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Bee Themed Cake with Thistle & Lace Cake Toppers

May 29, 2019 · In: Lifestyle

Whether you’ve got a wedding, birthday, anniversary, or anything to celebrate with cake, one thing is for sure: a custom cake topper will make it extra special, effortlessly! My favorite place to find cake and cupcake toppers for special occasions is a sweet online shop called Thistle & Lace. From ready-to-order cake toppers to completely custom toppers like monograms, names, and sayings, Thistle & Lace has the perfect cake topper for any event, all designed and handcrafted with love. And great new: you can use my code SUGAR15 to get 15% off your order, valid until June 30th!

Thistle & Lace packaging
Thistle & Lace wood cake toppers

Julie (the owner) of Thistle & Lace graciously sent me some of her favorite cake toppers, and I wanted to create a cake for each and every one of them! These beauties are made of ⅛ inch Baltic Birch Plywood which is super strong, stable, and has a gorgeous finish. They’re cut with a powerful laser cutter in such a precise way that the edges are miraculously un-burnt and flawless, no matter how intricate the design. Each cake topper comes in a variety of colors (shown below), and the painted options are created with FDA-approved paints, aka they’re perfectly safe to top your cake with! Just look at these amazing color options:

Thistle & Lace color options

I love all of the cake toppers that Julie sent over and will definitely be using them on my upcoming cakes and bakes! I was so enthralled with the “Happy Bee Day” topper that I considered it the perfect opportunity to whip up a bee-themed birthday cake. Here’s a quick video to show you some behind the scenes of this bee birthday cake and cake topper action:

Isn’t the Happy Bee Day cake topper the cutest ever? It’s perfect for this bee-inspired cake and I love how intricate the honeycomb details are.

Bee themed birthday cake by Sugar & Sparrow
bee cake tutorial

In addition to creating high-quality cake toppers in so many pretty colors and styles, the thing I love most about Thistle & Lace is that you can easily customize what your cake topper looks like and says. These toppers are not mass-produced, so you can really get the look you want, whatever it might be. They’re the perfect option for adding names or special sayings to cake and cupcake toppers for any occasion. These are just a tiny fraction of the made-to-order options, and just think of the possibilities when it comes to custom designs!

Thistle & Lace custom cake toppers

I highly recommend Thistle & Lace for all of your cake topper needs, and they have even more customizable products to help with wedding and party decor. Be sure to check out their other products like wedding table numbers, fun guestbook options, custom wall signs, and so much more. Don’t forget to enter my code SUGAR 15 at checkout to get your 15% off until June 30th! And let us know if you end up topping your pretty cakes with Thistle & Lace toppers by tagging @sugarandsparrowco and @thistleandlaceshop on Instagram. We’d love to see what you create!   

striped buttercream bee birthday cake

Disclaimer: I was compensated by Thistle & Lace for my work of creating this project, styling, filming, photographing, and writing about their products. As always, all opinions are honest and my own. Thank you for supporting brands that support Sugar & Sparrow.

By: Whitney · In: Lifestyle · Tagged: anniversary cake toppers, bee birthday cake, bee cake, bee cake topper, bee cake with honeycomb, bee themed cake, birthday cake toppers, black and yellow bee cake, black and yellow cake, custom cake toppers, happy bee day cake topper, striped buttercream cake, striped buttercream cake tutorial, thistle and lace, thistle and lace cake toppers, wedding cake toppers, wood cake toppers, wooden cake toppers

