Best of 2018 – Reader Favorites

Happy New Year! I know, I know. The new year started weeks ago and here I am, more than a little late to 2019. I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and are ready to kick off another new year. Personally I like to start each year with a little reflection and some goal setting. Even though it sounds cliché, this is something I’ve been doing for years now so it seems very natural to me, but I completely get it’s not for everyone. I think the start of each new year is a great time to refocus on what matters to you most – health, relationships with family and friends, career, work-life balance, faith, finances – whatever that may be! Is goal setting something you do? I really love this goal setting series for anyone who’s interested but not sure where to start.

While I’m anxious to see everything that 2019 has in store, I think it’s fun to see what you were digging last year. I’ve pulled the stats from our 1100+ posts to find the ones you loved the most in 2018. Based on your page views and comments…. we’re taking a look back at the most popular posts from the last year, starting at Number 10 and counting our way down to the most popular post at the Number 1 spot. It looks like fresh flavors were big again this last year with a fruit based recipes reigning supreme yet again.  Let’s take a look…

10 ) KEY LIME CUPCAKES
Light, fluffy cupcakes full of key lime flavor! With lime juice and zest, topped with a tangy sweet lime frosting and graham cracker crumbs. Recipe by Lindsay Conchar.

YOU SAID: “Amazing Key Lime Cupcakes!!! Recipe was perfect as written, silky soft cupcakes, in a very good way!! Thanks!!!” — Denise

9 )  BLACKBERRY LIME CAKE
Tender cake infused with lime zest, frosted with blackberry buttercream, topped with fresh blackberries and edible flowers. Recipe by Carrie Sellman.

YOU SAID: “Just made this for my sons birthday party… The cake was so smooth and moist. This is also my first time making Swiss buttercream and it was sooooooo goooooood. Very happy with the way it came out! One of my guests said it was the best birthday cake she had ever had! Fun recipe, thoroughly enjoyed making and eating!” — Patrice

8 ) CHOCOLATE TULIP CAKE
How to make gorgeous tulip cake decorations using melted chocolate and a plastic spoon! Tutorial by Erin Gardner.

YOU SAID: “Stunning love the use of a spoon to make those petals, clever you!” — Fiona

7 )  LEMON LAVENDER CUPCAKES
Easy lemon cupcakes with lavender buttercream frosting, topped with lavender flowers and fresh lemon slices. Recipe by Lindsay Conchar.

YOU SAID: “I just made these for my best friend’s birthday and we LOVED them. The cake is so light and fluffy!” — Vicki

6 )  GIANT DONUT CAKE
How to make an adorable, sprinkle-coated, giant donut cake that’s perfect for birthday parties, no matter your age. Tutorial by Cakegirls.

YOU SAID: “Hi! I used your tutorial to make this giant donut cake for my baby girl’s Dinos and Donuts 2nd birthday party, and it turned out absolutely fantastic!” — Sophia

5 )  CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE CAKE
A decadent recipe with dense, moist chocolate cake, silky chocolate truffle frosting and chocolate flakes.

YOU SAID: “Made this cake last summer for a small garden party – it was absolutely delicious, this is now one of my “bestie” cake recipes. Thank you.” — Pauline

4 ) HOW TO BUILD A CAKE LIKE A PRO
How to level, split and fill a layer cake like a pro. Tutorial by Erin Gardner.

YOU SAID: “Before reading this article, I would have never thought about ensuring that the filling is all done without bulging. I like frosting to be soft so that it is easier to spread. Next time I am making a layered cake, I’ll be sure to try and see what happens if I chill the frosting first.” — Michael Lee

3 )  BAKING TEMPERATURE COMPARISON
A side-by-side comparison of different baking temperatures, highlighting why an accurate oven temperature actually matters! Baking experiment by Summer Stone.

YOU SAID: “This information is so wonderful and just what I have been looking for to help me bake better. I love the science and pictures. You are a great teacher.” — Shirlee

2 )  LEMON POPPYSEED CAKE

A tender layer cake recipe brightened with lemon juice, lemon zest and poppy seeds, frosted with a tangy sweet lemon cream cheese frosting. Recipe by Carrie Sellman.

YOU SAID: “I am new at this baking thing and I must say your recipe was a success! My layers were perfect and the taste was spot on. I’ve tried several Lemon cakes and they have not been successful. Now I’m looking forward to trying your Blueberry Lemon …sounds yummy! Thanks so much” — Linda

1 )  LEMON BLUEBERRY CAKE
A tender layer cake recipe brightened with lemon juice, lemon zest and wild blueberries, frosted with a tangy sweet lemon cream cheese frosting. Recipe by Carrie Sellman.

YOU SAID: “My daughter’s 24th birthday was yesterday, and she requested that I make your lemon blueberry cake. Well, it was to die for. I think it was the best cake I’ve ever baked. It looked beautiful with the three layers, and tasted wonderfully tangy, but not too sweet. She brought the leftovers to work this morning, and everyone raved about it. It truly was your recipe, not my baking, that drew the compliments. Thank you for sharing your recipe.” — Rochelle