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Sugar & Sparrow

Lifestyle and Cake from Portland Oregon

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Sugar & Sparrow is 3!

May 17, 2021 · In: Featured, Lifestyle

My blog baby is three! In some ways it seems like only yesterday that I got up the nerve to launch Sugar & Sparrow. I was so anxious to do it – what if no one read my posts? What if my recipes didn’t work for other people? What if it’s just an epic failure? Somehow I pushed through my anxiety and hit the publish button, and here we are three years later. I have learned so much and this past year wasn’t exactly the easiest (for anybody), but I’m still here thinking of cake ideas and playing with buttercream. 

pink birthday cake with watercolor buttercream by sugar and sparrow
sugar and sparrow birthday cake

This past year was one of big changes. Not only are we still dragging through this global pandemic and dealing with all of the anxiety that comes along with it, but I became a new mom in the midst of it all. Nowadays my son is very mobile, which takes things to a whole new level of fun and exhaustion. I feel so lucky to get to stay home with him and not miss a single thing – his first words (ā€œdadaā€ and ā€œall doneā€ and “hi” and absolutely no sign of ā€œmamaā€ yet!), pulling to stand on everything, rolling and crawling like a little ninja, eating solid foods (which he can’t get enough of), first wave, all the things. Unlike cake, babies don’t keep and I am constantly trying to soak up every bit of who he is in the current stage before he changes everything up on me and evolves into a totally different baby, which truly seems to happen overnight. 

Thankfully, he loves being in the kitchen with me. But he’s also getting faster at sticking his chubby little hands into whatever I’m working on, so it’s getting harder to tote him around with me while I’m working these days. Here’s the sweetest video of us testing recipes from a few months ago though: 

Aside from becoming a mom to this very ambitious boy, I launched my Cake Basics series last year – something I had dreamed about since the beginning of Sugar & Sparrow. If you have yet to check it out, it’s an ongoing series of blog posts and YouTube videos that walk you through all the very basics of cake making. So far, I’ve shown how to build a cake from start to finish, created some recipe videos for my essential faves (Vanilla Cake, Chocolate Cake, and Vanilla Buttercream), and I’ve got way more ideas up my sleeve. I have such a heart for helping people make beautiful cakes, so it’s one of my favorite things in the world when I hear that these Cake Basics tutorials have been helpful. Stay tuned for more in year four! 

pink watercolor birthday cake
pink watercolor buttercream cake

Other things to come this year: more cake recipes and decorating tutorials (as always!), making my son’s first birthday cake (something I’ve always dreamed of!), and doing a giant kitchen remodel (VERY exciting!). Although I feel like I’m in a constant state of trying to find a good rhythm with life and cake, even more so as a new mom, I’ve got a big long list of ideas that I’m excited about and it’s keeping my creativity alive. Thanks for sticking with me and following along every step of the way. Let me know in the comments if there’s anything in particular you want to see from me this year!

By: Whitney Ā· In: Featured, Lifestyle Ā· Tagged: 3 year anniversary, anniversary cake, pink cake, pink watercolor cake, sugar and sparrow, watercolor buttercream

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Comments

  1. Sheri says

    May 17, 2021 at 9:45 am

    Happy 3rd Birthday Sugar and Sparrow! I absolutely love your work and has been a huge inspiration to me. After testing many recipes your vanilla cake is the one I use. It’s magnificent. Thank you for creating and sharing your cake magic Whitney!

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      May 17, 2021 at 7:40 pm

      Thanks so much, Sheri! I’m so happy to hear that you love my vanilla cake recipe! That is so encouraging šŸ™‚

      Reply
  2. Caryn Ogle says

    May 17, 2021 at 10:05 am

    Happy 3rd Birthday!!! I’m so excited for you and all that this next year has in store. Thanks so much for sharing your amazing skills here! You’re inspiring!!

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      May 17, 2021 at 7:40 pm

      Thanks so much for cheering me on, Caryn! You are so kind!

      Reply
  3. Brenda says

    May 17, 2021 at 11:55 am

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUGAR & SPARROW
    The amount of times I’ve used this blog for help, inspiration, tips !! Thank you for sharing all your hard work!

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      May 17, 2021 at 7:41 pm

      Yay, Brenda! That makes me so happy! Thanks for taking the time to let me know and cheer me on!

