It’s no coincidence that Anna Olson’s most popular recipes are some of our most popular recipes of all time. Our resident baking expert knows a thing or two about making the very best sweet treats. From her game-changing chocolate chip cookie recipe (once you discover her secrets for success, you’ll never go back) to her maple syrup-drenched sticky buns, these are the kind of desserts you’ll dream of. Read on for Anna Olson’s most popular recipes ever.
Want to bake along with Anna Olson live? Join her on our YouTube live on Thursday, September 19 at 3PM EST where Anna will be baking her delicious fudgy brownies!
Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies
Anna Olson’s most popular recipe also happens to be our most popular cookie recipe ever, so you know these chocolate chip cookies are downright amazing. Anna’s signature recipe has two secrets for success: the addition of cornstarch guarantees a soft-centred cookie, and she chills the cookies before baking to ensure they’re uniform and don’t spread too much while baking.
Watch Anna make the cookies in real-time on her YouTube Live here.
Classic Banana Bread
Leave it to Anna to come up with the perfect banana bread recipe! Add this go-to banana bread recipe to your bookmarks and return to it every time you get the craving. This moist loaf is studded with chocolate chips and chopped walnuts for a little extra oomph that’ll have you going back for more.
Related: How To Make The Best Banana Pudding
Pecan Butter Tarts
It’s hard to find a dessert more Canadian than a butter tart, so it comes as no surprise that Canada’s resident baking queen would have the very best recipe for them. Anna uses pecans in this recipe, but you can easily swap in raisins or leave the butter tarts plain if you prefer.
Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Who says carrot cake is only for Easter? Anna’s moist and fluffy version of this classic cake is perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a birthday, a weekend brunch or just because.
Related: Sticky Toffee Carrot Cake Puddings
Classic Cinnamon Sticky Buns
Say hello to the perfect cinnamon bun recipe. Ooey gooey and perfectly sweet, these fluffy buns are filled with a cinnamon and brown sugar, then baked in a maple syrup, brown sugar and butter “goo” that’s so delightful. Anna also includes instructions for preparing these in advance so that you can enjoy them first thing in the morning without all the work.
Related: Cinnamon Bun Grilled Cheese is the Mashup of Your Dreams
Fluffy Baked Lemon Doughnuts
Making donuts at home is easier than you think — especially when you follow Anna’s straightforward recipe for these light and airy baked lemon donuts! All you need is a donut baking tin to achieve that classic donut shape, and be sure to preheat the oven fully so the donuts can properly rise and be perfectly round and fluffy.
Decorated Cut-Out Sugar Cookies
Whether you’re making custom cookies for a birthday party or prepping for the holiday baking season, Anna’s well-tested cut-out sugar cookie recipe makes for the perfect base. The sugar cookie dough is easy to roll and holds its shape once cut and baked, and the simple royal icing has the perfect ratio for decorating, holding up well for piping, flooding and setting firmly.
Giant Glazed Cinnamon Bun
Planning for a cozy cottage weekend or hosting a brunch at home? This show-stopping giant cinnamon bun is sure to impress. The rich dough is filled with a cinnamon-brown sugar filling, baked to golden perfection and then drizzled with a simple vanilla glaze. Slice it into wedges and serve!
Related: Baklava French Toast Bake
Pink Lemonade Cupcakes
These pretty cupcakes will be the star of any dessert table. Topped with colourful buttercream swirls of pink, yellow and white frosting, they taste as beautiful as they look. Zippy lemon juice and zest is baked into the batter and whipped into the frosting for the most scrumptious sweet-tart combination.
Gluten-Free Strawberry and Pistachio Meringue Torte
Don’t be intimidated by this sophisticated French dessert: Anna’s foolproof recipe breaks down each step and makes for the ultimate dinner party or special occasion dessert. Layers of pistachio meringue are sandwiched with strawberries and cream, making for a light and sweet combination that is so craveworthy.
Related: A Foolproof Pavlova (Yes, Really!)