Readers' choice: Top 10 all-time favorite recipes

We get all kinds of visitors from around the Web dropping by our virtual Stir It Up! kitchen to check out our blogger recipes. Sometimes some of those recipes, for whatever reasons, draw large crowds who just keep coming back for seconds.

Here's a list of the most popular recipes from Stir It Up! since we first launched in 2009.

King Cake Bars for Mardi Gras

Parmesan garlic grilled asparagus

Mardi Gras recipe: crawfish cornbread

Julia Child’s beef bourguignon

Easy, moist (vegan) chocolate cupcakes

The lazy man’s way to pickles: Fresh dill pickles need no canning

How to make cake pops

Meatless Monday: Stuffed portobello mushrooms

Civil War recipes: Hardtack crackers and Confederate Johnny cake

Soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies

The Gourmand Mom
Delicious beef bourguignon served over hot-buttered noodles.

1. King Cake Bars for Mardi Gras

The Runaway Spoon
King Cake bars make a great dessert for a Mardi Gras party, and would pack up beautifully to carry to a parade-viewing spot.

By Perre Coleman MagnessThe Runaway Spoon

Makes about 15 bars

For the Crust:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup (2 sticks) cold butter
6 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons milk

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  Spray a 9- x 13-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray.

2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, mix the flour and sugar. Drop in the butter cubes and beat on low speed until the mixture is crumbly and looks a bit like wet sand.  Add the milk and beat until it starts to stick together. Sprinkle the mixture into the prepared baking dish and press it in to form an even layer, making sure there are no holes or gaps.

For the Filling:

2 (8-ounce) blocks cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Wipe out the mixer bowl and rinse and dry the paddle. Beat the filling ingredients together until completely smooth. Spread the filling evenly over the prepared crust. Bake the bars for 20 – 25 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the filling is set.

For the Glaze:

1 cup confectioners’ sugar
2 tablespoon milk
Colored sanding sugar or sprinkles (purple, green and gold)

While the bars are cooking, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar and milk until completely smooth. As soon as you remove the bars from the oven, spread the glaze in an even layer across the top.  Immediately decorate with sanding sugar.  Leave the bars to cool completely, then slice.

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