And just like that, I have a one year old (my blog baby, of course)! I can’t believe it’s only been a year since I launched Sugar & Sparrow, and I am so, so happy I pressed the publish button back then. It’s been such a joy to share my recipes and cake decorating tutorials with you, and I’m looking forward to all that’s to come! I’ve just got all the feels about this.
First birthday parties are my absolute favorite, mostly because it’s so much fun to watch a little babe figure out how to eat cake for the first time! My tiniest niece turned one a few weeks ago, and I was so delighted to get to make her smash cake. It got me thinking about sharing my best tips on smash cakes with all of you, since they’re super easy to make and the perfect DIY project if you’re planning a first birthday for your little one (or in charge of the cake for someone else’s babe). From the perfect sized cake pans to a great vanilla cake recipe and decorating ideas, I’ve got you covered!
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 definitely grown, and I get tons of questions asking what my secret is. The truth is, chocolate ganache has definitely put me through the wringer before, especially white chocolate ganache, which used to be my absolute nemesis. Don’t worry, I’ll share my secrets for white chocolate ganache another day because it deserves it’s very own post (but if you’re dying to know my white chocolate ganache recipe I’ve included it in the recipe notes below).
True chocolate ganache has tested my patience as well, but after figuring out the perfect ratio for chocolate to heavy whipping cream and learning the do’s and dont’s of drip cakes, I’ve got it down to a science these days. And now you will too!
A few months ago I got an email from Manda at Mae & Co asking me to collaborate on a styled wedding photoshoot by creating some pretty cakes. Little did I know how insanely good she is at what she does, and I was beyond blown away seeing her creative vision come to life. The theme was Rustic Italian Dream, and the color palette she sent over was dreamy as could be. When I walked in to the venue and saw everything coming together, from intricate floral work and tablescapes to the most beautiful wedding dresses I have ever seen, I was sold on the fact that Manda is a styling wizard. If you’re planning a wedding or elopement and want it to be the most stunning day of your life, you need to call her up. She will take care of everything.
Of all the things you can paint with, buttercream remains one my favorite artistic mediums. Yes, it’s only temporary art because it’s the edible kind, but there are so many ways you can get creative with colors and techniques! One of the simplest edible art projects you can do is create a watercolor buttercream masterpiece as a cake finish, and although this tutorial focuses on how to get the look with a watercolor ombre, you can easily use this same technique on your entire cake.