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SHEET PAN COOKIE CAKE 🍪 slice it warm for a fud SHEET PAN COOKIE CAKE 🍪 slice it warm for a fudgy chocolate chip cookie OR let it settle into a moist and chewy cookie cake that’s perfect for decorating! My fave vanilla buttercream + sprinkles turn this giant chocolate chip cookie into the perfect birthday cake alternative at the end 🥳
⁣
Full recipe + decorating ideas at https://sugarandsparrow.com/sheet-pan-chocolate-chip-cookie-cake/
⁣
INGREDIENTS⁣
1 Cup (226g) unsalted butter, melted⁣
1 1/3 Cups (267g) packed light or dark brown sugar⁣
1/2 Cup (100g) granulated sugar⁣
3 large eggs⁣
1 Tbsp pure vanilla extract⁣
1 tsp baking soda⁣
1 tsp cornstarch⁣
1/2 tsp salt⁣
3 Cups (398g) all purpose flour⁣
2 Cups (350g) semi-sweet chocolate chips⁣
⁣
INSTRUCTIONS⁣
1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF (177ºC). Grease and line a 13×18 inch sheet pan.⁣
2. In a large bowl, add the brown sugar and granulated sugar. Melt the butter in the microwave and pour it over the top of the sugars. Whisk together until uniform. Add the eggs and vanilla, then continue whisking until uniform. Whisk in the baking soda, cornstarch, and salt.⁣
3. Add the flour and use a silicone spatula to fold it in until smooth cookie dough forms. Reserve 1/2 Cup of the chocolate chips and set them aside, then fold the remaining 1 1/2 Cups of chocolate chips into the cookie dough.⁣
4. Place the chocolate chip cookie dough onto the prepared sheet pan and use an offset spatula to spread it all the way to the edges in an even layer.⁣
5. Bake the cookie cake for 14-16 minutes, until it looks golden brown on the edges and set. 
6. Enjoy warm or let it cool and decorate with vanilla buttercream and sprinkles! ⁣
⁣
#cookiecake #chocolatechipcookies #sheetcake #birthdaycake #cakedecorating
STRAWBERRY CUPCAKES 🍓based on my beloved strawb STRAWBERRY CUPCAKES 🍓based on my beloved strawberry layer cake recipe, this cupcake version is just as moist yet fluffy and bursting with natural strawberry flavor! Between the mix of fresh strawberries in the cupcakes + freeze-dried strawberries in the frosting, the flavor is out of this world 🚀

Full recipe link in my bio (with strawberry buttercream) + at https://sugarandsparrow.com/strawberry-cupcakes/

STRAWBERRY CUPCAKES
Yield: 14 cupcakes

INGREDIENTS:
5 oz (143g) fresh or frozen strawberries
1/3 Cup (80ml) whole milk, room temp
1 1/2 Cups (158g) sifted cake flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
6 Tbsp (85g) unsalted butter, room temp
1 Cup (200g) granulated sugar
2 large eggs, room temp
3 Tbsp (45g) sour cream, room temp
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 drop pink food coloring (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS: 
1. Puree the strawberries using a food processor (you’ll have about 1/2 cup of puree), then place into a saucepan over medium-low heat. Bring to a simmer, then cook for 10-15 min, stirring occasionally, until you have 1/4 cup. Refrigerate until room temp.
2. Preheat oven to 350ºF (177ºC) and line a standard cupcake pan with liners.
3. Whisk together the sifted cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and set aside.
4. In a stand mixer w/ paddle attachment (or hand mixer + large bowl), whip the butter on high for 2 min. Add sugar and beat for 2 min, until light and fluffy. Turn the mixer to low and add the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla and sour cream, turn the mixer to high and beat for 1 min. Meanwhile, whisk together the strawberry puree, whole milk, and food coloring (if using).
5. Turn the mixer off and add all of the dry ingredients at once. Mix on low until just combined, then add the strawberry milk mixture until just combined, about 30 seconds.
6. Fill the cupcake liners 2/3 full and bake for 14-18 minutes. Cool completely before topping with strawberry buttercream (full recipe linked above). 

#strawberrycupcakes #strawberrycake #pinkcupcakes #strawberry #cupcakes
COFFEE BUTTERCREAM (recipe below)☕️ this frost COFFEE BUTTERCREAM (recipe below)☕️ this frosting has AMAZING coffee flavor, is so easy to decorate cakes with, and pairs beautifully with so many flavors (chocolate, vanilla, or any cake flavor you’d want to turn into a latte). 

