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Sugar & Sparrow

Lifestyle and Cake from Portland Oregon

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chocolate ganache

oreo cookies and cream cake

July 27, 2025 · In: Cake, Featured, Recipes

Oreo Layer Cake Recipe

I absolutely LOVE Oreo cookies, so I made sure this cake has the best Oreo flavor in every way. It starts with layers of soft and moist black velvet cake…

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whipped chocolate ganache for cakes

April 11, 2025 · In: Featured, Filling, Frosting, Recipes

Whipped Chocolate Ganache

This whipped chocolate ganache is rich and chocolatey without being overly sweet and so simple to make. It has the consistency of buttercream frosting which makes it so easy to…

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easy chocolate mousse cake with raspberries

January 14, 2025 · In: Cake, Featured, Recipes, Seasonal, Valentines

Easy Chocolate Mousse Cake

This chocolate mousse cake is a chocolate lover’s DREAM. It’s three exquisite layers of chocolate in one beautiful and easy dessert: a rich and decadent chocolate cake with a generous…

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funfetti birthday cake recipe

June 4, 2023 · In: Cake, Featured, Recipes

Double Funfetti Birthday Cake

Like many cake makers do, I made my own birthday cake this year! I actually do this as a tradition every year but normally fail to document it in a…

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raspberry chocolate cake recipe

February 1, 2021 · In: Cake, Featured, Recipes, Seasonal, Valentines

Raspberry Chocolate Cake Recipe

One of the very first recipes I put on this blog was this Raspberry Buttercream recipe. It’s one of my favorite buttercream recipes ever – ultra flavorful, not too sweet,…

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almond joy cake recipe by sugar and sparrow

October 28, 2020 · In: Cake, Recipes, Seasonal, Winter

Almond Joy Cake Recipe

If there are fun-sized Almond Joys anywhere in my general proximity, I will eat them. All of them. I just love the flavor combination of sweet coconut, milk chocolate, and…

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chocolate ganache drip cake recipe sugar and sparrow

September 16, 2020 · In: Cake Basics, Decorations & Garnishes, Recipes, Tutorials

Chocolate Ganache Drip Cake Recipe + Tutorial (with Video!)

One of my favorite easy things to dress up a cake is to do a chocolate ganache drip finish. Over the years, my ability to create the drip look has…

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banana split cupcakes recipe

June 12, 2019 · In: Cupcakes, Featured, Recipes, Seasonal, Summer

Banana Split Cupcakes Recipe

Hooray that it’s nearly summertime! It’s my favorite time of year, mainly because Portland gets sunny and so picturesque. I just want to be outside 24/7 soaking it all up!…

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milk and cookies cake

February 8, 2019 · In: Cake, Featured, Recipes

Milk & Cookies Cake Recipe

One of my favorite go-to things to bake are actually the simplest things ever: chocolate chip cookies. I don’t have a fancy recipe (I literally just use the one on…

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Welcome to Sugar & Sparrow

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smores ice cream cake recipe by sugar and sparrow

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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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