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Sugar & Sparrow

Lifestyle and Cake from Portland Oregon

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pumpkin spice latte layer cake

November 3, 2026 · In: Cake, Fall, Featured, Holiday, Recipes, Seasonal, Winter

Pumpkin Spice Latte Cake

Inspired by everyone’s favorite seasonal drink, this Pumpkin Spice Latte cake is my favorite pumpkin layer cake paired with delicious spiced coffee buttercream. The cake layers have amazing spiced pumpkin…

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November 1, 2026 · In: Cake, Featured, Recipes

Almond Joy Cake

Inspired by one of my favorite candy bars of all time, this Almond Joy cake is every bit as delicious with layers of soft coconut cake, coconut-almond buttercream, chocolate ganache,…

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how to make monster cupcakes

October 12, 2026 · In: Cupcakes, Featured, Halloween, Recipes, Seasonal, Tutorials

Easy Monster Cupcakes

These easy monster cupcakes are so fun to make with your favorite piping tips, a fun buttercream color palette, and lots of googly eye sprinkles! You can use any cupcake…

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Halloween cakes cupcakes and treats

October 10, 2026 · In: Featured, Halloween, Seasonal

Halloween Cakes, Cupcakes, and Treats

Whether you need a spooky showstopper for your Halloween party or simply want a fun baking project, here are all the Halloween cakes and bakes I love. On this list…

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mummy halloween cupcakes recipe and decorating tutorial

October 8, 2026 · In: Cupcakes, Featured, Halloween, Recipes, Seasonal, Tutorials

Easy Mummy Cupcakes

These mummy cupcakes are probably the easiest Halloween cupcakes you’ll ever make! You can use any dark-colored cupcake recipe for the cake portion (I’ve included my favorite chocolate cupcakes recipe,…

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black velvet cake baked in a 9x13 pan decorated with black buttercream and googly eyes

October 7, 2026 · In: Cake, Featured, Halloween, Recipes, Seasonal, Sheet Cakes

Black Velvet Sheet Cake (Dye-Free!)

I made my beloved black velvet cake recipe even easier for spooky gatherings with this sheet cake version that’s perfect for serving a crowd! It’s completely dye-free (aka ZERO food…

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Whitney Depaoli of Sugar and Sparrow in the kitchen

October 2, 2026 · In: Lifestyle, Recipes

Everything I Baked in September

Now that my kids are back in school and I have the kitchen all to myself, I’m getting back into my GROOVE! I spent this month making a couple new…

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apple cupcakes with salted caramel buttercream and salted caramel topping

September 24, 2026 · In: Cupcakes, Fall, Featured, Recipes, Seasonal

Caramel Apple Cupcakes

Deliciously moist, perfectly spiced apple cupcakes topped with a swirl of salted caramel buttercream and drizzled with homemade salted caramel sauce – these are the ideal Fall cupcakes if you…

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small batch pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting recipe by sugar and sparrow

September 18, 2026 · In: Cake, Fall, Featured, Halloween, Recipes, Seasonal, Small Batch

Small Batch Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

This small batch pumpkin cake is the perfect way to enjoy classic Fall flavors without making a full-sized cake! It’s my favorite pumpkin layer cake recipe that’s supremely moist, beautifully…

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fall dessert recipe ideas

September 4, 2026 · In: Cake, Fall, Recipes, Seasonal

36+ Best Fall Dessert Recipes for Cozy Baking

The coziest baking season of all is here! To celebrate, I’ve gathered all of my favorite Fall baking recipes in one place. Below you’ll find 36+ dessert recipes with all…

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how to make brown butter in a saucepan perfectly

August 26, 2026 · In: Fall, FAQ, Featured, Recipes, Seasonal, Tutorials, Winter

How to Brown Butter (with Video Tutorial!)

If you’ve never made brown butter before, you’re about to discover one of the easiest ways to add incredible flavor to your baking! Brown butter is simply regular butter that…

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no churn cookie dough ice cream recipe

August 14, 2026 · In: Featured, Ice Cream, Recipes, Seasonal, Summer

No-Churn Cookie Dough Ice Cream

If you’re a fan of cookie dough ice cream, this easy homemade version is about to become a freezer staple! This no-churn cookie dough ice cream features a velvety no-churn…

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Welcome to Sugar & Sparrow

Welcome to Sugar & Sparrow

Helping you whip up pretty desserts with confidence and creativity. And hopefully sharing a few laughs with you along the way!

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peppermint hot cocoa cake

Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cake Recipe

biscoff buttercream recipe for cakes

Biscoff Buttercream Recipe

oatmeal creme pie cake recipe

Oatmeal Creme Pie Cake

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@sugarandsparrowco

ALMOND JOY CAKE 🤎🥥 this tastes just like an Almond ALMOND JOY CAKE 🤎🥥 this tastes just like an Almond Joy candy bar in cake form: layers of soft, fluffy coconut cake with silky chocolate ganache, sliced almonds, and the dreamiest coconut-almond buttercream! 

