Introducing the Color Wheel Cake

We happen to be celebrating a pretty big milestone today at Brit + Co. It’s our very first birthday! So naturally, we had to bake a cake. But not just any cake, a Color Wheel Cake!

Ingredients:
– 1 box of cake mix + oil and eggs (or alternatives)

– white frosting

– food coloring (pink, red, orange, yellow, green, teal, blue, purple)

Mix up your cake mix as directed or try one of our skinny recipes using apple sauce, greek yogurt, or diet coke.

Spoon your batter into the pan.

Plan out your color wheel based on food coloring you have. Mix food coloring into each slice. We used skewers as mixing tools.

Now you’ve got your colors ready to go!

We had a little extra batter so we also whipped up a tie dye cake. So many swirls!

Bake 15-20 minutes. To check if the cake is cooked all the way through, do the old toothpick trick (stick a toothpick into a slice – if it comes out clean, the cake is ready).

Take the cake out of the oven and let cool. As you can see, our slices rose quite a lot.

Use a sharp knife to cut off the puffed up part to give your cake a cleaner look. (Give the cut off pieces to your coworkers or sous chef!)

Place the slices on a cake stand or plate. As you can see, they don’t quite fit together. That’s what frosting is for!

Since we won’t be frosting the top of the cake, we can go heavy on the frosting in between each slice.

And that’s it!!

Happy Birthday to us!!

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You’ve got your annual Fourth of July cookout responsibilities down pat. One friend brings the pasta salad, another gladly takes care of the grilled veggie sides, and then you are happily in charge of the patriotic flag cake. But this year, you might want to shake things up. We’ve got 15 red, white, and blue cupcakes and cakes with broad stripes and bright stars to celebrate Independence Day in style.

Flag Cake

Oh Sweet Basil

No dessert is more patriotic than a full-blown flag cake adorned with white icing, ruby raspberries, and blueberries. (via Oh Sweet Basil)

4th of July Cupcakes

The Little Blonde Baker

Red, white, and blue are twirled to perfection to give you these slightly psychedelic vanilla cupcakes; they’re topped with a finger-lickin’ buttercream that you can easily make on your own. (via The Little Blonde Baker)

Red, White, and Blue Funfetti Cupcakes

Treats and Trends

Funfetti has become a birthday *must,* but we’re bringin’ it for the Fourth of July with these gloriously festive cupcakes slathered in buttercream frosting. (via Treats and Trends)

Red, White, and Blue Cake Pops

Love Maegan

With a white chocolate coating and festive sprinkles, these gorgeous cake pops are a total crowd-pleaser. They’re also really fun and easy to make, so get the kids to help! (via Love Maegan)

Red, White, and Blue Cake

What Should I Make For...

This naked layered red velvet cake skips the festive sprinkles and replaces them with fresh berries. (via What Should I Make For…)

Fourth of July Peanut Butter Cookie Cake

Sweetest Menu

What your Fourth of July party REALLY needs is an oversized peanut butter cookie cake covered in red and blue chocolate candies. (via Sweetest Menu)

Firecracker Cake

Love Bakes Good Cakes

With red, white, and blue drips of delicious frosting, this vanilla cake is as exciting on the inside as it is on the outside, thanks to some crafty yet simple techniques. (via Love Bakes Good Cakes)

Patriotic Swirl Cupcakes

Two Sisters Crafting

It’s hard to beat colorful swirls of buttercream sitting atop moist and crumbly chocolate cupcakes, amirite? Follow the simple tutorial and WOW your pals. (via Two Sisters Crafting)

Low Carb 4th of July Vanilla Berry Cake

It's Autumn's Life

If this vanilla berry cake proves anything, it’s that you can still be festive while keeping things clean and simple. Decorated with sweet strawberries and blackberries, this dessert is low in carbs but big on flavor. (via It’s Autumn’s Life)

Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes

Our Family of Seven

This recipe brings cupcakes to a whole new level by filling ice cream cones with batter before baking. They’re then topped with icing as usual, and a maraschino cherry for good measure. (via Our Family of Seven)

Easy July 4th Ice Cream Cake

Just A Taste

This cooling ice cream cake is made with frozen pound cake, your choice of raspberry or strawberry sorbet, and a whipped topping that’s decked out in fresh berries and patriotic goodies. (via Just a Taste)

Red Velvet 4th of July Cupcakes

Your Cup Of Cake

These ruby cakes are brimming with red velvety goodness and whipped cream icing, and topped with fresh blueberries for a touch of blue. (via Your Cup of Cake)

Red, White, and Blue Cake

Preppy Kitchen

Bring this gawk-worthy petal cake to your Fourth of July cookout and treat your friends to three decadent layers of spongy cake and buttercream. (via Preppy Kitchen)

Red, White, and Blue Patriotic Cupcakes

Pack Momma

Speared with sparkling stars, these cupcakes boast American pride with colorful icing and cake layers. (via Pack Momma)

American Flag Cake

Cooking Is Messy

This cake might seem run-of-the-mill at first glance, but when you cut into it and reveal your mad baking skills, guests will be left in a complete state of awe. (via Cooking Is Messy)

This post has been updated.

