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Everything I Baked in April

April 29, 2026 · In: Featured, Lifestyle, Recipes

There’s something so satisfying about looking back on a month in the kitchen – the flavors I was inspired by, the recipes that came together easily, but especially the recipes that challenged me. April was all about light and refreshing Spring/Summer flavors like lemon, strawberry, raspberry, and a classic hummingbird cake that you readers have been requesting for years. I published 5 new recipes, made 2 of my existing recipes for friends, and finalized 2 recipes that will be coming your way in May!

Whitney DePaoli of Sugar & Sparrow with cupcakes

New April Recipes

Here are the latest recipes that went live on my site in April:

Strawberry Lemon Cake
strawberry lemon cake recipe

Vanilla Raspberry Layer Cake
vanilla raspberry layer cake recipe with raspberry filling and raspberry frosting

Strawberry Cupcakes
strawberry cupcakes recipe with strawberry frosting
Hummingbird Cake
hummingbird cake recipe by sugar and sparrow

Seedless Raspberry Cake Filling
seedless raspberry filling recipe for cake and cupcakes

Recipes I Revisited

There were a couple events that I donated desserts to this month, and it was such a good feeling to revisit these recipes and confirm that they’re just as delicious as I remember:

Oreo Cupcakes
black velvet cupcakes with oreo buttercream

This Oreo cupcake recipe went live last year but I got to make them for a church fundraiser and enjoyed them all over again!

Matcha Cake
Matcha cake with edible moss

I made a double batch of my matcha cake recipe as a sheet cake for my good friend’s rebrand event! I topped it with edible moss, pretty piping, chamomile, and a buttercream transfer for the logo.


Coming Soon

And here are some recipes I obsessed over, went through many rounds of testing, and are in the process of being published to my site! You’ll see them live in May.

Lemon Cupcakes with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

Zesty lemon cupcakes that are so fluffy and moist + lemon cream cheese buttercream. Heaven.

No-Bake Marbled Strawberry Cheesecake
no bake marbled strawberry cheesecake

My favorite no-bake cheesecake base, marbled with the prettiest strawberry compote. Perfect for Spring and Summer!

whitney depaoli from sugar & sparrow holding a cupcake

I hope you love these new recipes! I had a blast making them. If there are any dessert recipes you’re craving, leave me a comment and they might make it onto my baking list!

By: Whitney · In: Featured, Lifestyle, Recipes · Tagged: everything I baked

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Comments

  1. Debbie says

    April 30, 2026 at 2:15 pm

    Whitney, I saw your recipe for the Swiss Buttercream. If I am looking to make a cream cheese Swiss Buttercream, how much cream cheese would I need?

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      May 1, 2026 at 9:31 am

      Hi Debbie! I’ve never made cream cheese flavored Swiss Meringue Buttercream so I’m not sure how to go about adding cream cheese to this recipe. Instead, I would look for a dedicated cream cheese Swiss Meringue Buttercream and follow that. This one looks thoroughly tested: https://korenainthekitchen.com/2013/03/28/cream-cheese-swiss-meringue-buttercream-frosting-success/

      Reply

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SALTED CARAMEL BUTTERCREAM ✨I could eat this salty SALTED CARAMEL BUTTERCREAM ✨I could eat this salty-sweet caramel frosting by the spoonful but it’s absolutely delicious on cakes, cupcakes, macarons, and more 🙌🏽 I use my homemade EASY salted caramel recipe here but you can use any salted caramel sauce that you love.⁣

✨Full recipe (including homemade salted caramel) + cake pairing suggestions are on my blog at https://sugarandsparrow.com/salted-caramel-buttercream-recipe/ 
⁣
SALTED CARAMEL BUTTERCREAM⁣
Yield: 2.5 Cups ⁣
⁣
INGREDIENTS⁣
1 Cup (226g) unsalted butter, room temperature⁣
3 1/2 Cups (420g) powdered sugar⁣
2 tsp vanilla extract⁣
1/2 Cup (120ml) salted caramel sauce, room temperature⁣
Pinch of salt⁣
⁣
INSTRUCTIONS:⁣
1. In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whip the butter on high until it’s creamy and light in color, 5-6 minutes. ⁣
2. Turn the mixer to low and add the powdered sugar a few cups at a time, scraping down the bowl and paddle after each interval.⁣
3. With the mixer still on low, mix in the vanilla extract, salted caramel, and a pinch of salt. Continue mixing on low speed until fully combined. ⁣
⁣
#saltedcaramel #caramel #cakedecorating #frosting #buttercream
NO-CHURN BERRY CRISP ICE CREAM✨you don’t need any NO-CHURN BERRY CRISP ICE CREAM✨you don’t need any fancy equipment to whip up this delicious ice cream that tastes JUST like berry crisp a la mode! I layered my favorite 3-ingredient no-churn vanilla ice cream base with ribbons of homemade berry filling + buttery oat streusel in every bite. Even if you’ve never made ice cream from scratch before, I promise you can master this recipe!! 
 
