Relive the Flavor: Discover the Top 10 Most Loved Recipes of 2018 – A Year of Delicious Culinary Adventures!
As we often do, let’s take a delightful trip down memory lane to celebrate the culinary highlights of a truly exceptional year: 2018. It was a year filled with exciting flavors, new discoveries, and a blossoming community of home cooks. This list, carefully curated from your immense support and engagement, features the ten most popular recipes that captured hearts and taste buds alike. From decadent desserts and comforting baked goods to quick, satisfying main dishes and refreshing beverages, there’s a little something here for everyone. We’re excited to look back and see if your personal favorites made our highly anticipated compilation!
Happy New Year, dear friends! Reflecting on 2018, it truly was a wonderfully delicious and pivotal year for our culinary journey. We were incredibly ambitious, sharing more recipes than ever before—a grand total of 125 unique creations! But perhaps the most exciting development was our venture into the world of savory dishes. For the first time, savory recipes became a regular feature on the blog, and the response was nothing short of overwhelming. Your enthusiasm was palpable, and you embraced these new directions with open arms. And let me tell you, I loved it just as much! This positive feedback has certainly set the tone for 2019, so you can definitely expect more exciting savory content alongside our beloved sweet treats.
Without further ado, join us as we unveil the most cherished and popular recipes from 2018. Each one tells a story of flavor, creativity, and the joy of cooking, making it clear why they became instant classics for so many home chefs. Get ready to rediscover some truly outstanding dishes that defined a fantastic year of food!
Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies— It’s no surprise that these incredible cookies secured a top spot among our most popular recipes. They are, without a doubt, a personal all-time favorite, and for good reason! The magic of brown butter elevates the classic chocolate chip cookie to an entirely new level of deliciousness. Imagine biting into a cookie that’s perfectly soft and gooey in the center, with delightfully crisp edges that offer a satisfying textural contrast. The rich, nutty notes from the browned butter infuse every bite, creating a depth of flavor that’s simply irresistible. These cookies are perfect for any occasion, whether you’re treating yourself after a long day or sharing them with loved ones. They truly embody comfort and gourmet taste in one perfect package, making them a consistently loved sweet treat.
Instant Pot Thai Chicken— The Instant Pot was undeniably a kitchen sensation in 2018, and this recipe perfectly illustrates why. Its inclusion on our most popular list is entirely warranted, showcasing how effortlessly you can create incredibly flavorful meals using this versatile appliance. This easy weeknight dish brings the vibrant and aromatic flavors of authentic Thai cuisine right to your dinner table with minimal effort. Tender chicken, infused with fragrant spices and a savory sauce, makes for a truly satisfying meal that feels special without requiring hours of preparation. It’s the ideal solution for those busy evenings when you crave something exotic yet quick, proving that delicious home-cooked meals are always within reach, even on the busiest of days.
Best Buttermilk Waffles— For years, I’ve been perfecting this buttermilk waffle recipe, and I can confidently say, they are indeed the very best! The secret ingredient—which you likely already have in your pantry—transforms these waffles into a golden-brown masterpiece. They boast an irresistibly crisp exterior that yields to a wonderfully light and cakey interior. This perfect balance of textures, combined with the subtle tang of buttermilk, makes for an unforgettable breakfast or brunch experience. Whether topped with fresh fruit, syrup, or a dollop of whipped cream, these waffles elevate any morning into a special occasion. They’re quick enough for a weekend treat but impressive enough for holiday brunches, proving that sometimes, the simplest pleasures are truly the most profound.
Tin Can Margaritas— Hosting a gathering should be about enjoying your company, not stressing over cocktail preparation. That’s precisely why these Tin Can Margaritas became a fan favorite. There is simply no easier, more efficient way to serve a large batch of delicious cocktails to a crowd. Forget individual mixing; this recipe allows you to prepare a vibrant, zesty margarita in bulk, ensuring everyone’s glass is full and spirits are high. It’s the perfect solution for summer parties, holiday get-togethers, or simply when you’re inviting a few extra friends over. If “invite more friends over for drinks” is on your list of New Year’s resolutions, this recipe is your ultimate companion for making those festive moments effortlessly enjoyable and utterly delicious!
Best Ever Fruit Salad— Elevating a simple fruit salad from ordinary to extraordinary is an art, and this recipe masters it with just a few clever additions. What might start as a basic bowl of fruit is transformed into an elegant, vibrant side dish that perfectly complements any meal or occasion. The carefully chosen extra ingredients enhance the natural sweetness and freshness of the fruits, adding a layer of sophisticated flavor and visual appeal that’s truly captivating. This fruit salad is an absolute showstopper, making it ideal for brunches, baby showers, bridal parties, and all sorts of holiday celebrations. It’s a testament to how a little creativity can turn a familiar dish into something truly memorable and utterly delicious.
