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Sugar & Sparrow

Lifestyle and Cake from Portland Oregon

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black forest sheet cake slice on a plate

July 2, 2026 · In: Cake, Featured, Recipes, Seasonal, Summer

Black Forest Sheet Cake

I can never let cherry season go by without making black forest cake, and this year I decided to change things up and make a sheet cake version! It’s even…

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everything I baked in June Sugar & Sparrow

June 30, 2026 · In: Featured, Lifestyle

Everything I Baked in June

June was such a productive month for me! I felt so motivated to bake, inspired by Summer flavors, and couldn’t keep up with myself when it came to editing and…

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whipped cream frosting with cream cheese

June 25, 2026 · In: Featured, Frosting, Recipes, Seasonal, Spring, Summer

Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting

This whipped cream cheese frosting is deliciously light, the ideal silky consistency for cake decorating, and so easy to make! I love that it comes together with just four ingredients…

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dessert recipes for the 4th of july

June 23, 2026 · In: Featured, Recipes, Seasonal, Summer

The Best 4th of July Desserts for Your BBQ

I’ve gathered all of my favorite dessert recipes that are perfect for a 4th of July celebration. Whether you’re looking for no-bake desserts you can easily make ahead, desserts that…

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strawberry shortcake frosted sugar cookie bars recipe

June 22, 2026 · In: Cookies & Bars, Featured, Recipes, Seasonal, Spring, Summer

Strawberry Shortcake Cookie Bars

These strawberry shortcake cookie bars combine a thick, soft sugar cookie with strawberry shortcake toppings and the result is absolutely HEAVENLY! The dough for the sugar cookie bars comes together…

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blackberry lavender cake with lavender buttercream and blackberry cake filling

June 15, 2026 · In: Cake, Featured, Recipes, Seasonal, Spring, Summer

Blackberry Lavender Cake

This blackberry lavender cake is the kind of dessert that adds a bit of magic to any ordinary gathering! Featuring layers of soft vanilla cake with swirls of blackberry baked…

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24 best birthday cake recipes

June 10, 2026 · In: Cake, Featured, Recipes

My 24+ Best Birthday Cake Recipes

No birthday is complete without a special dessert, and in most cases, that means cake! I think one of the most meaningful things you can do to celebrate someone is…

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berries and cream sheet cake by sugar and sparrow

June 9, 2026 · In: Cake, Featured, Recipes, Seasonal, Spring, Summer

Berries & Cream Sheet Cake

This berries & cream sheet cake is deliciously light and refreshing, so pretty to look at, and couldn’t be easier to throw together! The recipe starts with baking my extra…

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homemade blackberry cake filling recipe

June 9, 2026 · In: Featured, Filling, Recipes, Seasonal, Summer

Blackberry Cake Filling

This blackberry cake filling is bright yet earthy, the perfect amount of sweet-tart, and ideal to pair with a variety of cake flavors (my favorites are listed below)! It comes…

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chocolate cupcakes with chocolate buttercream, marshmallow filling, mini marshmallows, and chopped almonds

June 5, 2026 · In: Cupcakes, Featured, Recipes, Seasonal, Summer

Rocky Road Cupcakes with Homemade Marshmallow Filling

Inspired by the classic ice cream flavor! These rocky road cupcakes are moist and decadent chocolate cupcakes filled with homemade marshmallow creme, then topped with fudgy chocolate buttercream, mini marshmallows,…

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no-churn cookie dough ice cream cake recipe by sugar and sparrow

June 1, 2026 · In: Cake, Featured, Ice Cream, No-Bake, Recipes, Seasonal, Summer

The BEST Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake

This cookie dough ice cream cake turned out to be the birthday cake of my DREAMS and I’m so excited to share this recipe with you!! It’s creamy chocolate and…

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whitney depaoli of sugar and sparrow in her kitchen