My best friends mean the world to me, and though I wish I could give them the world, this year, I just want to get them gifts that are as special as our friendship. Whether it’s a personalized pendant, a cute skincare set, or the lip shade they simply can’t stop talking about, I want them to know just how much I care about their companionship! Thus, I’ve curated the ultimate list of gifts for best friends to help you gift your besties something they’ll truly love, especially if it comes from you. These gifts are so good, I really want them for myself, too.

Our 40 favorite gifts for best friends:

Scroll on to see the absolute best gifts for best friends to give in 2024!

Amazon

1. Scent Beauty by Sabrina Carpenter Cherry Baby Eau de Parfum

Leave it to Sabrina Carpenter to influence my list of gifts for best friends. Her "Cherry Baby" scent carries sultry notes of vanilla, peony, cherries, and chocolate, which is the perfect aroma for a night out with the girls.

Summer Fridays

2. Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm

This lip balm is viral for a reason. Your besties' lips deserve all the instant moisture, color, and shine this tube provides. This brown sugar shade looks decadent AF, but you can also snag it in other fun 'flavors' like iced coffee and mint.

Urban Outfitters

3. Camp Snap Screen-Free Digital Camera

For the one that's always documenting the friend group's antics, they'll enjoy taking this unique, screen-free digicam on nights out, weekend trips, and cozy nights in! It captures film-style photos (without the time-consuming film photography process), and it can be used over and over again since it's rechargeable.

SeaVees

4. SeaVees Hayward Platform Shoes

Moccasin-style shoes are super popular this winter. I love how comfortable SeaVees' shoes are, so I might just have to share the love with my besties this holiday season... and snag a pair for myself so we can match, of course!

Dieux

5. Dieux Angel Face Cleanser + Moisturizer Bundle

Dieux is one of my go-to skincare brands for effective products that still take it easy on my sensitive skin. Their Baptism cleanser, part of this giftable duo, provides a nice clean without stripping any moisture from my skin. I also use their Instant Angel moisturizer religiously in the wintertime since things tend to get real dry. I'd say you can confidently gift this set to besties of any skin type.

Anthropologie

6. By Anthropologie Monogram Heart Locket Necklace

Personalized gifts will always feel special. Kick this gift idea up a notch by inserting a little pic of you and your BFF in the locket before wrapping and handing it over!

Urban Outfitters

7. Baggu Mini Nylon Shoulder Bag

I carry this Baggu bag just about everywhere I go. It's perfect for happy hours or dinners since it's small and not too much of a hassle to tow along, but don't let its size fool you: this baby can fit a lot. Your most stylish best friend will be wearing it the moment they open their gift!

Target

8. Jingle & Mingle 5 Days of Rosé Wine Set

You can never go wrong with rosé, baby! This gift set carries 5 personal-sized bottles of different varieties for them to sip on around the holidays.

Kulfi Beauty

9. Kulfi Beauty All Night Out Eye Set

This eye makeup set is complete with a bold eyeliner shade and a shimmery pot of eyeshadow. You get to choose the exact shades of each before purchasing, so this is truly one of the most fun personalized gift ideas. The set also comes with a funky pair of mismatched hair clips – so cute!

Dame

10. Dame Massage Oil Candle

This soothing candle melts down into a sweet-smelling massage oil that's easily dispensable, thanks to the pointed spout on the glass. This is a great gift for your single and partnered pals alike, whether they're using it to wind down themselves or for sexy time with their S.O.!

Life is Good

11. Life is Good 'I Deserve A Little Treat' Boxy Crusher Tee

Everyone deserves a little treat. Wrap up this awesome (and comfy!) tee alongside your bestie's favorite snack, sweet treat, or freshly-baked dessert to totally nail their gift this year!

Compartés

12. Compartés Pistachio Sea Salt Chocolate Truffles

These aesthetically-pleasing truffles could be the perfect sweet treat in question!

Nordstrom

13. OSEA Super Glow Body Set

I know anyone in my close friends circle would be happy to be gifted some nice skincare goodies. This luxe set from OSEA comes with a body wash, oil, and serum to keep skin looking and feeling happy!

Subscribe to our newsletter for even more holiday gift ideas!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

When you think of protein bars,flavored popcorn or gooey cinnamon buns, cake batter probably isn’t the flavor that immediately comes to mind. Well, consider your mind blown, because we have all of the above and then some — and they all taste just like cake! Instead of baking a regular cake for your next birthday, change it up with one of these non-cake cake batter recipes. Or just make one every day for 14 days. That’s fine too.