Sugar Cookie Bars— Who doesn’t love the festive charm and nostalgic taste of sugar cookies? But let’s be honest, the chilling, rolling, and cutting out of individual cookies can be quite time-consuming. Enter the Sugar Cookie Bars – a revelation for anyone who adores the taste of classic sugar cookies but prefers a much simpler, faster approach! This recipe eliminates all the tedious steps, allowing you to whip up a large batch of soft, chewy sugar cookie goodness in a fraction of the time. Topped with a luscious buttercream frosting, these bars are not only incredibly easy to make but also perfect for feeding a crowd. They’re ideal for bake sales, parties, or just a sweet treat at home, delivering all the classic flavor with none of the fuss.
Steak Fettuccine Alfredo— Sometimes, the best dinner plans are the ones that keep you cozy at home, and this Steak Fettuccine Alfredo recipe makes staying in look incredibly appealing. This dish redefines convenience without compromising on flavor or elegance. Featuring only six key ingredients, it transforms a simple weeknight into a gourmet experience, all ready in just about 30 minutes! Imagine tender, perfectly cooked steak slices nestled amongst creamy, rich fettuccine Alfredo – it’s a restaurant-quality meal you can effortlessly create in your own kitchen. Perfect for a romantic dinner for two or a luxurious treat for yourself, this recipe proves that quick and easy can also be undeniably delicious and deeply satisfying.
Whipped Vanilla Buttercream Frosting— Every baker needs a go-to frosting recipe in their arsenal, and this Whipped Vanilla Buttercream Frosting quickly became a favorite for countless readers in 2018—and for good reason! This isn’t just any frosting; it’s an unbelievably light, fluffy, and perfectly creamy creation that enhances any dessert it graces. Its rich vanilla flavor and ethereal texture are so “CRAZY good” that once you try it, you’ll understand why it’s a staple in so many kitchens. In fact, if you browse through our site, you’ll frequently spot this versatile frosting adorning many of our cakes, cupcakes, and cookies. It’s the ultimate finishing touch that guarantees a professional and delicious result every single time.
Sheet Pan Pizza— Friday night pizza is a cherished tradition in many households, and in 2018, we finally unveiled our family’s much-loved Sheet Pan Pizza recipe to the world! This recipe is a game-changer for homemade pizza night, simplifying the process without sacrificing any of the deliciousness. The beauty of a sheet pan allows for a wonderfully crisp crust and easy customization with everyone’s favorite toppings, making it a perfect fit for family meals or casual gatherings. It transforms pizza night from a labor of love into a fun, effortless event where everyone can get involved. If a regular, hassle-free pizza night isn’t already a staple in your weekly menu rotation, it’s definitely time to embrace this fantastic method. It’s an invitation to create lasting memories over universally adored, perfectly baked pizza.
Coconut Cream Lime Cake— This stunning Coconut Cream Lime Cake stands out as one of the year’s most memorable baking triumphs. Originally crafted for my husband’s birthday, it quickly became one of my personal favorite creations of 2018, and it’s easy to see why. The exquisite combination of bright, zesty lime and rich, creamy coconut creates a flavor profile that is truly unparalleled. Each delicate layer of cake, infused with these tropical essences and enrobed in a sublime frosting, delivers a refreshing yet indulgent experience. This cake is a celebration in itself, perfect for special occasions, summer gatherings, or whenever you crave a dessert that perfectly balances sweet, tart, and utterly delicious notes. It truly cannot be beat and promises to be a showstopper on any dessert table!
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping to make 2018 such an unforgettable year filled with culinary joy and shared deliciousness. Your support, enthusiasm, and willingness to try new recipes are what truly inspire us to keep creating and sharing. As we close the chapter on this wonderful year, we raise a toast to a happy, healthy, and even more delicious 2019! May your kitchens be filled with laughter, your tables with good food, and your lives with abundant joy.
For those who love a nostalgic culinary journey, be sure to revisit our most popular recipes from previous years. It’s a fantastic way to rediscover old favorites and see how our tastes have evolved! Take a little trip down memory lane with these beloved collections:
- 2017’s Top Recipes
- 2016’s Most Popular Dishes
- Favorite Recipes of 2015
- The Best of 2014
- Top Posts from 2013
- 12 Favorite Recipes of 2012
- My Favorite Recipes of 2011
- Favorites from 2010