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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Cinnamon Roll Doughnuts

Cinnamon Roll Doughnuts

breakfast· doughnuts and sweet rolls· Easter· Holiday Favorites
June 27, 2024

Cinnamon Roll Doughnuts – Homemade cinnamon rolls are fried to give them a golden brown outside but keeping that gooey,…
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Bakery-Style Chocolate Chip Muffins

Bakery-Style Chocolate Chip Muffins

breakfast· cake· dessert· Easter· muffins
March 29, 2024

Bakery-style Chocolate Chip Muffins – Sky-high muffins are loaded with mini chocolate chips, a perfect round dome on top, and…
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Mallorca Sweet Bread

Mallorca Sweet Bread

bread· breakfast· Easter· Holiday Favorites· pastries
February 2, 2024

Mallorca Sweet Bread – Fluffy, buttery sweet rolls covered in powder sugar. Perfect with a morning coffee! I first tried…
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Apple Cinnamon Stuffed French Toast

Apple Cinnamon Stuffed French Toast

breakfast· breakfast casseroles· doughnuts and sweet rolls· Fall Flavors
October 6, 2023

Apple Cinnamon Stuffed French Toast – Slices of Brioche bread are stuffed with cinnamon apples and then baked in a…
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Churro Waffles

Churro Waffles

breakfast· doughnuts and sweet rolls· Easter· Holiday Favorites
April 16, 2023

Churro Waffles – Homemade cinnamon waffles are finished off with a cinnamon sugar coating that reminds you of a theme…
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Jelly Roll French Toast

Jelly Roll French Toast

breakfast· doughnuts and sweet rolls· Easter
April 14, 2023

Jelly Roll French Toast – Pieces of white bread rolled with raspberry jam, dipped in an egg custard, grilled, and…
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Raspberry Toaster Strudel Copycat

Raspberry Toaster Strudel Copycat

breakfast· Easter· pastries· snacks· Summertime Favorites· Valentine's Day
March 20, 2023

Raspberry Toaster Strudel Copycat – Store bought puff pastry is filling with raspberry jam, baked, and then finished with a…
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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

Pecan Pie Brownies

styled shot of a stack of chocolate pecan pie cheesecake bars

Chocolate Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars

a trio of gingerbread souffles on a serving platter

Gingerbread Soufflé

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

Sweet Potato Gratin

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

Pistachio Loaf

Maple Pecan Scones

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holiday favorite

a plate of BLT benedicts on a cloth napkin with half a lemon in the background, shot from a side angle

BLT Benedict

close up of slices of cranberry orange loaf on a serving platter

Cranberry Orange Loaf

Peach & Goat Cheese Crostini on a platter topped with basil and balsamic vinaigrette, shot from a side angle

Peach & Goat Cheese Crostini (+wine pairing)

apple cinnamon monkey bread with a chunk out of it and sliced apples in front, shot from a side angle

Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread

cherry almond pastry cake with a wedge removed

Cherry Almond Pastry Cake

 

The Pumpkin Cheesecake Macaron! Pumpkin butter i The Pumpkin Cheesecake Macaron! 

Pumpkin butter is just like apple butter – a spreadable puree of deliciousness with tons of spices – but made with pumpkin puree instead of apple (duh). I've seen pumpkin butter sold in stores (near the jams and jellies) but it wasn't available at my store yet. 

So I just made my own using a recipe from Skinnytaste. I only made a half-batch and it was more than enough!

Side note: I've been using the leftover pumpkin butter to flavor my coffee in the mornings. Just a teaspoon goes a long way! 

Why these are special: These macarons are so delicate, yet chewy and BEYOND flavorful, you guys! Move over, pumpkin spice latte, there's a new favorite pumpkin treat in town! 

These are restaurant-quality French cookies you can make at home! Yes, they take some practice and attention to detail, but they're SO worth it! The "wow" factor alone is incredible, and they taste even better than they look!

RECIPE: https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/pumpkin-cheesecake-macarons/
These babies are called Peanut Butter Blossoms! T These babies are called Peanut Butter Blossoms!

The peanut butter cookie base is so soft and chewy, with just the right amount of sweetness from the sugar coating. And that Hershey Kiss on top? It's not just decoration – it's an essential part of the experience! Every bite has peanut butter AND chocolate!

Perfect for Christmas cookie trays, holiday cookie exchanges, bake sales, homemade gifts, or honestly ANY time you're craving that classic peanut butter and chocolate combo! 

Ready to make these classics? https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/peanut-butter-blossoms/
These Mint Chocolate Fudge Cookies have so many el These Mint Chocolate Fudge Cookies have so many elements that it was really hard to name them! They're chewy, chocolatey, minty, have a layer of buttercream, and a nice dollop of fudge on top. I decided 4 words were the max I could use when naming them so I settled on mint chocolate fudge cookies!

Mint cookies have long been a love of mine, whether it's a thin mint or mint cookie ice cream. I love the duo of chocolate and mint together, but it is EVEN better when the chocolate is in the form of a cookie! 

March tends to be the unofficial month of mint because of St. Patrick's Day and the Shamrock Shake at McDonald's making its annual appearance this time of year. So I had to give you a fun, new mint cookie to celebrate these flavors! 

Perfect for St. Patrick's Day parties, cookie exchanges, gifts for mint chocolate lovers, or any time you want to impress with a stunning cookie! 

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/mint-chocolate-fudge-cookies/
I present to you my Pigs in a Blanket Wreath! The I present to you my Pigs in a Blanket Wreath!

The wreath isn't hard to assemble at all! You just make the little pigs in a blanket like you normally do - using crescent dough and mini hot dogs - but just arrange them in a ring and bake. Simple as that! I added a little poppy seeds to step up the presentation a little. But if you have picky little eaters, you can leave them off!

About that dipping sauce... When serving the wreath, don't forget the dipping sauce! I love honey mustard with my hot dogs so that's what I wanted to serve with this wreath. But not just any honey mustard. No, no. This is a Dr Pepper honey mustard, guys! I make a killer Dr Pepper mustard glaze for my Thanksgiving ham so I know first-hand how well Dr Pepper pairs with the mustard flavors! 

https://www.certifiedpastryaficionado.com/pigs-in-a-blanket-wreath/
For this Roasted Tomato Mac & Cheese, I've topped For this Roasted Tomato Mac & Cheese, I've topped it with roasted tomatoes to help balance out the richness of the cheese and pasta. Because the tomatoes are roasted, they have a similar flavor you would find in a tomato soup. And we all know how incredible cheese and tomato soup go together! 

The combination of creamy, rich mac and cheese with those slightly acidic, charred roasted tomatoes is PERFECTION. It's like eating grilled cheese with tomato soup, but elevated! The tomatoes cut through the richness in the best way possible.

Perfect for cozy nights, family dinners, or potlucks! 

Ready to make this? 💌 Comment "MAC" below and I'll send you the link!

#MacAndCheese #ComfortFood #PastaRecipes

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