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beginners

cake decorating tools for beginners

April 11, 2023 · In: Cake Basics, Featured, Tools

Essential Cake Decorating Tools for Beginners

I can clearly remember the day I set out to my local craft store in search of my very first cake decorating tools. I had absolutely no prior cake decorating…

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Welcome to Sugar & Sparrow

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WHIPPED CREAM CHEESE FROSTING ☁️ this easy 4-ingre WHIPPED CREAM CHEESE FROSTING ☁️ this easy 4-ingredient whipped cream frosting is deliciously light, comes together SO easily, and is stabilized with cream cheese to make it the perfect thick consistency for filling and frosting cakes and cupcakes!! It’s so good with my strawberry shortcake sheet cake and berries & cream cake and I have a feeling I’m going to be whipping it up for many more summer cakes😍

Full recipe with cake pairing suggestions at https://sugarandsparrow.com/whipped-cream-cheese-frosting/ 

INGREDIENTS 
1 Cup (8oz, 226g) full-fat brick-style cream cheese*, cold see notes for substitution options
1 Cup (120g) powdered sugar
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 1/2 Cups (600ml) heavy whipping cream, cold

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Chill the bowl of your stand mixer (or the large bowl you’ll be using with your hand mixer) into the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
2. Into the cold mixing bowl, add the cream cheese and beat on medium speed with the whisk attachment until creamy, 2 min. Add the powdered sugar and mix on low speed until mostly incorporated, then turn the mixer to medium-high speed and mix for 1 min.
3. Add the vanilla extract, then turn the mixer to medium-high speed and slowly pour in the heavy whipping cream (down the side of the bowl so it doesn’t fly everywhere). Once all the cream is added, continue mixing on medium-high for just about 30 seconds longer, keeping a close eye on the mixing bowl to watch it thicken. It should come together into a thick, silky frosting consistency at this point, where you can dip the whisk into the frosting and it holds a slight peak when you hold it upright.
4. Use the frosting immediately to decorate cakes and/or cupcakes for best results!

#whippedcreamfrosting #creamcheesefrosting #cakedecorating #whippedcream #frosting
TOP 10 4TH OF JULY DESSERTS 🎆 These are just a few TOP 10 4TH OF JULY DESSERTS 🎆 These are just a few of my favorite summer dessert recipes that will disappear at any Fourth of July celebration.

Comment “JULY” and I’ll send you all 20+ of my favorite 4th of July dessert ideas – naturally red white and blue desserts like my berries and cream cake, easy no-bake desserts, no-churn ice cream, strawberry shortcake inspired recipes, and all the treats that will go FAST at any barbecue.

https://sugarandsparrow.com/4th-of-july-desserts/

#fourthofjuly #4thofjuly #summerdessert #partycake #dessertideas
STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE COOKIE BARS 🍓my hot take: str STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE COOKIE BARS 🍓my hot take: strawberry shortcake toppings on a buttery, soft sugar cookie base is WAY BETTER than traditional strawberry shortcake. I topped my favorite sugar cookie bar recipe with silky whipped cream cheese frosting + homemade strawberry sauce and now I’m ruined 😵

Full recipe is linked in my bio + at https://sugarandsparrow.com/strawberry-shortcake-cookie-bars/ 

SOFT SUGAR COOKIE BARS
2 Cups + 2 Tbsp (283g) all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 Cup (170g) unsalted butter, room temp
1 Cup (200g) granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF (177ºC). Grease and line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang for easy release.
2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment (or hand mixer) cream together the butter and sugar on high speed until pale and fluffy, 2-3 min.
4. Turn the mixer to medium and add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla. Mix until combined, then add the flour mixture and mix on low speed until a uniform cookie dough forms.
5. Press the cookie dough into the prepared pan in an even layer, all the way to the edges. Bake for 18-20 minutes, until the edges are just starting to brown. 
6. Cool the sugar cookie bars in the pan for 30 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Top with whipped cream cheese frosting and strawberry sauce (full recipe linked in my bio!)

#strawberryshortcake #strawberries #whippedcreamfrosting #cookiebars #sugarcookies
BLACK FOREST CAKE 🍒 this is my favorite thing to m BLACK FOREST CAKE 🍒 this is my favorite thing to make during cherry season! My version is decadent chocolate cake soaked with homemade cherry syrup, fresh cherry filling, and whipped cream frosting. Top it with a chocolate ganache drip if you want to go the extra mile! 

Full recipe + decorating tutorial is linked in my bio + at https://sugarandsparrow.com/black-forest-cake-recipe/

PS I’m working on a sheet cake version of this recipe that’s even easier! Stay tuned.

#blackforestcake #cherrycake #chocolatecake #cherries #cakedecorating
LAVENDER BUTTERCREAM (recipe below) 💜 steeping dri LAVENDER BUTTERCREAM (recipe below) 💜 steeping dried culinary lavender in simmered milk is the KEY to the most amazing, natural, perfectly balanced lavender flavor in this frosting! It’s the ideal consistency for cake decorating + tastes incredible with my blackberry lavender cake, lemon lavender cake, and london fog cake (all of those recipes are on my blog) 🙌🏽 

Full recipe and cake pairing suggestions at https://sugarandsparrow.com/lavender-buttercream/ 💜✨⁣⁣

Lavender Buttercream ⁣
Yield: 2.5 Cups⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Ingredients:⁣⁣
1/4 Cup whole milk⁣⁣
1 Tbsp dried culinary lavender⁣⁣
1 Cup (227g) unsalted butter, room temperature⁣⁣
3 1/2 Cups (420g) powdered sugar⁣⁣
1 tsp pure vanilla extract⁣⁣
1/4 tsp salt, or to taste⁣⁣
2-4 drops purple food coloring* optional⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Instructions:⁣⁣
1. Bring the milk to a simmer + stir in the dried culinary lavender. Remove from heat and steep the lavender milk for 15 minutes, then strain the out buds over a small bowl. Allow the lavender milk to cool completely.⁣⁣
2. Beat the butter until it’s creamy and light in color, about 5 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, add the powdered sugar a few cups at a time, scraping down after each addition. Add the lavender milk, vanilla, salt, and food coloring (if using) and continue mixing on low speed until fully combined and smooth.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
#lavendar #lavendercake #buttercream #frosting #purplecake

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