May 29, 2026 · In: Featured, Lifestyle

Everything I Baked in May

If I had to describe what May was like in my kitchen, I’d probably compare it to a rollercoaster. There were extreme highs like taking the first bite of this…

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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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DYE-FREE BLACK BUTTERCREAM 🖤 (recipe below) there DYE-FREE BLACK BUTTERCREAM 🖤 (recipe below) there is ZERO food coloring in this black buttercream recipe which means it won’t turn your mouth black (or anything else 💩) + it tastes like Oreo cookie butter so it’s a win all around!! The key is to use EXTRA dark black cocoa powder, which also comes in handy in my black velvet cake recipe 🙌🏼 ideal secret ingredient for your Halloween cakes! 
⁣
Full recipe (and the black cocoa powder I use!) is linked in my bio and at https://sugarandsparrow.com/dye-free-black-buttercream/
⁣
DYE-FREE BLACK BUTTERCREAM⁣⁣
Yield: 2.5 Cups⁣⁣
⁣⁣
INGREDIENTS:⁣⁣
1 Cup (226g) unsalted butter, room temp
2 1/2 Cups (300g) powdered sugar⁣⁣
1/2 Cup (56g) EXTRA DARK black cocoa powder⁣⁣*
1 tsp pure vanilla extract⁣⁣
2 Tbsp whole milk, room temp
pinch of salt⁣⁣
⁣⁣
INSTRUCTIONS:⁣⁣
1. In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whip the butter on medium speed until creamy and light in color, 4 min. Add half of the powdered sugar and mix on low until just combined, then add the rest of the powdered sugar. With the mixer still in the off position, sift in the black cocoa powder and add the vanilla, milk, and salt. Mix on low until all ingredients are thoroughly combined, 2-3 minutes, scraping down the bowl and paddle as needed.⁣⁣
2. Place the buttercream in an airtight container and allow the color to deepen for 24 hours or more. ⁣⁣

*I use a brand called The Cocoa Trader that I get on Amazon. It’s the darkest black cocoa powder I’ve seen so far!!
⁣⁣
#blackbuttercream #naturalfoodcoloring #blackcake #buttercream #blackcocoapowder
SMALL BATCH pumpkin cake with cream cheese frostin SMALL BATCH pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting 🧡 This mini cake is a scaled down version of my favorite pumpkin cake recipe + makes the perfect amount for 2-4 people! Bake it as a 4-inch mini layer cake or a single layer 6-inch cake, either way is absolutely delicious and the perfect for date night, a small gathering, or any time you’re craving pumpkin cake without having to make a huge dessert 🙌🏽

Comment RECIPE and I’ll send you the full recipe (with thick and stable cream cheese frosting!) or find it linked in my bio + at https://sugarandsparrow.com/small-batch-pumpkin-cake/ 

INGREDIENTS 
2/3 Cup (88g) all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground ginger
1/3 Cup (67g) packed brown sugar
2 Tbsp (25g) granulated sugar
1/3 Cup (80ml) vegetable oil or melted butter
1 large egg, room temp
1/2 Cup (125g) canned pumpkin puree
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF (177ºC). Grease and line three 4-inch cake pans or one 6-inch cake pan.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and ground ginger. Set aside.
3. In a separate medium bowl, add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, vegetable oil (if using melted butter in place of the oil, cool it for 5-10 minutes prior to adding here), egg, pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract. Whisk together until uniform, then add the flour mixture and whisk until smooth.
4. Pour the batter evenly between the prepared cake pan(s). If using 4-inch cake pans, bake for 22-26 minutes. If using a 6-inch cake pan, bake for 25-30 minutes. Cool completely before frosting (full recipe with cream cheese buttercream is linked in my bio!)

