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Sugar & Sparrow

Lifestyle and Cake from Portland Oregon

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Sugar & Sparrow’s Best of 2021

December 30, 2021 · In: Featured, Lifestyle

I love the feeling of a new year right around the corner. Though I know I’m not exactly leaving all of this past year behind me, a new year still feels like a blank slate and that’s enough inspiration for me. This week between Christmas and New Years, I like to sit down and reflect on all that the last year has meant to me + think about the things I hope for in the next one. No resolutions, no “new year new me,” no competition mentality. This time is all about reflection, consideration, and also making a few goals because I am a dreamer after all. 

2021 was not a particularly easy year for me or for Sugar & Sparrow, but at the same time it was truly life giving and rewarding. My newborn baby became an infant at the beginning of the year and is now a very curious toddler who is happily into everything. The kid loves life and it’s been so fun to watch him discover more and more. I have been loving motherhood despite it being the hardest job I’ve ever had, and juggling cake blogging on top of it has been a real challenge, but I’m giving myself a lot more grace. I’m learning my limits and how to create a work-life balance I feel good about, all while keeping the creative inspiration for Sugar & Sparrow alive. Thank you tremendously for sticking with me through all of the transition!

sugar and sparrow

As for Sugar & Sparrow, this past year was a lot about re-discovering my passion for cake. Specifically, a passion for teaching you how to make pretty cakes that spread joy. Nothing makes me happier than hearing that one of my recipes has become your go-to or that someone has used my Cake Basics series to make their very first successful cake. I love helping you learn and grow in your cake making skills, and that will be my main focus in 2022 – more Cake Basics, sharing trusted recipes, posting video tutorials, and creating resources you can reference again and again. Other things I have planned: a major kitchen remodel (praise be!) + something else BIG and exciting that I can’t wait to share more about, so stay tuned! 

All of that said, I’d love it if you would comment below what you want to learn this year in regards to cake. I’ve got a running list of ideas and would be thrilled to add your suggestions to it! In the meantime, while we wait to ring in 2022 together, let’s take a little trip down memory lane. Here are the posts you loved the most in 2021: 

Cake Basics: How to Transfer Cakes to a Stand (or Box)

So you’ve decorated the perfect cake. Now how do you get it into a box or onto a cake stand without messing up all the details? Because I know the anxiety that transfer can bring, I whipped up this Cake Basics post and video tutorial to show you how I do it. 

how to move a cake to stand

Cake Basics: Make Ahead Tips for Cake

When I ran a cake business from home many years ago, I remember obsessing over how far in advance I could make and decorate a cake while keeping it fresh for the client. Now that I run Sugar & Sparrow, I get questions all the time regarding cake timelines like this. I wrote out these make ahead tips so that you’d never have to wonder about when to start your baking and decorating, how to make your elements (cake layers, buttercream, decorations, etc) ahead of time so they’re ready to go on decorating day, and essentially how to plan your cake out and reduce the stress of it. There’s even a sample cake timeline that you can use as a reference!

how to freeze cakes

Chocolate Ganache Drip Recipe + Video

While this recipe is not new per se, it has become my most loved of all time. This past year, I finally whipped up a video to go along with it! In it, I teach you my recipe for go-to chocolate ganache, show you how I drip a cake with it, and cover all the troubleshooting I can think of. This one should help you create flawless chocolate ganache drip cakes every time. 

chocolate ganache troubleshooting tips

Heat Stable Vanilla Buttercream Recipe

After one of my cakes full-on melted at an outdoor party last summer, I set up the ultimate experiment in hopes of finding the perfect heat resistant buttercream recipe. I frosted four different cakes with various buttercreams and set them out in the sun to see what would happen over time. Not only did I find a new go-to recipe that takes the heat and doesn’t sacrifice flavor, I had a whole lot of fun along the way. 

four inch cakes by sugar and sparrow

Raspberry Chocolate Cake Recipe

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, you’re going to want to stick this Raspberry Chocolate Cake recipe in your back pocket: layers of moist, fudgy chocolate cake + my favorite raspberry buttercream recipe, decorated with rich chocolate ganache and fresh raspberries. It’s romantic, decadent, and the buttercream has the most beautiful natural color ever. 

