Use Wax Paper Stencils to Make Pretty Patterned Cakes

In thinking about dessert as art this week, we kept coming back to patterns. Some of the most basic patterns that are part of everyday life are actually quite beautiful, especially when recreated using sprinkles on a cake! Read on to see how we created our own striped, dotted, and chevron cake stencils using parchment paper and an Xacto knife.

Materials:
– 1 box cake mix

– 1 cup nonfat greek yogurt

– sprinkles in assorted colors

– wax/parchment paper

– Xacto knife

skinny cupcake hacks

and eggs. Amazing.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F, or as directed on your cake mix. Mix up all of your ingredients and grease a large cake pan.

Pour your batter into the pan and bake for 30 minutes.

While your cake is baking, it’s time to create some stencils.

Since you’re working with sprinkles, the need to be totally precise is not so important. We freehanded a chevron pattern, stripes, and little squares (which ended up looking like polka dots).

You could also use mini cookie cutters to create sprinkle patterns if stencils aren’t your jam, or if you just want to mix things up.

Take the cake out and let cool. Flip onto a cutting board and place in the fridge for 20 minutes.

Now frost! Put back in the fridge for 30 minutes then take out and cut. We cut the edges off and then created 6 squares.

To stencil, place your stencil on a piece of cake. Use a toothpick to press the stencil down into the frosting ever so slightly. Pour sprinkles on! Shake them off before removing the parchment paper, otherwise they’ll spill into your design.

The reveal! How fun are those stripes?

Create as many mini patterned cakes as you like.

And, of course, you have to let your coworkers, friends, and family, dive into these playfully patterned cakes. Nom!

How do you create your own dessert art? Talk to us in the comments below.

There are many ways to enjoy a great dessert pizza. Deep dish or flatbread, healthy or indulgent — you can even hack a two-ingredient crust! We just don't give enough credit to the endless possibilities. You can top them with seasonal fruit, drizzle them with caramel or chocolate and, of course, invite your favorite candy to the pizza party.

Any way you slice it, dessert pizzas are out of this world and we just cannot get enough. Want to try one? Here are some great dessert pizza recipes to get you started on your path to sweet pizza serenity.

Tasty dessert pizza recipes to savor this weekend

​What is dessert pizza made of?

Dessert pizza is made up of sweet toppings and cream cheese or a sugar spread. It swaps the usual tomato sauce and pepperoni for sweet alternatives, and it's delicious!

What is the best dessert to go with pizza?

We love eating ice cream or some chocolate after we finish a slice of pizza. Sorbet or even a plain piece of fruit is another good option if you want something sweet, but light.

What dessert can be made from pizza dough?

You can use pizza dough for cinnamon rolls, monkey bread, or babka.

Brit + Co Dessert Pizza Recipes 

Brit + Co

Grilled Dessert Pizza

Not only is this dessert pizza served on flatbread, but it's full of delicious nuts, fruit, and cheeses so it's healthy as well as yummy.

Brit + Co

S'mores Pizza

Whether you decide to make this dish while it's still cold out or wait until campfire season, it's sure to become a family favorite. Serve it while it's still warm for maximum deliciousness.

Brit + Co

Memorial Day Dessert Pizza

This might be the perfect dessert pizza for the last weekend in May, but it will taste just as good for the rest of the year. The berries and coconut taste amazing together – but feel free to drizzle some honey on top for good measure.

More Dessert Pizza Recipes

Creme de la Crumb

Apple Crumble Flatbread

Imagine the most comforting and warm apple crumble, but handheld. This flatbread is that – and so much more. That scoop of vanilla ice cream is definitely non-negotiable. Let it melt a bit, and you'll fall in love with how it mixes with the rich caramel sauce.

A Spicy Southern Kitchen

Bananas Foster Dessert Pizza

Bananas Foster is a southern dessert that we all need to get behind, especially when it's served on top of a crispy pizza crust. Stock up on your rum and bananas, because when the mood strikes, you'll want to be prepared.

A Spicy Southern Perspective

Strawberry Cookie Pizza

This berry-fied dessert pizza is baked in a single pan, making clean-up a whole lot easier. This could be a good bite for dessert or breakfast!

Show Me the Yummy

Caramel Apple Dessert Pizza

The person who discovered that caramel and apple are amazing together deserves a major gold star. This dessert pizza combines a crispy peanut butter cookie crust, a fluffy caramel vanilla frosting, thinly sliced Granny Smith apples and… Snickers!

Bowl of Delicious

Rainbow Fruit Pizza

Sugar cookie dough forms the base of this colorful dessert pizza! This is an easily customizable dessert pizza recipe, since you can add or omit any fruits you'd like to.

