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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Contact Me

If you have any questions about the blog or a specific request for a recipe or anything at all, just shoot me a message using the form below. I will respond within 24 hours. Or you can send me a direct message using the email address in my About Me page. Thanks for stopping by!

 





    Hi, my name is Sharon. I’m an accountant by day, risk-taking baker and food enthusiast by night. Come join me as I share my favorite recipes and test out new ones along the way!

    fall flavors

    vinaigrette dressing being poured over a plate of Orchard Harvest Salad (Panera Copycat) from a glass bottle with a half and whole pair and cherry preserves in the background, shot from a side angle

    Orchard Harvest Salad (Panera Copycat)

    a trio of gingerbread souffles on a serving platter

    Gingerbread Soufflé

    two pints of high road ice cream stacked on top of each other with glass dishes of apple pie sundaes next to them and an apple slice and a apple cut in half in front, shot from the front

    Apple Pie Sundae

    Butterscotch Pear Turnovers on a baking sheet with parchment paper, shot from overhead

    Butterscotch Pear Turnovers

    close up of potato dinner rolls on a wooden round serving platter

    Potato Dinner Rolls

    photo of two glasses of sangria with the pitcher in the background

    Cranberry Apple Sangria

    ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

    photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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    holiday favorite

    brooklyn blackout cupcakes

    Brooklyn Blackout Cupcakes

    Honey Wheat Bread Loaves

    Gingerbread Biscotti on parchment paper

    Gingerbread Biscotti

    berry pavlova sitting on a baking sheet with parchment paper

    Berry Pavlova

    two copper mugs filled with holiday mule drinks and a pitcher in the background

    Holiday Mule

     

    Jelly Roll French Toast – white bread rolled wit Jelly Roll French Toast – white bread rolled with raspberry jam, dipped in egg custard, griddled, and rolled in sugar!

One of the best parts of cooking for kids is making food in fun shapes, you guys! These jelly roll french toast sticks do just that! But don't think they're only for kids – the flavor and texture is SO yummy that adults love them too!

The secret? White bread is the softest, making it easiest to flatten and roll up!
Pro tip: Don't overfill with jam or the rolls could unravel while cooking! And roll them in sugar while they're still hot so it sticks better!

Perfect for weekend breakfast, brunch, Easter morning, or anytime you want a fun twist on French toast! 

💬 Comment "JELLYROLL" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for weekend mornings
📤 SHARE with someone who has kids!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/jelly-roll-french-toast
    Berry Crumble Pie – homemade pie crust filled wi Berry Crumble Pie – homemade pie crust filled with four kinds of berries and baked with a brown sugar cinnamon crumble topping!

My husband said this might be his NEW favorite pie, you guys – and apple has ALWAYS been his #1! What he loves? The sweet and tart flavors balancing each other perfectly, plus that crispy (not crunchy!) cinnamon crumble! 

The secret? Starting with a blueberry sauce creates a thick base so the filling doesn't get watery!

Pro tip: Don't cut into this pie until it's completely cooled (3 hours!) or it will fall apart everywhere!

Perfect for Thanksgiving, holidays, or anytime you want an incredible berry pie!

💬 Comment "BERRYPIE" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for pie season
📤 SHARE with someone who loves pie!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/berry-crumble-pie/
    Caesar Pasta Salad – penne pasta tossed with all Caesar Pasta Salad – penne pasta tossed with all your favorite Caesar salad ingredients! 🥗

I'm not usually a huge creamy pasta salad fan, you guys, but this one BLEW ME AWAY! The homemade Caesar dressing adds SO much bold flavor and only gets better as time goes by! 

The combo of crispy romaine, perfectly al dente pasta, juicy tomatoes, and that incredible dressing? Perfection!

Pro tip: Shred your own Parmesan cheese! Pre-shredded is too thick – freshly shredded blends into the salad SO much better!

Perfect for summer BBQs, potlucks, picnics, or anytime you need an amazing pasta salad! ☀️

💬 Comment "CAESAR" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for summer entertaining
📤 SHARE with someone who loves Caesar salad!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/caesar-pasta-salad
#PastaSalad #CaesarSalad #SummerSalad #PastaSaladRecipe #SummerSide #SummerRecipes #EasySalad #HomemadeDressing #PastaSalads #SummerFood
    Grilled Bang Bang Shrimp Skewers – grilled shrim Grilled Bang Bang Shrimp Skewers – grilled shrimp covered in a spicy, creamy, sweet chili sauce!

Grilling is my FAVORITE, you guys! Those charred grill marks add SO much flavor! This is my grilled twist on the classic fried Bang Bang Shrimp from that upscale seafood restaurant – healthier and just as delicious! 

The sauce is simply mayo + sweet chili sauce + sriracha. SO easy!

Pro tip: Taste your sauce first and add more sriracha if needed – mine was too mild so I kept adding more! And soak those wooden skewers for 30 minutes so they don't catch fire!

Perfect for summer BBQs, pool parties, or anytime you want easy grilled appetizers! 

💬 Comment "BANGBANG" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for grilling season
📤 SHARE with someone who loves shrimp!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/grilled-bang-bang-shrimp-skewers

#BangBangShrimp #GrilledShrimp #ShrimpSkewers #BBQRecipes #GrilledSeafood #ShrimpRecipes #PoolPartyFood #OutdoorCooking #SummerFood
    Carrot Snack Cake – a single-layer carrot cake t Carrot Snack Cake – a single-layer carrot cake topped with homemade cream cheese frosting and sprinkled with chopped pecans!

Easter isn't the same without carrot cake, but who has time for a three-layer version anymore? Not me! This snack cake has ALL the classic flavors – cinnamon, carrot, nutmeg, brown sugar, pecans – with HALF the effort! 

Made in a 9x9 pan and you can even frost it right in the pan for extra simplicity!
Pro tip: Freshly shred your carrots – they're softer and taste SO much better than pre-shredded matchstick carrots!

Perfect for Easter, spring gatherings, potlucks, or anytime you want carrot cake without the fuss! 

💬 Comment "CARROTCAKE" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for easy baking
📤 SHARE with someone who loves carrot cake!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/carrot-snack-cake/
#CarrotCake #CarrotSnackCake #EasterDessert #SpringDesserts #EasyCake #CakeRecipes #HomemadeCake #SpringBaking #EasyDessert #SheetCake

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