      Reply
  4. Tamara Marji says

    May 17, 2021 at 1:31 pm

    Happy birthday

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      May 17, 2021 at 7:41 pm

      Thanks so much, Tamara!

      Reply
  5. Claudia says

    May 17, 2021 at 1:38 pm

    Congratulations on your 3 years and your baby! I have a 1 year old and another one on the way and in the midst of it all I started selling cakes which has been great following your recipes has helped my cake business a ton and just learning from you has been a major impact in my life. Thank you for putting yourself and knowledge out there! I appreciate everything that you do. Enjoy your mom journey, they change on you so quickly (not crying)!

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      May 17, 2021 at 7:45 pm

      Thanks so much, Claudia! I am so thrilled to hear that my recipes have been helpful for your cake business and honestly in awe of you balancing motherhood and pregnancy and cake life! You are amazing. I’m cheering you on and excited for what’s ahead šŸ™‚

      Reply
  6. Julianna says

    May 17, 2021 at 3:26 pm

    Congrats on year 3! So thankful for your blog. I would LOVE to see tips and advice on starting a cake blog. I feel like it’s really scary and it’s hard to know where to begin and what it requires.

    Can’t wait to keep staying connected to your blog/videos šŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      May 17, 2021 at 7:47 pm

      Thanks so much, Julianna! What a fun topic! I will totally add that to my list because YES it was totally scary to start and I wouldn’t have done it without the encouragement from my husband (and a lot of his graphic design help) and advice from A Beautiful Mess. They have a lot to say about how to start and run a successful blog, so check them out in the meantime until I can get a post up: https://abeautifulmess.com/how-to-start-your-blog-with-a-bang/

      Reply
  7. Linda says

    May 17, 2021 at 9:34 pm

    Happy 3 years to blog and congrats to being mum. Looking forward to more.

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      May 20, 2021 at 9:30 am

      Thank you so much, Linda!

      Reply
  8. Gabriela says

    May 18, 2021 at 12:49 pm

    Congratulations on these 3 years and for your advice and inspiration. I have followed you for some time and I have learned to be a better pastry chef!

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      May 20, 2021 at 9:31 am

      That’s so wonderful to hear, Gabriela! I’m so happy to help and inspire! Thanks for cheering me on šŸ™‚

      Reply
  9. Joann Fields says

    May 19, 2021 at 5:51 pm

    Happy Happy Happy Third Birthday. I love all your posts, your tutorials and photos. You have been my biggest inspiration.

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      May 20, 2021 at 9:33 am

      Thank you so much, Joann! That is so kind and I’m happy to hear you’ve been inspired šŸ™‚

      Reply
  10. CecĆ­lia says

    May 21, 2021 at 4:06 pm

    Happy birthday to your blog and congratulations on that beautiful boy! Greetings from Portugal!

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      May 21, 2021 at 8:30 pm

      Thank you so much!!

      Reply
  11. Denise says

    May 24, 2021 at 6:43 pm

    Happy Belated 3rd Birthday.

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      May 24, 2021 at 8:25 pm

      Thanks so much, Denise!

