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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

S’mores Chocolate Chip Cookies

S’mores Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cookies
February 19, 2012

Did I mention that I’m kind of obsessed with s’mores? S’mores in a jar, s’mores pop tarts, s’mores cupcakes, s’mores…
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Homemade Pop Tarts

Homemade Pop Tarts

pastries
February 16, 2012

Homemade Pop Tarts – Flaky pastry filled with your favorite flavors: strawberry jam, brown sugar cinnamon, or s’mores. For this…
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Aussie Sausage Rolls

Aussie Sausage Rolls

appetizer· Tailgating Recipes
January 22, 2012

Aussie Sausage Rolls – A mixture of sausage, diced onions, and spices are rolled in puff pastry and baked to…
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Cheesecakes!

Cheesecakes!

cake
January 3, 2012

Cheesecakes! – A duo recipe with cappuccino chocolate cheesecake and white chocolate raspberry cheesecake. The first “difficult” thing I learned…
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Peppermint Shortbread Bites

Peppermint Shortbread Bites

Holiday Favorites
December 31, 2011

Peppermint Shortbread Bites – Super easy peppermint shortbread, slices into mini squares and covered with vanilla icing and crushed peppermint…
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Parmesan and Gruyere Cheese Souffle

Parmesan and Gruyere Cheese Souffle

appetizer
December 13, 2011

Parmesan & Gruyere Cheese Souffle – Fluffy eggs are mixed with rich Gruyere cheese and baked into perfectly airy and light…
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Story behind the blog

Uncategorized
November 6, 2011

At work, we get these AMAZING doughnuts from Sublime Doughnuts every Friday. And when I say amazing, I mean ah-may-zing….
Read More

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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

portion of sweet potato gratin being removed from casserole dish, revealing gooey center

Sweet Potato Gratin

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 slice of peach upside down cake on a white plate with the rest of the cake in the background

Peach Upside-down Cake

overhead shot of quinoa harvest salad on a plate

Quinoa Harvest Salad

oatmeal rolls sitting on a baking sheet

Oatmeal Dinner Rolls

slices of iced pumpkin scones drizzled with frosting on a wire rack on top of parchment paper, shot from overhead

Iced Pumpkin Scones

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

Red Velvet Macarons - A classic french cookie made with a red velvet cookie and cream cheese filling. A elegant little dessert perfect for bridal showers and tea parties!

Red Velvet Macarons

close up of slice of roasted strawberry bundt cake taken from the side to show the inside of the slice

Roasted Strawberry Bundt Cake

a pie plate of berry crumble pie, shot from overhead

Berry Crumble Pie

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

Pumpkin Cinnamon Crunch Muffins

zoomed in shot of a plate of sliced classic tiramisu with a glass dish of tiramisu in the background, shot from the front

Classic Tiramisu

 

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
Mixed Berry Fool – a no-bake British dessert mad Mixed Berry Fool – a no-bake British dessert made from sweetened smashed berries folded into fresh whipped cream!

I learned about this from my Great British Baking Show binges, you guys! A "fool" is just crushed fruit folded into whipped cream – SO simple! This version uses strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries for the perfect spring treat!

Everyone in my family loved this! Creamy, light, tart, and sweet all at once!
Pro tip: Chill the berries for 15 minutes but DON'T let them freeze – stir occasionally to prevent ice crystals!

Perfect for Easter, Valentine's Day, spring brunches, or anytime you need an elegant no-bake dessert! 🌸

💬 Comment "BERRYFOOL" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for spring entertaining
📤 SHARE with someone who loves berries

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/mixed-berry-fool

#MixedBerryFool #BerryFool #NoBakeDessert #SpringDesserts #BritishDessert #EasterDessert #BerryDessert #FreshBerries #SummerDessert #BrunchDessert
Apple Pie Slider Doughnuts – rich brioche doughn Apple Pie Slider Doughnuts – rich brioche doughnuts tossed in cinnamon sugar, sliced in half, and stuffed with gooey fried apples! 

I LOVE slider doughnuts, you guys! They're stuffed with SO much filling that you can't just pump it into the center – you have to slice them like a burger bun! These fall-inspired beauties are filled with sticky, sweet, crispy fried apples!

The secret? Brioche dough chilled overnight makes them extra tender and fluffy. Don't worry when they turn super brown when frying – that's just the extra butter and eggs!

Pro tip: Use a candy thermometer to keep oil at 360°F – perfect temp for fluffy doughnuts!

Perfect for brunch or anytime you want bakery-level doughnuts at home! 

💬 Comment "APPLEPIE" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for fall baking
📤 SHARE with someone who loves doughnuts!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/apple-pie-slider-doughnuts/

#ApplePieDoughnuts #SliderDoughnuts #HomemadeDoughnuts #BriocheDoughnuts #ApplePie #DoughnutRecipes #CinnamonSugar #FallTreats #BreakfastIdeas
Garlic Parmesan Pull-Apart Bread – homemade pizz Garlic Parmesan Pull-Apart Bread – homemade pizza dough balls tossed in herb butter, garlic, and Parmesan, baked into a gorgeous loaf and served with marinara!

This is the ULTIMATE party appetizer, you guys! My husband couldn't stop eating it – he ate HALF the loaf himself!  Each fluffy ball pulls right off and it's SO fun to eat!

The secret? Baking in a Bundt pan creates the perfect round shape with a center just big enough for marinara dipping sauce!

Pro tip: Remove from the pan while it's still hot – when it cools, the grease solidifies and makes it harder to remove!

Perfect for game day, pasta night, tailgating, or anytime you need a crowd-pleasing appetizer! 

💬 Comment "BREAD" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for your next party
📤 SHARE with someone who loves garlic bread!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/garlic-parmesan-pull-apart-bread/

#GarlicBread #PullApartBread #GarlicParmesanBread #PartyAppetizers #GameDayFood #HomemadeBread #BreadRecipes #AppetizerRecipes #PizzaDough #ItalianFood #TailgatingFood #ComfortFood
Garlic Parmesan Orzo – orzo pasta cooked in chic Garlic Parmesan Orzo – orzo pasta cooked in chicken broth with sautéed garlic, finished with heavy cream and finely shaved Parmesan!

Orzo is becoming my new favorite pasta, you guys! It's SO versatile! This garlic parmesan version is creamy, garlicky, and ready in just 20 minutes! Perfect for busy weeknights!

The secret? Cooking the orzo in chicken broth instead of water deepens the flavor SO much. Plus adding the Parmesan slowly ensures it melts smoothly!
Pro tip: Once it cools, the sauce thickens – just add a little milk when reheating to loosen it up!

Perfect as a side dish OR main course! Pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, steak, or roasted vegetables! 

💬 Comment "ORZO" for the recipe
💾 SAVE for weeknight dinners
📤 SHARE with someone who loves pasta!

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/garlic-parmesan-orzo/

#OrzoRecipes #PastaRecipes #EasyDinner #CreamyPasta #GarlicParmesan #OnePanMeal #QuickDinner #PastaSide #DinnerIdeas #EasyRecipes #ItalianFood #ComfortFood

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