Food Fanatic

Chocolate Chip Cookie Pizza

Dessert that doubles as a fun activity is always a good choice. Use this cookie-covered pizza as a tasty base to top with your favorite candies and drizzles at your next girls' night in. Just don't forget to bring the cocktails, too.

The Recipe Critic

Cinnamon Roll Dessert Pizza

When you want that homemade cinnamon roll flavor without all of the work, toss together this dessert pizza that's finished off with cream cheese frosting. Once you get a taste of this pizza-breakfast hybrid, you won't want to go back to regular old rolls.

The Real Food Dietitians

Gluten-Free Berry Dessert Pizza

This GF dessert pizza is worthy of making on cozy nights in. The crust certainly won't make your tummy hurt if you're sensitive to gluten.

The Girl on Bloor

Homemade Beaver Tails with Pizza Dough

These sugary slabs of dough (AKA beaver tails) are the perfect dessert pizza. Try any combo of toppings you want to, but we highly recommend Nutella + banana.

Girl vs. Dough

Cookies + Creme Dessert Pizza

With just a few pantry items you already have lying around, you can have a quick dessert pizza on the table in no time. Why spend all night making a ton of individual cookies when you can just make one huge one and call it a day? (via Girl vs. Dough)

Completely Delicious

Raspberry Brie Dessert Pizza

Raspberries and brie cheese adorn the top of this dessert pizza crust, and then are joined by candied pecans and rosemary for an extra elegant touch.

Whole and Heavenly Oven

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Pizza

Everyone loves a good oatmeal chocolate chip cookie. Please the masses with this giant version that can be sliced into pizza-like wedges and eaten on the go. It's the perfect party favor to bring to the next event you're invited to.

Dessert Now Dinner Later

Oreo Fudge Brownie Pizza

There's no such thing as too much chocolate! This beauty has a brownie crust, crushed Oreos, and a creamy fudge drizzle. Top everything with chocolate shavings, and you're all set for a chocoholic's dream dessert.

Two Spoons

Chocolate Cherry Pizza Tart

Rich chocolate and sweet cherries team up to form a dependable and decadent dessert pizza. Make sure you share this recipe with your closest sweet tooths!

Sugar Spun Run

Raspberry White Chocolate Dessert Pizza

If only the base of every pizza could be sweetened cream cheese, white chocolate and raspberry puree. Okay, maybe that wouldn't be good on *all* pizzas, but it sure makes for one hell of a dessert pizza.

Cleobuttera

Peanut Butter Cup Pizza

Homemade hand-tossed pizza dough makes all the difference in this indulgent masterpiece. You might as well go big when you're talking about two types of chocolate!

Oh Sweet Basil

Rocky Road Chocolate Pizza

The great thing about this dessert pizza is that you simply mix all of the ingredients together and press them into a pizza pan to set. No baking involved! Plus, it's a fun recipe to make with the kiddos on a cold afternoon.

My Suburban Kitchen

Cast Iron S’mores Pizza

Roughing it is *so* much easier when you have an incredible dessert to share with your pals. This pizza will have you all singing “Kumbaya" around the campfire all night long. No icky s'mores sticks required.

The Fit Foodie

Watermelon Pizza

If this fruity pizza doesn't have you yearning for summer, nothing else will. Cue the barbecues and mojitos, ASAP. Make a DIY watermelon pizza dessert bar with your favorite toppings, from fresh fruit to granola, coconut flakes, mint leaves and more.

Rachel Mansfeld

Doughy Chocolate Chip Cookie Pizza

This dessert pizza recipe even works in collagen peptides, giving you a nice nutritional boost.

Culinary Hill

Brownie Pizza

Balance out the brownie crust in this pizza by topping things off with colorful fruit cuts! That means dessert is still healthy, right? (via Culinary Hill)

Earthly Provisions

Vegan Cookies and Creme Dessert Pizza

We didn't know a vegan dessert pizza could be so tastyyy. Add as many Oreo crumbles as your heart desires! (via Earthly Provisions)

Follow us on Pinterest for more dessert inspo, and check out our cooking and baking online classes for all your sweet treat needs!

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

The sweet season of love just got even sweeterDunkin’s back at it again with some all-new menu offerings, just in time for Valentine’s Day! They just launched some delicious donut flavors in lieu of the holiday, including two of the “most requested” limited-time items.

Scroll on to see what’s on the 2025 Dunkin’ Valentine’s Day menu!

Dunkin’

Dunkin’ fanatics will know (and love) the two famed donuts returning to the V-Day menu: the Cupid’s Choice and Brownie Batter specialty donuts!

