Go Naked With 21 Frosting-Free Wedding Cakes

4th of July Cupcakes

Fourth of July Peanut Butter Cookie Cake

Low Carb 4th of July Vanilla Berry Cake

Red, White, and Blue Cake

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

When's the best time to do holiday shopping?

The best time to do holiday shopping really all depends on your personal shopping goals. Do you want to get a jump on items you know will sell out soon? Do you want to save the most money possible? Do you want to focus on handmade, personalized gifts? These factors will undoubtedly influence your holiday shopping schedule.

Shopping early can be advantageous for all of the aforementioned goals. A lot of retailers start promoting their holiday products early on, giving you ample time to snatch up that limited-time lip kit or fancy water bottle you’ve been eyeing way before the holidays.

Plus, some of the best deals for holiday shopping happen ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday – in 2023, Experian observed a surge in early spending in October, thanks to early discounts, a trend likely to continue in 2024.

Finally, shopping early can be especially helpful if your plan is to focus on handmade or personalized gifts, giving the artisan you buy from (or yourself, if you’re DIY-ing your gifts) plenty of time to craft the item with love and care.

Gallup reported in 2023 that one in four shoppers start shopping as early as September, a trend likely to continue in 2024 – so you might already be embarking on your shopping spree!

If right now is just still too darn early for you to start holiday shopping, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are some of the best times to shop since so many retailers offer their largest discounts of the entire year. Plus, the late November-early December timeline can feel a bit more appropriate for the gifting season opposed to late October-early November, when everyone’s still recovering from Halloween.

The only thing to consider during this time is the shipping timelines for the items you purchase – but most retailers will typically advise their specific shipping schedules, so you don’t risk your goodies arriving late.

Where should I shop for gifts?

You have three main options when it comes to where to shop for holiday gifts: online, in-store, and via our amazing gift guides. Of course, each method has its advantages and disadvantages.

Shopping in-store offers a tangible experience: the opportunity to hold specific items in your hands and gauge exactly what they’ll be like when you give them as a gift. The pitfall with shopping in-person is that it typically requires a commute and journeys through potentially very busy malls and shopping strips, which can add to the already-stressful holiday experience.

In-store shopping can be more physically exhausting, but it’s all about preference! Sometimes strolling through the stores that get all dolled up for Christmas is the best part of the season.

Per Google, 65% of those planning to shop for the holidays say they will shop online more. Shopping for gifts online can be super helpful since you can centralize your findings in your browser’s bookmark tab or via virtual cart(s). Plus, shopping online can pose more opportunities for saving some money: lots of retailers typically offer discount codes for online users, especially if you sign up for their digital marketing channels (like email and text) and make a purchase.

Shopping online isn’t just shopping, either. The internet can be a stellar research tool to help you vet whether certain products are worth it, where they can be bought, and when they’ll be available. In fact, Google reported that more than half of U.S. holiday shoppers who went into a store last year say they looked up product reviews online and/or located an item in-store by checking it online.

Last but not least, scrolling gift guides has to be our favorite place to shop for gifts – and not just because we write and publish them.

At their very core, gift guides help streamline the holiday shopping process, alleviating the stress that bubbles up when you’re wondering what the heck to shop for in the first place. Our gift guides are backed by real people, real experiences, and real opinions from our editorial team. We only promote products that we really love and believe in, oftentimes ones we’ve tested and reviewed ourselves.

We have gift guides for just about everyone on your list, with more on the way! Check ‘em out:

• Gifts for Him
• Gifts for Her
• Gifts for Foodies
• DIY + Handmade Gifts
• White Elephant Gifts
• Gift Sets

What are the best kinds of gifts to give?

The best kinds of gifts to give are thoughtful gifts that consider the giftee’s interests, wants, and needs. These gifts can be sentimental, practical, or both simultaneously. What matters most in a gift is that it’ll be meaningful to them past just the holiday season, whether it’s helping them get through daily tasks, reminding them of a memorable trip or event, or giving them small doses of joy.

“Shoppers are increasingly looking for personalized and unique gifts that reflect the recipient's personality and interests,” says Mia Anderson, Owner of ChicSew. “With the rise of online shopping, many consumers are opting for curated gift boxes or experiences that add a special touch.”

Gift boxes, personalized items, books of interest, self-care goodies, and even gift cards can all be thoughtful gifts depending on the recipient. If you have no clue what your giftee is into, it’s not a bad idea to ask them what they want the most!

“My idea of a great gift is something that is in tandem with the recipient's interest and offers something new to the person, be it learning a new skill, enjoying a calming activity, or simply spending quality time with the family,” says Alfred Christ, Sales Manager & Marketer at Robotime. “This season, we encourage shoppers to shift their focus on quality and the memories their gifts will create and not just merely material aspects.”

When is Black Friday?

Black Friday is always the Friday after Thanksgiving. This year, Black Friday lands on November 29.

When is Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday is typcally the Monday after Thanksgiving. This year, Cyber Monday will land on December 2. Oftentimes, retailers and brands extend their online offers through the week (coined Cyber Week) after the event. Salesforce reported that 67% of shoppers in 2024 plan on shopping during Cyber Week!