Broma Bakery

Cake Batter Macarons

Who knew it was even possible to make such a beautiful treat at home? These macarons are pure perfection, and we bet they taste like it too. (via Broma Bakery)

Sally's Baking Addiction

Cake Batter Blondies

We’ll take brownies in any form, especially when that form is filled with bright colors and *two* different kinds of sprinkles. We don’t even care what these taste like — they’re just SO pretty. (via Sally’s Baking Addiction)

Running With Spoons

Funfetti Cake Batter Breakfast Bake

If you’re uncertain what’s in a breakfast bake, let us break it down for you. This one is a combination of oats, almond flour and vanilla almond milk (plus a few more very special ingredients). It’s a healthy spin on a sugary treat. (via Running With Spoons)

Crazy for Crust

Cake Batter Cookie Pie

This pie is like the ultimate hybrid of cookie, cake and ice cream. Chocolate chips layered on top of the crust make this super sweet treat a must-eat! (via Crazy for Crust)

Cookies & Cups

Funfetti Gooey Butter Cookies

Not only is there a whole box of funfetti cake batter in these cookies, but there’s also a full eight ounces of cream cheese. Holy crap. Cream cheese in cookies is definitely the way to sign us up for this trend. (via Cookies & Cups)

Budget Savvy Siva

Cake Batter Dip Recipe

We know a thing or two about savory party dips, but this sweet, cake batter version is a whole different ballgame. We feel like dipping animal crackers in this just *might* taste like heaven. (via Budget Savvy Diva)

Ashlee Marie

Cake Mix and Sprinkles Fudge

This fudge is loaded with sprinkles. They’ll melt in your mouth, along with the white chocolate and powdered sugar this fudge is made out of. One word: DECADENCE. (via Ashlee Marie)

How Sweet It Is

Cake Batter Pancakes

Sometimes you just need some sugar in the morning to get moving. These pancakes are *definitely* sweet, and we’re definitely making them tomorrow. (via How Sweet It Is)

I Heart Naptime

Cake Batter Popcorn

This cake batter popcorn is probably supposed to be dessert, but we could eat it all day, every day. With only four ingredients, this recipe will come together in a matter of minutes. (via I Heart Naptime)

With Salt and Wit

Birthday Cake Pretzels

Maybe it’s just us, but the combination of white chocolate, cake batter and a touch of salt puts us over the edge, in a really good way. We’ll take the whole bouquet, please. (via With Salt and Wit)

Sugar Spun Run

Cake Batter Rice Krispie Treats

Double down on the cake batter with this recipe. Not only is there cake batter in the Rice Krispie mixture, but it’s in the frosting too. (via Sugar Spun Run)

Sugar Spun Run

Cake Batter Cheesecake Dessert Shooters

There may not be any booze in these shooters, but Golden Oreos, tons of cream cheese and Cool Whip are enough for us. Three cheers to this gorgeous dessert! (via Sugar Spun Run)

Wine and Glue

Cake Batter Truffles

We’ve seen a lot of truffle recipes in our day, but this cake batter version might take the cake. See what we did there? (via Wine and Glue)

Bests and Bites

Healthy Funfetti Protein Bars

This is the ultimate non-cake recipe, because unlike cake, it’s actually kind of healthy. Boasting tons of vanilla protein and cashew butter, it’s basically a protein bar disguised as a cake. (via Bests and Bites)

Do you love cake batter treats that don’t make cake? Follow us on Pinterest for more sweet recipes!

Lead image via Broma Bakery

This post has been updated.

Our favorite dancing queens (Meryl Streep included) might be returning to the big screen for a third encore of Mamma Mia! and we’re already rewatching the first two movie musicals in preparation.

In an interview with Deadline in May of 2023, Mamma Mia! franchise creator and producer Judy Craymer said a third movie musical is in "earliest stages." She also shared that she has come up with a way to bring Meryl Streep back again.

"I don't want to over-egg it," she said of the unofficial news, "but I know there's a trilogy there…and I do think Meryl should come back, and if the script is right, she would, I think, because she really loved playing Donna."

"Of course I want to do it," Streep said during the 2024 Cannes Film Festival (via Deadline). Sounds promising to us!

Is Mamma Mia 3 happening?

Universal Pictures

Yes, Mamma Mia 3 is in its early planning stages! Christine Baranski just told The Hollywood Reporter that she's met with producer Judy Kramer, and that Kramer has plans for the third movie. "She gave me the narrative plotline of how it’s going to happen," Baranski says. "That’s all I can say! But, it’s not like, 'Oh, I wish it could happen!' Judy Kramer makes things happen. She made number two happen, and it was a phenomenal hit. I wouldn’t put it past Judy Kramer to get everybody back together."