chocolate raspberry cake

Vegan Chocolate Cake Recipe

2021 was the year I finally attempted vegan cake recipes! It was one of my new years goals one whole year ago, and I’m so happy with the results. This cake, along with the two other vegan cake recipes on my blog, were featured in the print edition of PlantBased Magazine last summer! You truly cannot tell that this Vegan Chocolate Cake recipe is vegan – it’s rich and decadent, moist and fudgy, packed with chocolate flavor, and so easy to whip up. 

vegan chocolate cake recipe by Sugar and Sparrow

Vegan Vanilla Cake Recipe

This fluffy, bakery style Vegan Vanilla Cake probably took the most testing of any cake recipe I’ve ever written, but it was worth all of it. I was so excited about the final results that I drove the cake around to all my vegan friends for confirmation (spoiler alert: they loved it!). It has a divine texture, moist crumb, and perfect vanilla flavor. If you’re looking for a good go-to vanilla cake for those who are plant based or need a dairy free option, I hope this becomes yours! 

vegan vanilla cake recipe

DIY Food Photography Backgrounds

After searching the internet for food photography backgrounds, I came to the conclusion that I should try making them myself. The results? Amazing photo backgrounds at a fraction of the cost. Here’s how to make your own with some foam core boards and contact paper.

food photography tips for styling

Black Buttercream Recipe (That Won’t Stain Your Teeth)

Love the look of black buttercream but hate how it stains your mouth when you eat it? Yeah, me too. That’s why I decided to experiment with black buttercream recipes in search of one that didn’t require too much black food color gel. Here’s my new favorite Black Buttercream recipe that won’t stain your teeth! 

black buttercream recipe by sugar and sparrow

Thanks again SO MUCH for sticking with me through this crazy year and cheering me on the whole way. I hope you had a wonderful 2021 and are looking forward to the year ahead. Whether cake making is a life giving hobby, your small business, or a skill you want to grow in, I am excited to share the journey with you and grow together. Stay tuned for more news of what’s to come for Sugar & Sparrow in 2022 and be sure to comment below with what you’d like to learn this year! 

By: Whitney · In: Featured, Lifestyle · Tagged: 2021, best of 2021, new years, top 9

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Comments

  1. Maggie Punter says

    December 30, 2021 at 9:40 am

    I would love to know how to make an authentic Black Forest Cake!!

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      December 30, 2021 at 10:51 am

      Oooh I am ON IT! That’s my husband’s favorite cake and I have yet to nail down the perfect recipe!

      Reply
  2. W Lawson says

    December 30, 2021 at 11:04 am

    Love all of your help! I actually bake now, thanks to you!
    I would love a red velvet cake receipt and non traditional cake and cupcake receipts for guests.
    I cannot find something tall enough to carry a 3 layer cake with icing Any suggestions?

    Thanks, again!!

    W

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      December 30, 2021 at 11:18 am

      It makes me so happy to hear that you’ve found a love for baking! A red velvet cake is definitely on my list and I’ll try to add some more cupcake recipes this year as well. In the meantime, you can make any of my cake recipes as cupcakes! Just start with one of these recipes, fill your cupcake tins no more than 2/3 full, and bake at 350F for 15-18 minutes (until a toothpick inserted comes out clean): https://sugarandsparrow.com/category/recipes/cake/

      These cake boxes usually fit my triple layer cakes as long as there aren’t tall decorations on top: https://amzn.to/3HsEzkr but if you need boxes taller than that I would recommend something like these: https://www.cakesupplies4u.com/packaging/cake-boxes/tall-cake-boxes.html

      Reply

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BANANA BISCOFF CARAMEL CAKE 🍌🎂 these flavors BANANA BISCOFF CARAMEL CAKE 🍌🎂 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 “Anyone Can Cake: Bonus Recipes” link in my bio for all the info ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
#biscoffcake #lotusbiscoff #bananacake  #saltedcaramel #caramelcake #buttercream #bakedfromscratch #frosting #bananacaramel #bake #anyonecancake #cakesofinstagram #cake #layercake #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 ombré funfe TODAY! Watch me make this pretty pink ombré 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 ♥️ livestream link is in my bio + Story and I can’t wait to connect with you all 🫶🏽 ⁣
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#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 “baby sis” 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 😆⁣
⁣
#pregnancyannouncement #motherhood #bakersofinstagram #pregnant #19weekspregnant #toddlermom #blogger #bloggersofinstagram #mama #littlechef #bakinglove #baking
This Raspberry Buttercream (recipe below!) 😍♥ This Raspberry Buttercream (recipe below!) 😍♥️ 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.⁣
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Click the “Raspberry Buttercream” 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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