Comment RECIPE and I’ll send it on over! Or find it linked in my bio + at https://sugarandsparrow.com/almond-joy-cake-recipe/

#almondjoy #coconutcake #almondcake #cakedecorating #candycake
You butter believe I made myself the Halloween cos You butter believe I made myself the Halloween costume of my dreams!! 🧈 

#diyhalloweencostume
#foodcostume #halloweencostume #handmadecostume #bakerlife
MELTED CANDLE CUPCAKES 🖤🕯give me a few cupcakes, s MELTED CANDLE CUPCAKES 🖤🕯give me a few cupcakes, some dye-free black buttercream, and black chocolate ganache and watch me transform them into the spookiest edible centerpiece! 

Full tutorial is linked in my bio + at https://sugarandsparrow.com/melting-candle-cupcakes/ but I have a condensed version below: 
 
SUPPLIES: ⁣ 
-9 cupcakes⁣  (made these with my small batch black velvet cake recipe!) 
-1 batch of dye-free black buttercream 
-boba straws or skewers (for stabilizing the taller candles) ⁣ 
-icing smoother + turntable ⁣ 
-black ganache for dripping⁣ 
-3 birthday cake candles⁣ 
-matches ⁣ to light them
⁣ 
INSTRUCTIONS: ⁣ 
1. Fill and stack the cupcakes: one stack of 2 cupcakes, one stack of 3 cupcakes, and one stack of 4 cupcakes. For the two taller cupcakes I inserted a boba straw through the middle to stabilize the stack for frosting. ⁣ 
2. Frost the stacked cupcakes with smooth buttercream and keep the top edge raw. Refrigerate for 20 minutes to let the frosting firm up. ⁣ 
3. Transfer the frosted cupcake candles  onto a small plate and pipe ganache around the edges and tops to look like melted wax. ⁣ 
4. Insert a birthday cake candle into each cake candle (keep the wick about 1/4 inch from the cake surface) and light! ⁣ 
⁣ 
#candlecake #halloweencake #cupcakes #blackvelvetcake #blackbuttercream
BISCOFF COOKIE BUTTERCREAM 🤎 this delicious frosti BISCOFF COOKIE BUTTERCREAM 🤎 this delicious frosting is flavored with Biscoff cookie butter and goes with literally ANY Fall cake recipe 🙌🏼 So far my favorite cake flavors to pair it with are pumpkin cake, banana cake, chocolate cake, coffee cake, and spice cake, but I am also testing a full-on Biscoff cake this week!! 

Full recipe + my favorite cake pairing suggestions are at https://sugarandsparrow.com/biscoff-buttercream/ 
⁣⁣ 
INGREDIENTS⁣⁣ 
1 Cups (226g) unsalted butter, room temperature⁣⁣ 
1/2 Cup (94g) Biscoff cookie butter⁣⁣ or spread
3 Cups (360g) powdered sugar⁣⁣ 
1 tsp pure vanilla extract⁣⁣ 
2 Tbsp whole milk, room temperature⁣⁣ 
1/4 tsp salt, or to taste⁣⁣ 
⁣⁣ 
INSTRUCTIONS⁣⁣ 
1. Cream the butter and Biscoff cookie butter together in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or you can use a hand mixer and large bowl). Mix on medium-high until creamy and well combined, about 5 minutes, scraping down the bowl and paddle as needed.⁣⁣ 
2. Turn the mixer to low speed and add the powdered sugar a few cups at a time, scraping down the bowl and paddle after mixing in each addition. Add the vanilla, milk, and salt and continue mixing on low speed until smooth and combined, 1-2 minutes.⁣ 
⁣⁣ 
#biscoffcake #biscoff #buttercream #frosting #cakedecorating
DYE-FREE BLACK VELVET CUPCAKES 🖤 These all black c DYE-FREE BLACK VELVET CUPCAKES 🖤 These all black cupcakes use black cocoa powder (and NO food coloring!) to achieve that rich black color for the cupcakes + black buttercream. That means they won’t turn anyone’s mouth black AND they taste like Oreo cookies in deliciously moist cupcake form 👻

✨Full recipe (with dye-free black buttercream) is linked in my bio + at https://sugarandsparrow.com/black-velvet-cupcakes/ 

BLACK VELVET CUPCAKES
Yield: 14 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 temperature
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 Cup (120ml) full-fat buttermilk*
1/2 Cup (120ml) hot coffee or hot water

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners and set aside.
2. Place all of the dry ingredients into a large bowl and whisk together to combine. Add the vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk and whisk until combined. With the mixer still on low, add the hot coffee (or hot water) and whisk until smooth, about 2 minutes. The batter will be very thin. 
3. Pour the batter into the prepared cupcake liners (no more than ⅔ full) and bake for 15-18 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out with just a few moist crumbs on it. Cool completely before frosting with dye-free black buttercream (full recipe linked in my bio).

*If you don’t have buttermilk on hand (I rarely do!), use 1/2 Cup whole milk mixed with 1 1/2 tsp vinegar or lemon juice. 

#blackcupcakes #blackbuttercream #blackcocoapowder #halloweencupcakes #halloweenbaking

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