🍦Full recipe linked in my bio or find it at https://sugarandsparrow.com/no-churn-berry-crisp-ice-cream/

#nochurnicecream #icecream #icecreamlover #berries #summerdessert
STRAWBERRY SHEET CAKE 🍓based on my favorite strawb STRAWBERRY SHEET CAKE 🍓based on my favorite strawberry layer cake recipe, this sheet cake version is so fun to decorate + such a crowd pleaser! I love using a combination of fresh and freeze-dried strawberries to create the most powerful authentic flavor ✨
 
🍓Full recipe (with strawberry buttercream) at https://sugarandsparrow.com/strawberry-sheet-cake-recipe/
⁣ 
STRAWBERRY SHEET CAKE⁣ 
Serves 24
⁣ 
INGREDIENTS⁣ 
1 Cup (12oz) fresh strawberries, pureed ⁣ 
3/4 Cup (180ml) whole milk, room temp⁣ 
2 1/2 Cups (265g) sifted cake flour⁣ 
2 tsp baking powder⁣ 
1/4 tsp baking soda⁣ 
1/2 tsp salt⁣ 
3/4 Cup (170g) unsalted butter, room temp⁣ 
1 2/3 Cups (350g) granulated sugar⁣ 
3 large eggs, room temp⁣ 
1/3 Cup (75g) sour cream, room temp⁣ 
2 tsp pure vanilla extract⁣ 
1-2 drops pink food coloring (optional)⁣ 
⁣ 
INSTRUCTIONS⁣ 
1. Simmer the strawberry puree in a saucepan over medium-low heat for 30-35 minutes, stirring occasionally. At this point the puree should have reduced from 1 Cup to 1/2 Cup (if you have more, keep cooking!). Refrigerate until room temp, then whisk together with the whole milk and set aside.⁣ 
2. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Grease and line a 13×9 inch baking pan. 
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the sifted cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. ⁣ 
4. In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, whip the butter on high until creamy, 2 min. Add the sugar and beat with the butter until light and fluffy, 2 min. Turn the mixer to low and add the eggs one at a time. Add the vanilla and sour cream, then turn the mixer to high and beat for 1 minute.⁣ 
5. With the mixer on low, add all of the dry ingredients at once until just combined, then add the strawberry milk mixture and pink food coloring (if using) until just combined. Give the batter a few stirs by hand to make sure everything is incorporated without over-mixing. ⁣ 
6. Pour batter into the prepared cake pan and bake for 35-40 minutes. ⁣ Cool completely to room temperature before topping with strawberry buttercream (full recipe at the li
COOKIES & CREAM ICE CREAM CAKE 🤎 If you’re an Oreo COOKIES & CREAM ICE CREAM CAKE 🤎 If you’re an Oreo lover, this is your sign to make an ice cream cake this summer: no-churn cookies & cream ice cream set on an Oreo cookie crust, topped with hot fudge and whipped cream frosting. The perfect amount of Oreos in EVERY BITE! 

Full recipe link in my bio + at https://sugarandsparrow.com/cookies-and-cream-ice-cream-cake/ 

OREO CRUST
22 Oreo cookies
5 Tbsp melted butter

ICE CREAM LAYER
2 Cups (480ml) heavy whipping cream, cold
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
14 Oz sweetened condensed milk
15 Oreo cookies, roughly chopped

TOPPINGS
12.8 Oz jar of hot fudge
Whipped cream frosting (see full recipe link)
4 Oreo cookies, chopped

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Mix together the Oreo crust ingredients and pack tightly into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Freeze while you make the ice cream.
2. In a chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream and vanilla to stiff peaks. Fold in the sweetened condensed milk until uniform, then fold in the chopped Oreos. Pile the ice cream on top of the Oreo crust, smooth it down, cover and freeze overnight.
3. When the ice cream layer is set, top with the hot fudge, whipped cream frosting, and more chopped Oreos. Store in the freezer until ready to serve! 

#oreocake #icecreamcake #nochurnicecream #birthdaycake #cookiesandcream
EASY OREO ICEBOX CAKE (recipe below) 🤎 You only ne EASY OREO ICEBOX CAKE (recipe below) 🤎 You only need 4 ingredients for this recipe and it sets into the perfect summer dessert in the refrigerator overnight! It’s 7 alternating layers of Oreos and homemade whipped cream + every bite tastes like a perfect milk-dunked Oreo in the very best way ✨
 
Full recipe at https://sugarandsparrow.com/oreo-icebox-cake/ 
 
INGREDIENTS: 
2 Cups (480ml) cold heavy whipping cream 
1/4 Cup (30g) powdered sugar 
1 tsp pure vanilla extract 
36 Oreo cookies 
 
INSTRUCTIONS: 
1. Add the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract into a chilled mixing bowl. Using the whisk attachment on your stand mixer or a hand mixer, beat the ingredients until stiff peaks form. 
2. Line a loaf pan with plastic wrap, then add a thin layer of the whipped cream onto the bottom of the pan. Add a layer of Oreo cookies on top (cut some of the Oreos to fit as needed). 
3. Add 1/3 of the remaining whipped cream on top of the Oreo layer, followed by a second layer of Oreos. Repeat until you have seven total layers, ending with whipped cream. 
4. Cover the cake and refrigerate overnight, then enjoy!  
 
#oreocake #vintagecake #nobakecake #oreo #nobake

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