Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cake

July 1, 2022
by Whitney
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mint chocolate chip ice cream cake by sugar and sparrow
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Ever since the first time I made this no-churn mint chocolate chip ice cream, I have been dreaming about using it to make an ice cream cake. Not just any old ice cream cake though, something with gorgeous layers, intriguing textures, and complimentary flavors throughout. So I got to work making layers of fudgy chocolate cake, hot fudge sauce, crumbled mint Oreos, and creamy (super easy!) mint chocolate chip ice cream. I can say with assurance that this is the best ice cream cake I’ve ever had and now I can’t stop thinking about more ice cream cake flavor combinations to try!

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No-Churn Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

June 29, 2022
by Whitney
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no churn mint chocolate chip ice cream recipe

I’ve always been a little scared to make ice cream from scratch because I thought it involved an ice cream maker (which I do not have), a huge time commitment, and somehow adding eggs to the ice cream without the end result taste eggy. Turns out there’s a much easier way: the “no-churn” method. I saw it a few weeks ago on Instagram and thought it might be too good to be true. After trying it out with this mint chocolate chip ice cream though, I am so blown away that I have to sing the praises of the no-churn method here. I can’t keep this recipe to myself!

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Strawberry Shortcake Layer Cake Recipe

June 22, 2022
by Whitney
comments 6
strawberry shortcake layer cake recipe by sugar and sparrow
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Strawberry season is in full swing! I actually planted some strawberries last month and was so eager to use my little harvest in my bakes but as soon as those sweet little berries turned red, a creature of some sort had a feast. So while I couldn’t use my homegrown strawberries this time around, it didn’t stop me from heading to the store to get some fresh berries for the Strawberry Shortcake Layer Cake I’ve been dreaming of. I decided to whip it up as a Father’s Day treat for my husband and it was a total hit! 

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One Bowl Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Buttercream

June 15, 2022
by Whitney
comments 17
chocolate cupcake recipe by sugar and sparrow
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Update 2022: After posting this recipe four years ago, I found that my one bowl chocolate cake recipe makes the best chocolate cupcakes! It’s what I prefer, and the crowds agree. So, this recipe has been updated with the new (and even easier to make!) recipe. 

Oh, chocolate. It’s made me weak in the knees since I was a kid sneaking it into the cart when my mom wasn’t looking. Some people prefer fruity desserts but I tend to lean toward the decadence of something chocolatey. If you’re in the same boat, then this recipe is for you: melt-in-your-mouth chocolate cupcakes with a chocolate buttercream that has been described by a friend as “the kind you need to put in the sink and fill the bowl with water because you can’t stop eating it.”

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Funfetti Buttercream Recipe

June 8, 2022
by Whitney
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funfetti buttercream recipe

It’s my birthday week! And naturally, I decided to use it as an excuse to make my own birthday cake. Don’t worry, there are plenty of other desserts in store for this week (including my favorite Pip’s Doughnuts), plus a trip to the roller skating rink because it sounds like the most fun way to celebrate my birthday ever. For my birthday cake though, I made my Funfetti Cake recipe and topped it with this sprinkle-filled Funfetti Buttercream to make it extra festive! My heart is so happy. 

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Rainbow Arch Cake Topper Tutorial

May 31, 2022
by Whitney
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rainbow arch cake topper tutorial by sugar and sparrow

A few years ago, I was searching for the perfect rainbow arch cake topper for a Trolls themed cake and could not find what I was imagining anywhere. So instead, I decided to whip out some fondant and make my own. Although the rainbow cake topper ended up looking spot on, the fondant would not dry (at least not in the timeframe I needed it to) and I was starting to panic a bit. Then I improvised. I recreated the rainbow topper, only this time I used gum paste, which dries much faster and firmer than fondant. It looked exactly the same but dried hard as a rock in about 48 hours. The cake was saved! 

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How to Make the Perfect Buttercream Consistency + Troubleshooting Tips

May 27, 2022
by Whitney
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how to alter buttercream consistency for cake decorating

One of the number one questions I get from blog readers and social media followers is what kind of buttercream I use for my cakes. Regardless of the flavors I’m working with, the base of every frosting recipe I write is American buttercream. Specifically, one that I’ve tweaked to be less sweet than standard, customizable to suit any flavor profile, a breeze to make, and a total dream to work with. This post will focus on how to alter any of my buttercream recipes (or really, any American buttercream recipe) to be the perfect consistency for different kinds of cake decorating scenarios. I’ll even take it a step beyond and show you how to fix common buttercream problems should they ever occur. This way, you’ll always know just what to do when it comes to making the perfect batch of buttercream! 

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DIY Sprinkle Letter Cake Toppers

May 13, 2022
by Whitney
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diy letter cake toppers

There are times when a store bought cake topper gets the job done, but for all the times you want something super custom, it’s so helpful to know how to make your own. These sprinkle letter toppers are my go-to for creating celebratory cake toppers that spell out anything. Not only are they extra cute, they are so quick to whip up with a handful of things you probably already have on-hand (especially if you’re a sprinkle hoarder like me). 

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Cherry Chip Cake Recipe with Vintage Piping

April 25, 2022
by Whitney
comments 4
cherry chip cake recipe by sugar and sparrow
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It’s not often that you see Betty Crocker’s Cherry Chip Cake mix at grocery stores these days, but it’s one of those flavors that evokes nostalgia for so many people. While I did not grow up eating Cherry Chip, so many of you asked for this flavor that I felt intrigued to give it a go. After all, how could you go wrong with a pink, maraschino cherry-flecked cake? Turns out you can’t go wrong. This cake is super fun to make, pretty to look at, and extremely delicious paired with this Cherry-Almond Buttercream. 

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Cream Cheese Buttercream Recipe

March 29, 2022
by Whitney
comments 19
pipeable cream cheese buttercream
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I am so excited to share this Cream Cheese Buttercream recipe with you because it is one of my most requested frosting recipes of all time! Although I include it with my recipes for Red Velvet Cake, Pumpkin Layer Cake, Lemon Layer Cake, and Pumpkin Cupcakes, I finally decided to create a standalone post just for this frosting. It’s the perfect consistency for piping, frosting cakes smooth, and decorating cupcakes, all without being too sweet or complicated to make. It’s become my go-to and I hope you love it as much as I do! 

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