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Sugar & Sparrow

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baking

how to scale a cake recipe

May 29, 2023 · In: FAQ, Featured

How to Scale a Cake Recipe Up or Down

Let’s say you’re all geared up to make a cake recipe and realize that you don’t have the pan size the recipe calls for. Or the recipe is written for…

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how to convert layer cake recipes into cupcakes

April 17, 2023 · In: FAQ, Featured

How to Bake My Layer Cake Recipes as Cupcakes

Sometimes you just need cupcakes. They can be so convenient for gatherings since they’re already a single serving, plus they’re quick to whip up if you’re having a personal craving…

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raspberry buttercream frosting recipe by sugar and sparrow

January 19, 2023 · In: Featured, Frosting, Recipes, Seasonal, Valentines

Freeze Dried Raspberry Buttercream Recipe

The other day I had an epiphany while I was perusing the aisles at Trader Joe’s. I stumbled upon their selection of freeze dried fruits and when I saw the…

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why did my cake sink in the middle

July 17, 2020 · In: FAQ

Common Reasons Why Cakes Sink

It happens to the best of us: you spend all this time mixing up cake batter and feeling extra optimistic about those future cake layers, come to find that when…

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vanilla buttercream recipe for cake decorating

May 21, 2020 · In: Cake Basics, Frosting, Recipes

Vanilla Buttercream Recipe

This easy vanilla buttercream recipe is my go-to American buttercream for cakes and cupcakes. It’s rich, creamy, full of vanilla flavor, and less sweet than traditional American buttercream thanks to…

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using a kitchen scale

October 5, 2018 · In: Featured, Tools

Baking With The Metric System: My New OXO Kitchen Scale

I’ve had a love for baking for as long as I can remember, but never before have I owned a kitchen scale. When following recipes, I’ve always lucked out finding…

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March 26, 2018 · In: Cake Basics

Baking Cakes That Never Stick To The Pan

Call me a perfectionist, but I am always smitten by cakes that come out of the pan so perfectly baked that the sides are straight and sharp. Maybe it’s because…

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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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Featured Posts

apple cupcakes with salted caramel buttercream and salted caramel topping

Caramel Apple Cupcakes

chocolate peanut butter cake recipe by sugar and sparrow

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake Recipe

small batch lemon cake recipe by sugar and sparrow

Small Batch Lemon Cake

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@sugarandsparrowco

BLACK VELVET CAKE 🖤 can you believe that this deli BLACK VELVET CAKE 🖤 can you believe that this deliciously moist all-black cake is made with ZERO FOOD COLORING?! The magic of black cocoa powder creates the perfect black cake + dye-free black buttercream for the ultimate Halloween party cake that won’t turn anyone’s mouth black 👻 plus it tastes like Oreo cookies so I’m obsessed!!

Full recipe (with black buttercream + my fave black cocoa powder) linked in my bio or at https://sugarandsparrow.com/black-velvet-cake-recipe/
 
You’ll also find recipes for a cupcake version, a vegan version, and a small batch version if you search “black velvet” at https://sugarandsparrow.com 
 
BLACK VELVET CAKE  
2 Cups (265g) all purpose flour 
1 2/3 Cups (340g) granulated sugar 
2/3 Cup (80g) black cocoa powder 
2 tsp baking soda 
1 tsp baking powder 
1/2 tsp salt 
1/2 Cup (120ml) vegetable oil 
2 large eggs, room temperature 
1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract 
1 Cup (240ml) full-fat buttermilk, room temp
1 Cup (240ml) hot coffee or hot water 
 
INSTRUCTIONS 
1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Grease and line three 6-inch or two 8-inch cake pans. 
2. In a large bowl, whisk together all of the dry ingredients. Add the vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk and whisk together. Slowly pour in the hot coffee (or hot water) and whisk until combined. 
3. Pour into prepared cake pans and bake for 32-36 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool before frosting with black buttercream. Full recipe (with frosting!) linked in my bio✨⁣⁣⁣ 
⁣ 
*If you can’t find buttermilk, mix together 1 Cup (240ml) whole milk + 1 Tbsp white vinegar as a substitute. ⁣ 
⁣⁣⁣ 
#blackcake #blackbuttercream #blackvelvetcake #cakedecorating #halloweencake
SALTED CARAMEL APPLE CAKE 🍏🍯 layers of deliciously SALTED CARAMEL APPLE CAKE 🍏🍯 layers of deliciously moist apple spice cake and salted caramel buttercream drizzled with homemade salted caramel sauce (which is also used to drip the cake and coat the apple on top). Such a classic Fall cake that is so fun to decorate with that dripping caramel apple! 

Comment RECIPE to get the full recipe + decorating tutorial sent to you! Or find it at https://sugarandsparrow.com/caramel-apple-cake-recipe/ 

Here’s what readers have said about this cake:

“This cake is one of the most delicious cakes I have ever had in my life! My husband also said he wants this for his birthday from now on! Fantastic recipe!” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“I just baked this cake with intentions to sell by the slice but once I posted it someone wanted to buy the whole thing… RIGHT NOW!!! Thanks for the recipe.” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“I just made this cake for Thanksgiving and it was a hit! The salted caramel buttercream perfectly offset the spiciness of the apple cake. If you’re looking for a cake that celebrates fall flavors, I highly recommend it.” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“I made this for Thanksgiving and wow! Everyone wants me to make it at Christmas too! Even my husband, who doesn’t usually like sweets had two pieces and said I nailed it. It was a big hit with my family.” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
 
#saltedcaramel #applecake #caramelcake #cakedecorating #fallbaking
MONSTER HALLOWEEN CAKE 👀 🥳 give me a handful of pi MONSTER HALLOWEEN CAKE 👀 🥳 give me a handful of piping tips and some googly eyes sprinkles and this is what happens 😆 I love this cake design so much because you can truly go with the flow with your buttercream piping. The googly eyes will make that piping come alive! 
⁣
The full tutorial is linked in my bio + at https://sugarandsparrow.com/buttercream-monster-cake-tutorial/
⁣
👩🏽‍🍳 buttercream recipe: my vanilla buttercream at https://sugarandsparrow.com/vanilla-buttercream-recipe/
🎨 frosting colors: @americolor Electric Green, Electric Purple, Orange, and Deep Pink + added black cocoa powder for the black piping⁣
✨piping tips: @wiltoncakes 1M, 104, 4B, 233, 10, and 16 ⁣
👀 eye sprinkles: @michaelsstores
⁣
#monstercake #halloweencake #cakedecorating #halloweenparty
#buttercream
APPLE CRISP CAKE 🍏I took everything I love about a APPLE CRISP CAKE 🍏I took everything I love about apple crisp and turned it into the ultimate layer cake with deliciously moist spiced apple cake, homemade apple pie filling, buttery crumble topping, and cinnamon-vanilla buttercream. This cake is packed with warm fall flavors, incredible textures, and truly tastes like apple crisp in cake form! 🙌🏽

Comment RECIPE and I’ll send it to you! Or find it linked in my bio + https://sugarandsparrow.com/apple-crisp-cake-recipe/

#applecake #layercake #cakedecorating #fallbaking #applecrisp
CARAMEL APPLE CUPCAKES 🍏deliciously moist, perfect 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 ask me! 

Comment RECIPE and I’ll send it to you! Or find it linked in my bio + at https://sugarandsparrow.com/caramel-apple-cupcakes/

#applecupcakes #saltedcaramel #caramelcupcakes #fallbaking #caramelapple

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