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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Rosemary Cheese Straws

Rosemary Cheese Straws

appetizer· snacks
June 5, 2023

Rosemary Cheese Straws – The Southern cheese straw is flavored with fresh rosemary to give them a sophisticated feel. I…
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Fig & Goat Cheese Crostini

Fig & Goat Cheese Crostini

appetizer· Holiday Favorites
December 6, 2021

collage of photos of fig and goat cheese crostini with descriptive text

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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Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels

Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels

Easter· Holiday Favorites· sandwiches & wraps· snacks· Summertime Favorites· Tailgating Recipes
November 21, 2019

Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels – Leftover turkey is rolled into a wrap with a cranberry rosemary cream cheese spread and dried…
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Rosemary & Olive Oil Focaccia Bread

Rosemary & Olive Oil Focaccia Bread

bread
April 26, 2018

Rosemary & Olive Oil Focaccia Bread – Incredibly fluffy and flavorful focaccia bread that comes together in less than 2…
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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

Apple Pie Cake

staged shot of pumpkin cinnamon crunch muffins with sprinkled pecans and pumpkins in the background, shot from a side angle

Pumpkin Cinnamon Crunch Muffins

photo of cinnamon apple kolaches with granny smith apples in the background

Cinnamon Apple Kolaches

close up of pretzel bread pudding slice on a plate in a pool of whiskey sauce

Pretzel Bread Pudding

zoomed in shot of a bowl of sweet potato gnocchi, shot from a side angle

Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Sage Browned Butter

a slice of chocolate pecan pie on a plate with another plate of pie in the background, shot from a side angle

Chocolate Pecan Pie

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

overhead shot of Cinnamon Roll Wreath

Cinnamon Roll Wreath

raspberry lime macaron sandwich on a white plate with lime zest garnish

Raspberry Lime Macaron Sandwich

plate of mini ham and cheese quiche with caramelized onions and a plan of quiche in the back

Mini Ham & Cheese Quiche with Caramelized Onions

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

a glass dish with pumpkin cinnamon rolls in it with some missing from the center and a spatula with a pumpkin the background, shot from a side angle

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

 

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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