#pumpkincake #smallbatchcake #minicake #creamcheesefrosting #fallbaking
TOP 10 FALL CAKES 🍂 These are not only MY favorite TOP 10 FALL CAKES 🍂 These are not only MY favorite Fall cake recipes, they’re yours too! 🥰

Comment “FALL” and I’ll send you all of the cake recipes shown here and all 36+ of my favorite Fall baking ideas – classic cakes like pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting, spice cake, and cranberry orange cake, more complex flavor combinations like chocolate pecan pie cake with salted caramel and apple crisp cake, and cozy recipes like no-bake pumpkin cheesecake, homemade salted caramel, and my favorite brown butter chocolate chip cookie bars. 

https://sugarandsparrow.com/fall-baking-recipes/

#pumpkincake #applecake #fallcake #cakeinspiration #cakeideas
The BEST pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting 🧡 The BEST pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting 🧡 this pumpkin layer cake is easy to make, perfectly spiced, so moist, irresistible with cream cheese frosting, and uses the ENTIRE 15oz can of pumpkin (no awkward leftovers!). Top it with pretty piped pumpkins to make it extra cute 🥰

Comment RECIPE to get the full recipe (with frosting + cake decorating tutorial) or find it linked in my bio and at https://sugarandsparrow.com/pumpkin-layer-cake-recipe/

INGREDIENTS
2 Cups (265g) all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1 Cup (200g) packed brown sugar
1/2 Cup (100g) granulated sugar
1 Cup (240ml) vegetable oil or melted butter
4 large eggs, room temp
15 Oz (425g) canned pumpkin puree
2 tsp pure vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF (177ºC). Grease and line three 6-inch or two 8-inch cake pans.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and ground ginger. Set aside.
3. In a separate large bowl, add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, oil (if using melted butter in place of the oil, cool it for 5-10 minutes prior to adding here), eggs, pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract. Whisk together until uniform, then add the flour mixture and whisk until smooth.
4. Pour the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and bake for 32-36 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Cool the cakes completely to room temp before frosting!

#pumpkincake #creamcheesefrosting #layercake #cake #fallbaking
EASY HOMEMADE SALTED CARAMEL✨(recipe below) even i EASY HOMEMADE SALTED CARAMEL✨(recipe below) even if you’ve never made salted caramel from scratch before, this recipe is VERY beginner friendly + nearly fail proof! There are only 4 ingredients involved, no candy thermometer required, and takes just 10 minutes to make 👏🏽 this is my go-to caramel for drip cakes, drizzling desserts, flavoring coffee, adding it to buttercream, and so much more! 🍯  
 
Full recipe (with video + detailed instructions) linked in my bio or at https://sugarandsparrow.com/salted-caramel-recipe/
⁣ 
SALTED CARAMEL 
Yield: 1.25 Cup⁣s
⁣⁣ 
Ingredients:⁣⁣ 
1 Cup (200g) white granulated sugar⁣⁣ 
6 Tbsp (85g) unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into cubes⁣⁣ 
1/2 Cup (120ml) heavy whipping cream, room temperature⁣⁣ 
1 1/4 tsp kosher salt⁣⁣ 
⁣⁣ 
Instructions:⁣⁣ 
1. Place the sugar in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat and stir constantly until it melts into an amber-colored liquid and no sugar clumps remain, 5-6 minutes. ⁣⁣ 
2. Reduce the heat to medium. Carefully add the butter (it will bubble up when you do) and use a whisk to combine it with the sugar mixture until the butter is fully melted and incorporated, 2-3 minutes. ⁣⁣ 
3. Add the heavy whipping cream in a steady stream while whisking. As soon as the cream is incorporated, let the caramel boil for a full minute before removing it from the heat and stirring in the salt. ⁣⁣ 
4. Let the caramel cool to room temperature before using it in a cake recipe or as a drip. If you’re using it to drizzle over ice cream or warm baked goods, you only need to cool it slightly (20 minutes or so). It will thicken as it cools. ⁣⁣ 
⁣⁣ 
#caramel #saltedcaramel #bakedfromscratch #caramelcake #caramelsauce

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