Top Recipes of 2018

Happy New Year everybody. I’m starting off 2019 with a quick look back at the ten most popular recipes published on LittleSugarSnaps last year. I start every year like this. It’s a good way to take stock of what my readers have enjoyed the most, so I can work out what I’m going to work on presenting over the year ahead.

I set out to be more varied in the recipes I presented in 2018 and made a massive effort to serve up more than just regular cupcakes and layer cakes. I certainly stuck to that plan. I succeeded in presenting several gluten-free and vegan bakes, some more adventurous cakes, an army of desserts plus the occasional savoury treat. Early on in the year, I also decided to work on a series of gin recipes. That was evidently a good move since gin features (ahem) three times in my top ten star performers.

What has surprised me most this year is finding that half of my top 10 recipes are boozy. What can I say, I like to party. And it would seem I am not alone there. Other than that, I am thrilled to see a savoury recipe and one of my vegan cakes lurking around the top too.

If you’re following me on social media, then you’ll probably have spotted several of these recipes already. If you’re new here, you can follow along on Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Flipboard |or simply sign up to get my new recipes via email. That way you’ll never miss out.

New recipes and my thoughts on what is to come on LittleSugarSnaps during 2019 are on their way soon, but for now, sit back and enjoy the top recipes from 2018.

1 Harry Potter Sorting Hat Cupcakes with Butterbeer Frosting 

Taking top spot for the most popular recipe published in 2018 are these delightful cakes. Adored by my daughters and their friends, each cake hides a Hogwarts house colour inside. They are immensely fun as well as rather tasty. I’m already scheduled to make then at least once this year.

2 Summer Gin & Tonic with Elderflower & Lemon

This recipe swam into my head as I was watching Harry and Meghan tie the knot (I’m never shy of jumping on the bandwagon). If zesty & floral libations are your bag, ensure you’re ready to pull this drink together for summer 2019.

3 Aperol Tequila Twist

Taking a break from the gin, I’m delighted to see this tasty little number nestled amongst the stars. It’s one of my personal favourite boozy creations.

4 Cheesy Vegetable Potato Pie

This has been a longstanding family favourite. Packed with wholesome veggies all snuggled in a creamy, cheesy sauce, hiding under a velvety potato duvet. This is pure comfort food. I don’t know what took me so long to publish the recipe.

5 No-Bake Mint Chocolate Fridge Cake

My kids are begging me to make this treat again soon. Like me, they don’t particularly like the idea of a healthy January. At least this no-bake can be served in small chunks and keeps well in the fridge for a while.

6 Winter Bramble (and various other G&T creations)

Oh, this drink. Laden with a cosy hit of sweet cinnamon and star anise spice, this sipper was destined to feature somewhere on the list of hits.

7 Black Forest Chocolate Liqueur

Like the Winter Bramble, this is another recipe that was published late in the year but proved very popular, very quickly. It’s not hard to understand why given there’s chocolate, cherry and alcohol involved.

8 Spring Gin & Tonic with Passionfruit and Pineapple

Modern Gin & Tonic drinks can take many forms. The days of G&Ts served in highball glasses garnished with a slice of lemon are long gone and I, for one, am delighted by that. My spring version has fruit blended directly into the drink. It’s really a joyful celebration and re-invention of the classic drink.

9 Amaretto Cherry Jam

Should I have included this in the booze count? Probably. What could be better than the bold flavour of cherry mixed with a subtle hint of almondy liqueur in your jam? So perfect for filling a Victoria Sponge along with the cream.

10 Vegan Elderflower & Lemon Cupcakes

I was initially intimidated by the idea of vegan baking, but I’m glad I set myself this challenge. These cakes, a riff on a certain Royal Wedding cake, were my first vegan baking recipe to be published. Having got over my fears, I’m going to stick with slipping in recipes for vegan and gluten-free treat-seekers every so often.

And that’s it. The top 10 recipes published on LittleSugarSnaps in 2018, as voted for by you, my valued readers. Later this year, LittleSugarSnaps turns five. At that point, I’m planning on revealing the all-time top ten recipes I’ve published. But until then, it’s on with the show. I’m going off-piste next week with a recipe so healthy it’s almost virtuous. Fear not, though, it is of course extremely tasty.