The Cupid’s Choice Specialty Donut is filled generously with Bavarian kreme and topped off with strawberry-flavored icing and some festive sprinkles.

The Brownie Batter Specialty Donut is filled with a chocolatey brownie batter-flavored butter creme. Then, it’s finished off with a rich chocolate icing and, of course, Valentine’s Day sprinkles!

Dunkin’

The rest of Dunkin’s donut lineup will be getting a Valentine's Day makeover, too! Through February 18, all of their filled donuts will be handed off to you in a lovely heart-shaped shell. Plus, every regular donut (including Munchkins!) that typically comes with sprinkles will be prepared with pink, white, and red heart sprinkles. I’ll take, like, 30! Thanks!

Dunkin’

The Dunkin’ Valentine’s Day menu officially launched on Wednesday, January 29.

Dunkin’

And if the returning donuts aren’t enough to fill your Dunkin' Valentine’s Day menu cravings, the coffee chain is pairing up with New York-based artist and muralist Corey Paige Designs for a super cute merch capsule collection. Launching January 29 at 9am ET, you’ll be able to shop two adorable crewnecks ($45), a hat ($25), socks ($16), and a heart-shaped tote bag ($25)!

Dunkin’

So, this season, make sure to snag a Dunkin’ Valentine’s donut (or a dozen!) and rock your love for the chain with some irresistibly cute merch!

Subscribe to our newsletter for more food news and seasonal menu drops!

This post has been updated.

Whether you're spending Valentine's Day with your sweetie, hosting a Galentine's brunch for your gal pals, or basking in love with your fam, there's no question that a fancy dessert helps set the tone for a cozy and love-filled night in. We personally love cooking pasta recipes followed by a succulent dessert, but the menu options for Love Day run the gamut from seafood to international cuisine.

One thing that's not optional is chocolate — known to promote feelings similar to being in love or spending time with those closest to you, chocolate is one of the best flavors for Valentine's Day desserts. Combined with red wine and seasonal pear, it makes for a simply decadent treat — hence, this Red Wine Pear Cake. Trust us: This is going to be the best chocolate cake recipe you have ever tried.

Learn how to make the best Chocolate Cake ever

Red Wine Pear Cake With Chocolate Ganache

Sarah Anderson

Ingredients:

Pears

  • 3-4 firm Bosc pears
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 1/2 cups red wine
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 3-4 whole cloves or 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Cake

  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 full-fat coconut milk
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 11 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 cups coconut sugar
  • 1/2 cup red wine
  • 1/2 teaspoon pink salt
  • 1/2 cup 85% dark chocolate chips or bar broken into small pieces
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 cup gluten-free or regular all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Ganache

  • 2/3 cup dark chocolate chips
  • 1/3 cup full-fat coconut milk or heavy whipping cream
  • 2 tablespoons reserved spiced wine (see recipe notes)

Sarah Anderson

Directions:

  1. Peel the skin off the pears and remove the stems, seeds, and core. Slice in half. Add water, red wine, cinnamon, and cloves into a saucepan and place the pears in the liquid. Bring the wine mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Let simmer for 20 minutes, until the pears are tender. Remove the pears from red wine and let cool. Continue simmering until sauce is reduced, and reserve 2 tablespoons for the chocolate ganache.
  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  3. Grease two 9-inch springform cake pans with butter or oil and set aside.
  4. Whisk two eggs in a separate bowl and set aside.
  5. In a small bowl, add the coconut milk and apple cider vinegar and whisk thoroughly. Let sit for at least 5 minutes.
  6. In a separate saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Whisk in the coconut sugar then remove from heat and add in the red wine and salt until well mixed. Quickly add in the dark chocolate pieces and stir constantly until the chocolate is melted. Pour the vanilla extract in and whisk again.
  7. Add about one third of the chocolate mixture to the whisked eggs. Mix thoroughly and then pour back into a mixing bowl with the rest of the chocolate mixture.
  8. Add in coconut milk mixture, cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, and baking soda, and mix until well combined.
  9. Pour the cake batter into two greased cake pans.
  10. Slice wine-poached pear halves in quarters and place in your desired design on top of the cake batter in the cake pans.
  11. Bake the cakes for 20-30 minutes.
  12. While cakes are baking, add the dark chocolate and coconut milk or heavy cream to a small saucepan. Heat on low until the chocolate is melted, whisking so that it is well mixed. Add in the reserved wine sauce and whisk again. Remove from heat and set aside.
  13. Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool completely before removing them from the springform pans. Place one cake on a cake platter or stand, and drizzle some chocolate ganache on top. Then place the second cake on top of the first and pour the remaining chocolate ganache over the top.

