one of my favorite kinds of meals: a big, comforting bowl of pasta! This Tuscan Garlic Chicken Pasta is creamy, flavorful, and packed with tender chicken. It’s the kind of dinner that feels special enough for a weekend but is still easy enough to make for the family.

Thank You for 16 Wonderful Years ❤️

Sixteen years.

It’s honestly hard for me to believe that I’ve been sharing recipes here for that long. When I started Life in the Lofthouse, I could never have imagined the journey it would become.

This blog has been so much more than a place to share recipes. It has been a place where I’ve documented family memories, celebrated holidays, shared countless dinners, and connected with so many of you along the way.

And you are the reason Life in the Lofthouse is still here.

Thank you for every recipe you’ve made, every kind comment you’ve left, every email you’ve sent, every time you’ve shared a recipe with a friend, and every time you’ve invited one of my recipes to your family’s dinner table.

Thank you for being here through all the seasons of Life in the Lofthouse.

I have so many more recipes I love, so choosing just 16 was definitely not easy! But these 16 felt like the perfect way to celebrate this milestone and look back at some of the recipes that have made this journey so special.

Here’s to 16 years of Life in the Lofthouse—and to many more recipes, memories, and good food to come!

Life’s too short for bad food. Eat up! ❤️

Thank you for being here. –Holly xo