All my cake pairing suggestions are linked in my bio or at https://sugarandsparrow.com/coffee-buttercream-recipe/ 

COFFEE BUTTERCREAM⁣
Yield: 2.5 Cups⁣

INGREDIENTS⁣
1 1/2 tsp instant coffee or espresso powder⁣
1 1/2 Tbsp whole milk, room temperature⁣
1 Cup (226g) unsalted butter, room temperature⁣
3 1/2 Cups (420g) powdered sugar⁣
2 tsp pure vanilla extract⁣
Pinch of salt⁣

INSTRUCTIONS⁣
1. Combine the instant espresso/coffee with the whole milk and set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter on high until creamy and smooth (about 5 minutes), scraping down the bowl and paddle a few times in between.⁣
2. Turn the mixer to low and add the powdered sugar a few cups at a time, scraping down the bowl and paddle between intervals. Add the vanilla, the coffee/espresso milk mixture, and salt. Mix on low until fully incorporated, about one minute.⁣

#coffeebuttercream #buttercream #frosting #coffeecake
HUMMINGBIRD CAKE 🤎 after weeks of testing this HUMMINGBIRD CAKE 🤎 after weeks of testing this recipe I found that the KEY to taking this already delicious cake to the next level is: roasting the bananas!! It’s an optional step in this recipe BUT it adds unparalleled caramel notes and noticeable richness to the flavor 🙌🏼 Along with the crushed pineapple, toasted pecans, and tangy cream cheese buttercream, this cake is NEXT LEVEL delicious, ultra-moist, melts in your mouth, and will have everyone asking for the recipe. 

Full recipe (with cream cheese frosting) linked in my bio + at https://sugarandsparrow.com/hummingbird-cake-recipe/ 

#hummingbirdcake #creamcheesefrosting #bananacake #cakedecorating #cakerecipe
OREO CUPCAKES 🖤 (recipe below) I made these for OREO CUPCAKES 🖤 (recipe below) I made these for a fundraiser at @vancity.youth last weekend and was reminded of how delicious this recipe is! There’s black cocoa powder in the cupcake batter to give them the PERFECT Oreo cookie flavor profile + the most delicious cookies and cream buttercream I’d eat all on its own. 
 
Full recipe at https://sugarandsparrow.com/oreo-cupcakes-recipe/ 
 
OREO CUPCAKES 
1 Cup (132g) all purpose flour 
3/4 Cup (150g) granulated sugar 
1/3 Cup (38g) black cocoa powder 
1 tsp baking soda 
1/2 tsp baking powder 
1/4 tsp salt 
1/4 Cup (60ml) vegetable oil 
1 large egg, room temp 
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract 
1/2 Cup (120ml) buttermilk, room temp 
1/2 Cup (120ml) hot coffee or hot water 
 
1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF/177ºC and line a cupcake pan with 12-15 liners. 
2. In a large bowl, whisk all of the dry ingredients together. Add the vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk and whisk to combine. Whisk in the hot coffee (or hot water). 
3. Pour the batter into the prepared cupcake liners and bake for 14-18 minutes. 
 
OREO BUTTERCREAM 
1 Cup (226g) unsalted butter, room temperature 
3 Cups (360g) powdered sugar 
2 tsp pure vanilla extract 
2 Tbsp whole milk, room temperature 
pinch of salt, or to taste 
9 Oreo cookies (96g), finely ground 
 
1. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, cream the butter on medium-high speed until it’s creamy and pale, 5 min. 
2. Add the powdered sugar a few cups at a time, mixing on low speed and scraping down bowl and paddle in between intervals. Keep the mixer on low and add the vanilla, milk, and salt. Mix until fully incorporated and uniform, 1-2 min. 
4. Mix in the Oreo cookie crumbs on low speed. 
 
#oreo #oreocupcakes #cookiesandcream #chocolatecupcakes #cupcakes

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