If this is the best chocolate cake recipe you've ever tried, you'll want to sign up for our newsletter for more recipes like this one!

Recipe by Sarah Anderson

This post has been updated.

When I opened my Instagram feed and saw a picture of Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal together again, my first reaction was "AH!" — especially since they're sitting on a couch, just like they do at the end of When Harry Met Sally. Not to mention the fact Billy's wearing a pullover very similar to his iconic cable knit sweater in the rom-com. The duo announced they're reuniting for a special surprise and we finally know what that surprise is: a 2025 Super Bowl commercial.

Here's everything we know about Meg Ryan & Billy Crystal's When Harry Met Sally Super Bowl commercial.

Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal recreate 'When Harry Met Sally's most iconic scene.

For Hellmann's mayonnaise's 2025, Super Bowl ad Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal headed back to Katz's Deli in New York City, where they filmed When Harry Met Sally's "I'll have what she's having" scene. You know, when Sally pretends to have an orgasm while eating her sandwich, proving to Harry that women really do know how to fake it.

Well, when Meg admits her sandwich "isn't doing it," a squeeze of Hellman's mayo fixes everything — and gets Meg to reenact the iconic movie moment. A surprise appearance from Sydney Sweeney, who tells the waiter she'll have what Meg's having, is the perfect way to end the ad!

Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal made a joint Instagram post on January 22 teasing a big surprise. "It’s finally happening, we’re reuniting for something iconic," Meg says in the caption. "Can’t wait to show you all soon 💙."

My favorite thing about the post (aside from the surprise, obviously) is the fact that Meg and Billy are in outfits their When Harry Met Sally characters would totally approve of. Meg's blazer and button down and Billy's white cable knit sweater? Say no more!

"I bet it’s a Super Bowl ad ❤️," one user comments, while another agrees, "I need a sequel (but I’m thinking it’s a Super Bowl commercial?)."

Although a third comment totally summarizes how I'm feeling: "IT’S HAPPENING OH MY GOD EVERYONE REMAIN CALM."

Bleecker Street

The last time we saw Meg Ryan onscreen, it was for her latest rom-com What Happens Later. The movie follows two exes who spend a night of adventure together when they're stranded at an airport.

“It’s a different story than when you’re in your 20s,” Meg told Glamour. “I wanted to make something beautiful and offer a new way of thinking about what love is.”

And this new movie connects to her other films, like When Harry Met Sally, because “whatever was happening, they were destined to find one another," she continues. "There’s a comfort in the kismet and the idea of an inevitable connection. It’s a wonderland idea. It’s an enchanted idea.”

The Super Bowl ad comes a month after Lauren Graham and Scott Patterson's 'Gilmore Girls' reunion.

And old school media lovers are living large because this isn't the only reunion we've gotten lately! At the beginning of December, Gilmore Girls fans were in for a treat when Lauren Graham and Scott Patterson reunited as Luke and Lorelai for a Walmart commercial (alongside Sean Gunn as Kirk, naturally).

The commercial features Luke and Lorelai standing in Luke's diner talking all things "coffee coffee coffee," with Luke in his signature flannel and Lor wearing a sherpa jacket she'd be all over in 2025.

It all started when Lauren Graham teased the collab on Instagram, saying she had "something brewing." And Scott's post that he was "back at #LukesDiner for something really special," fans picked up on it. "KING LUKE WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?!?!?" one user commented. "I’m ready for whatever this is ☕️ 😍," a second added.

What do you think about Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal's When Harry Met Sally reunion? Check out Where To Stream The Best Meg Ryan Movies to prep for the surprise!

It's no secret that I'm an absolute fiend for a good pair of sneakers. Plus, my shoe collection is constantly growing, thanks to fashion's ever-changing sneaker trends. Last year, the Adidas Sambas ran rampant. Seriously – it seemed like I couldn't go anywhere without seeing someone sporting that classic trio of stripes.

But, it's 2025 – the new year undeniably brings in a whole new set of sneaker trends, and TBH, I'm glad we're collectively moving past the Samba-fication of fashion. This year's most prominent sneaker trends are, of course, still sporty, but a lot of up-and-coming styles are more experimental when it comes to their features.

I truly want to wear all of these sneaker trends in 2025 in one way or another. Shoes will always make (or break) an outfit, so hopping on the trend bandwagon will instantly make your looks that much more iconic.

Scroll on to discover the biggest sneaker trends of 2025!

1. Old School Track-Inspired Sneakers

Puma

Puma Speedcat OG Sneakers

In 2025, we're reimagining the ever-popular three-striped sneaker, especially with designs like this that recall popular retro track and field sneakers.