Universal Pictures

A third installation was first mentioned way back in 2020, during a Collider interview with Mamma Mia! star Amanda Seyfried. Seyfried said she was on board — and at the time, she thought the rest of the star-studded cast would be too.

"Listen, every single person in that movie would say yes in a heartbeat because we want to hang out with each other," Seyfried told Collider at the time. "That's what we talked about last time, like did we ever think that we'd end up here again on an Island in Croatia?"

When will Mamma Mia 3 come out?

Universal Pictures

We don't have an official answer about when to expect this highly anticipated sequel. The project is in the "earliest stages," according to creator and producer, Judy Craymer. Cher also revealed to Entertainment Weekly that everyone is "talking about it," but she doesn't "know when they're going to do it."

Has casting information been shared about Mamma Mia 3?

Jonathan Prime/Universal Studios

While nothing's been made official, Amanda Seyfried just said something that made my heart skip a beat. She told ABC News she loves Sabrina Carpenter's music and dropped this admission: "If Sabrina Carpenter wants to play my daughter, I’ll make it happen."

But before she admitted that, the actress said something else that made me raise my eyebrows. "Everybody says it’s gonna happen, but I mean, I haven’t seen a script."

Cher is also eager to return to the beloved franchise and is rooting for Meryl to make an appearance again. "I keep saying, 'Meryl, you've got to come back,'" she said (via Entertainment Weekly). She also said she's told her, "'It'll be fun. You'll have a good time. You'll be able to sing.'"

I don't know what it'll take, but hope someone gets a script in Amanda Seyfried, Cher, and Meryl Streep's hands ASAP!

What is the first Mamma Mia about?

Universal Pictures

The first film follows Donna (Streep) and Sophie (Seyfried) as mother and daughter living on a remote Greek island. When Sophie is about to marry Sky (Dominic Cooper), she sets out to learn who her real father is after discovering it could be one of three men (played by Pierce Brosnan, Stellan Skarsgard, and Colin Firth).

Who does the second Mamma Mia follow?

Universal Pictures / NBCUniversal

Mamma Mia 2takes viewers back to 1979, where young Donna (Lily James) embarks on a series of adventures throughout Europe following her Oxford University graduation. On her journeys, she makes the acquaintances of Harry, Bill and Sam – the latter whom she falls in love with. In the present day, pregnant Sophie dreams of renovating a taverna while reuniting with her mother's old friends and boyfriends on a Greek island island.

TBH, we’re pretty happy that Mamma Mia! is far from over, and we can’t wait to see what the franchise has in store for us next. Stay updated on all the latest entertainment news with Brit + Co.

This post has been updated.

There's nothing ~normal~ about how much we love Normal People's Paul Mescal & Daisy Edgar-Jones. While it turns out we're not getting a Normal People season 2 (yet), the two actors are starring in some of 2024's biggest blockbusters (Twisters and Gladiator II, namely), and we've been soaking up their presences ever since.

Paul recently exhibited his ongoing friendship with Daisy at the Gladiator II premiere in Los Angeles. While he approached Brittany Broski on the red carpet for an interview, he recognized her from her recent 'Royal Court' interview with Daisy:

"You were with Daisy!" he chimed in excitingly. We just love this power duo!

Enda Bowe/Hulu

Daisy Edgar-Jones also revealed that she's remained incredibly close to Paul Mescal after their time on Hulu's Normal People. "Paul is one of my lifetime best friends," she says. "He’s an incredibly grounded person and I am too, I think, so it’s nice to be able to have those touchstones and those people you can laugh about it with and be lighthearted with. We met when I was 20 and Paul was 22; I’m so excited to see where we’ll be at 32, 42, and what life will bring us."

But the coolest thing is that not only is Normal People special for Paul and Daisy, but they've also been able to see the effect of the show on its fans.

"The thing I love people saying the most is, 'It made me contact my ex,'" Daisy continues. "Especially when much older people say, 'I just wanted to reach out to the person I was with when I was 17 just to say you were a big part of my history and thanks for being part of who I am, the tapestry of my life.' And that I really love, because I’m a massive romantic."

Daisy recently revealed they bonded over their training for Twisters and Gladiator II.

"I did running lessons — isn’t that crazy?" she told Variety. "Actually, Paul [Mescal] and I were laughing about it, because he was training for 'Gladiator II' and I was training for 'Twisters,' and obviously he had to be huge and I was like, 'Don’t worry, I’m going to be right up there with you.'"

Let us know your favorite Normal People moment in the comments and check out 5 Leading Ladies We'd Love To See In A Paul Mescal Rom-Com.

This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.