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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Chocolate Pecan Turtle Bars

Chocolate Pecan Turtle Bars

bars and brownies· candy· dessert· snacks
September 7, 2020

Chocolate Pecan Turtle Bars – Pecan short bread is layered with pecan halves, homemade caramel, and smooth milk chocolate to…
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Crispy S’mores Bars

Crispy S’mores Bars

bars and brownies· snacks· Summertime Favorites
May 14, 2020

Crispy S’mores Bars – Golden Grahams cereals is tossed with melted marshmallow and topped with more marshmallows and chocolate bar…
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Mocha Brownie Pie

Mocha Brownie Pie

bars and brownies· dessert· Easter· pie· Valentine's Day
February 25, 2019

Mocha Brownie Pie – Gooey chocolate pie with a hint of espresso and topped with homemade espresso whipped cream I…
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Monster Cookie Bars

Monster Cookie Bars

bars and brownies· Cookies
October 4, 2018

Monster Cookie Bars – All the flavors of the classic monster cookie – peanut butter, oatmeal, chocolate chips, M&M’s,- but now…
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Red, White, and Blue Pie Bars

Red, White, and Blue Pie Bars

bars and brownies· pie· Summertime Favorites
June 25, 2018

Red, White, and Blue Pie Bars – Cherry and blueberry pie filling are loaded into a soft, cakey bar that…
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Reese’s Crispy Cereal Bars

Reese’s Crispy Cereal Bars

bars and brownies· candy· dessert· snacks
May 21, 2018

Reese’s Crispy Cereal Bars – You’re average rice crispy treats are getting a makeover thanks to lots of peanut butter…
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Kentucky Derby Cookie Bars

Kentucky Derby Cookie Bars

bars and brownies· Cookies· dessert· pie· Summertime Favorites
May 3, 2018

Kentucky Derby Cookie Bars – You haven’t had derby pie like this – a chocolate chip cookie crust is topped…
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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 cinnamon monkey bread with a chunk out of it and sliced apples in front, shot from a side angle

Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread

closeup of mini pumpkin doughnut muffins with one with a bite out of it

Mini Pumpkin Doughnut Muffins

Apple Pie Cake

pint glass of pumpkin cream cold brew coffee with a metal straw

Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew

slice of pistachio loaf on a cutting board with the rest of the loaf in the background

Pistachio Loaf

Roasted Brussel Sprouts in a baking dish with melted butter and a spoon in it, shot from a side angle

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

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

Potato Dinner Rolls

a short glass with a gold rim filled with cherry bourbon spritz and a garnish of rosemary twig

Cherry Bourbon Spritz

slice of pistachio loaf on a cutting board with the rest of the loaf in the background

Pistachio Loaf

nutella fruit waffle on a white plate with waffles and fruit in the background

Nutella Fruit Waffle

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

Cranberry Apple Sangria

 

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
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

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