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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Rosemary & Olive Oil Bagels

Rosemary & Olive Oil Bagels

bread· breakfast
August 23, 2021

Rosemary & Olive Oil Bagels – Classic bagel dough is speckled with fresh rosemary leaves and a drizzle of olive…
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Homemade Bagels

Homemade Bagels

bread· breakfast
April 23, 2018

Homemade Bagels – The chewiest homemade bagels you’ll ever make, with the perfect crispy, shiny shell on the outside. You…
Read More

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

shortcut apple strudel on a marble serving platter cut down the middle to expose the apple center with vanilla ice cream on top and a fork in the foreground

Shortcut Apple Strudel

Apple Pie Cake

zoomed in shot of a plate of stacked chocolate gingerbread truffles with one with a bite out of it, shot from a side angle

Chocolate Gingerbread Truffles

Maple Pecan Scones

oatmeal rolls sitting on a baking sheet

Oatmeal Dinner Rolls

overhead shot of quinoa harvest salad on a plate

Quinoa Harvest Salad

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holiday favorite

close up of a split bun with cream & jam

Split Buns with Cream and Jam

zoomed in shot of orange-scented madelines on a white plate

Orange-Scented Madeleines

nutella pastry rolls on a sheet of parchment paper with a spoonful of nutella next to them

Nutella Pastry Rolls

two stacked Cinnamon Chocolate Muffins and one muffin cut in half next to it and a pan of cinnamon chocolate muffins, shot from a side angle

Cinnamon Chocolate Muffins

a trio of gingerbread souffles on a serving platter

Gingerbread Soufflé

 

Easy Homemade Refrigerator Pickles – classic dil Easy Homemade Refrigerator Pickles – classic dill pickles made with garlic and dill that cure right in your fridge! No canning required!

I never thought I'd want to make my own pickles, you guys, but then I tried homemade pickles at a restaurant and was BLOWN AWAY! They were super salty but not as vinegary as store-bought, still super green, and SO crunchy!

The best part? No intimidating canning process! These refrigerator pickles cure in your fridge and are ready in just 2 days!

Pro tip: Cut the ends off your cucumbers first – the ends have enzymes that make them soft during pickling!

Perfect for Memorial Day, summer BBQs, picnics, or anytime you want restaurant-quality pickles at home! 

💬 Comment "PICKLES" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for summer entertaining
📤 SHARE with someone who loves pickles!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/easy-homemade-refrigerator-pickles/
#Pickles #HomemadePickles #RefrigeratorPickles #DillPickles #PickleRecipe
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

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