The single-stripe Puma Speedcats have been spotted on numerous celebs already, so they're bound to explode into the fashion canon quite soon. Snag your suede- and leather-covered pair in this simple black + white combo for endless outfit possibilities!

SeaVees

SeaVees Acorn Trainers

If you prefer your sneaks to provide a nice pop of color, opt for these trainers from SeaVees. This bright yellow colorway is truly living in my mind rent-free, but they also come in many more playful hues like red, green, and blue. Oh, they're also extremely comfy on the feet – they'll be perfect for you if you're on your feet frequently.

Onitsuka Tiger

Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 Sneakers

The Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66's hit the scene hard around the same time as the Adidas Sambas did, growing popular for their sporty, streamlined silhouette. You can snag 'em in plenty of different colors – I personally love this yellow + green + red combo since it sets you up nicely for pairing with pants, skirts, sweaters, and the like.

2. Velcro Sneakers

Steve Madden

Steve Madden Momentum Sneakers

I'm fully on-board with this next 2025 sneaker trend – AKA ditching pesky laces for some simpler velcro bands. Not only do these velcro-ed sneaks expedite the getting-ready process, they also add some cool visual intrigue to the bottom half of your 'fits.

Veja

Veja Recife Sneakers

These black Vejas boast a contrasting gum sole that really channels skater style – and I love it.

Charlotte Stone

Charlotte Stone Conway Sneakers

Take the colorful route with this insanely cute mismatched pair. The plethora of colors and easy velcro bands on 'em are making my inner child sohappy.

3. Stark White Sneakers

Nordstrom

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Low Top Sneakers

Now onto the very opposite of the fun color spectrum. Stark white sneakers will be huge in 2025, especially cult-classic styles like these Converse kicks. They're easy to wear and pair, but the tricky part is just keeping them clean.

Nordstrom

Madewell Sidewalk Low Top Sneakers

When it comes to this sneaker trend, low-profile sneaks are the way to go. I think they'd be even more fun to wear with some colorful socks!

Nordstrom

Sam Edelman Pippy Platform Sneakers

For a lil' boost in height, opt for some punchy platforms. When it comes to low-top sneakers like this, cropped pants or jeans work wonderfully.

4. Technical Sneakers

Salomon

Salomon XT-6 Sneakers

This sneaker trend is by far my favorite for 2025 – likely because it speaks to the hiker in me – but technical sneakers aren't necessarily limited to outdoor adventure wear anymore! Technical sneakers still offer you all the benefits meant for athletic use, but people are wearing them way more casually these days.

Sneaks like the Salomon XT-6's (deemed 'sportstyle' shoes) have definitely earned their streetwear title, even though they were originally developed for long-distance runs in harsh conditions.

Sandy Liang's (now sold-out, but so cute) collaborative designs with Salomon showcase that these sneakers tap more into 'style' rather than 'sport', boasting ribbon laces and pristine baby pink colorways.

Keen

Keen Jasper Zionic Sneakers

Keen is another big brand when it comes to stylish technical sneaks. Their Jasper sneaker design is clearly climbing-inspired, functioning as an approach shoe if you were to hit the crag.

Though they speak strongly to my love for climbing, I'd also say that they're just as cool when worn on the streets. They've jazzed up the classic Jasper in this Jasper Zionic silhouette with more traction on the soles and 3 equally iconic colorways.

Merrell

Merrell Moab 3 Camo Waterproof Sneakers

Finally, these hiking sneakers are an undeniable fit for everyday fashion – the more-femme color palette is too cute. You could easily style them with the right skirt or mini dress. Plus, when it comes to trending colors, this brown + pink (I call it Neapolitan, like the ice cream flavor) pairing will be everywhere in 2025.

5. Ballet Sneakers

Nordstrom

Jeffrey Campbell Athletic Sneakers

Ballet sneakers are slowly becoming more and more popular. I love that they offer the cuteness of a ballet flat, but the comfort of a well-constructed sneaker. The best of both worlds awaits you with these adorable Jeffrey Campbell shoes!

Free People

Ash Rolls Sneakers

These sneaks from Ash Rolls boast a very New Balance-esuqe colorway with a combo of metallic silver and white. The key to ballet sneakers is the classic top strap!

Anthropologie

Jeffrey Campbell Regimen Ballet Sneakers

But you can also find fun lace-up styles like this, which also get right to the heart of ballet style. I'm obsessed with how far up the ankle these laces reach.

Subscribe to our newsletter to discover + shop the hottest trends for 2025!

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