      Reply

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BANANA BISCOFF CARAMEL CAKE šŸŒšŸŽ‚ these flavors BANANA BISCOFF CARAMEL CAKE šŸŒšŸŽ‚ these flavors are so warm and cozy together: layers of my favorite extra-moist banana cake, Biscoff cookie butter frosting, gooey salted caramel, and crushed Biscoff crumbs. Top it with a salted caramel drip + a Biscoff sprinkled buttercream rope border to go the extra mile. It’ll be worth it imo! ✨ ⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣
This is one of four EXTRA EXCLUSIVE bonus recipes you’ll get when you preorder my book, Anyone Can Cake! Click the ā€œAnyone Can Cake: Bonus Recipesā€ link in my bio for all the info ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
#biscoffcakeĀ #lotusbiscoff #bananacake Ā #saltedcaramelĀ #caramelcakeĀ #buttercreamĀ #bakedfromscratchĀ #frostingĀ #bananacaramelĀ #bakeĀ #anyonecancakeĀ #cakesofinstagramĀ #cakeĀ #layercakeĀ #cakedecorating
4-INGREDIENT OREO TRUFFLES ✨These bite-sized no- 4-INGREDIENT OREO TRUFFLES ✨These bite-sized no-bake desserts are completely irresistible, super easy to make, and perfect for Valentine’s Day (or any day!)⁣
⁣
OREO TRUFFLES⁣
Yield: 30⁣
⁣⁣
INGREDIENTS⁣⁣
36 Oreo cookies⁣⁣
8 Oz cream cheese, brick-style not the spread⁣⁣
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract⁣⁣
10 Oz (284g) Ghirardelli melting wafers (dark, milk, or white chocolate)⁣⁣
⁣⁣
INSTRUCTIONS⁣⁣
1. Place the Oreo cookies into a food processor and pulse into fine crumbs.⁣⁣
2. In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (a hand mixer works fine too!), beat the cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Set aside 2 Tablespoons of the Oreo cookie crumbs, then add the rest to the cream cheese. Add the vanilla and mix on low speed until well combined.⁣⁣
3. Roll the Oreo mixture into 1 inch balls and place on a lined baking sheet. Freeze for at least 15 minutes.⁣⁣
4. Coat the Oreo balls with @ghirardelli melting wafers or tempered chocolate. Garnish with cookie crumbs immediately after coating, while the chocolate is still wet.⁣⁣
5. Serve after the chocolate coating has set or store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Full recipe is linked in my bio! ✨⁣⁣
⁣⁣
#oreos #truffles #chocolate #chocolatelover #nobake #oreo #baking #dessert #bakersofinstagram #easydessert #bakinglove #bakedfromscratch
TODAY! Watch me make this pretty pink ombrĆ© funfe TODAY! Watch me make this pretty pink ombrĆ© funfetti cake from the cover of my book LIVE on @talkshoplive at 12PM PT/3PM ET 🄳 I’ll be chatting all about Anyone Can Cake and answering all your questions while I decorate, so don’t miss it! You can even grab a SIGNED COPY of the book while you’re there ā™„ļø livestream link is in my bio + Story and I can’t wait to connect with you all šŸ«¶šŸ½ ⁣
⁣
#funfetti #funfetticake #ombrecake #pinkcake #cakedecorating #anyonecancake #cakeideas #cakeart #sprinkles #bakingfun #bake #cakesofinstagram #cake #ombre #buttercreamcake #frosting
We have another little chef joining us early this We have another little chef joining us early this summer! Theo keeps calling it ā€œbaby sisā€ and we are so excited to see if he’s right in just a couple weeks 🄳⁣
⁣
PS I had to bribe Theo with an Oreo to take a photo with the ultrasound pics + then he just stuffed them into his dinosaur’s mouth so I think he’s off to a good start as big bro šŸ˜†ā£
⁣
#pregnancyannouncement #motherhood #bakersofinstagram #pregnant #19weekspregnant #toddlermom #blogger #bloggersofinstagram #mama #littlechef #bakinglove #baking
This Raspberry Buttercream (recipe below!) šŸ˜ā™„ This Raspberry Buttercream (recipe below!) šŸ˜ā™„ļø I LOVE using freeze dried raspberries for the most authentic flavor + just look at that natural color! It’s silky smooth, ideal for decorating cakes and cupcakes, and perfect for your Valentine’s Day bakes.⁣
⁣
RASPBERRY BUTTERCREAM⁣
Yield: 3 Cups⁣
⁣
INGREDIENTS⁣
1 Cup (226g) unsalted butter, room temperature⁣
3/4 Cup (18g) freeze-dried raspberries⁣
3 Tbsp (45ml) whole milk, room temperature⁣
1 tsp pure vanilla extract⁣
3 Cups (360g) powdered sugar⁣
pinch of salt⁣
⁣
INSTRUCTIONS⁣
1. With a food processor, grind the raspberries into a fine powder. Sift out the seeds (if a few seeds end up in the powder that is totally ok) and set the powder aside.⁣
2. Whip the butter using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment on medium-high speed until it’s creamy and light in color, about 5 minutes. Add the vanilla, milk, and raspberry powder and continue to mix on medium until fully combined.⁣
3. Add the powdered sugar one cup at a time and mix on low speed, scraping down the bowl and paddle after each addition. Add a pinch of salt and mix on low speed until fully combined and smooth, 1-2 minutes.⁣
⁣
Click the ā€œRaspberry Buttercreamā€ link in my bio for the full recipe + flavor pairing ideas ✨⁣
⁣
#raspberry #raspberrybuttercream #raspberrycake #buttercream #frosting #cakedecorating #cakeideas #bakinglove #bake #valentinesdayideas #freezedried

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