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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Caramel Swirl Meringues

Caramel Swirl Meringues

candy· Cookies· Easter· Holiday Favorites· Valentine's Day
April 18, 2022

Caramel Swirl Meringues – Freshly whipped meringues are swirled with caramel sauce and then baked until perfectly crisp on the…
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Birthday Cake Pops

Birthday Cake Pops

cake· candy· dessert
February 10, 2022

Birthday Cake Pops – Confetti cake pops are covered in white chocolate and sprinkles to make for a cute birthday…
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Chocolate Hazelnut Toffee

Chocolate Hazelnut Toffee

candy· dessert· Holiday Favorites· Valentine's Day
November 30, 2021

Chocolate Hazelnut Toffee – Butter and sugar are cooked to make a yummy toffee and then mixed with chopped hazelnuts…
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Candied Pecans

Candied Pecans

candy· Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites· snacks
September 28, 2020

Candied Pecans – Pecans are coated in cinnamon sugar and then baked until crispy A couple months ago, I was…
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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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Black & White Cake Pops

Black & White Cake Pops

cake· candy· dessert
May 29, 2020

Black & White Cake Pops – Chocolate and vanilla cake are mashed together and dipped in white chocolate to make…
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Chocolate Gingerbread Truffles

Chocolate Gingerbread Truffles

candy· dessert· Fall Flavors· Holiday Favorites· Valentine's Day
December 16, 2019

Chocolate Gingerbread Truffles – Easy chocolate truffles are mixed with ground ginger and ground cinnamon and then rolled in ground…
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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

pumpkin challah bread sliced with a knife

Pumpkin Challah Bread

styled shot of Turkey Noodle Soup

Turkey Noodle Soup

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

close up pork chops on a plate with Dijon apple pan sauce on top and a rosemary garnish

Dijon Apple Pork Chops

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

a hand holding up a maple molasses cookie to show all the detailed cracks in the top of the cookie

Maple Molasses Cookies

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

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holiday favorite

styled shot of Pistachio Biscotti on a table with shelled pistachios sprinkled around, shot from a side angle

Pistachio Biscotti

plate of bananas foster french toast casserole on a plate with a bottle of syrup and a baking dish with casserole in the background, shot from the front

Bananas Foster French Toast Casserole

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

Pretzel Bread Pudding

Sweet Corn Risotto with Crispy Shrimp - Creamy, cheesy homemade risotto is taken up a notch with fresh sweet yellow corn and paired perfect with SeaPak Butterfly Shrimp and Clos du Bois Chardonnay.

Sweet Corn Risotto with Crispy Shrimp (+ wine pairing)

front shot of sweet potato cornbread in a cast iron skillet

Sweet Potato Cornbread

 

This Cranberry Apple Crumble is my absolute favori This Cranberry Apple Crumble is my absolute favorite alternative to apple pie - and here's why you're gonna love it too!

First of all, let's be real... making pie is SUCH a process. Make dough, chill dough, roll out dough, make filling, create pretty top crust, bake. It's just too much, especially during the holidays! And don't even get me started on that first slice that NEVER comes out pretty. I usually keep it for myself to save the embarrassment 😅

But THIS? This is SO much easier! It's the same balance of fruit and carbs you crave in a pie but with like half the effort. Plus it's scoopable, so no messy slicing! Hallelujah!

The cranberries pair SO beautifully with the apples - I've been embracing cranberries a lot more this year and I'm so glad I did! The tart berries balance perfectly with the sweet apples and that buttery crumble topping.

A few tips that will help you:
1️⃣ Slice the apples, don't dice them - better apple to cranberry ratio
2️⃣ Fresh or frozen cranberries work! DO NOT use dried
3️⃣ Let the crumb mixture chill for at least 10 minutes so it hardens up
4️⃣ Granny Smith apples hold their texture perfectly when baked

This crumble is warm, comforting, and absolutely irresistible. The only thing that can make it better is that generous scoop of vanilla ice cream melting on top! 🤤
Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or honestly any time you want something delicious without all the pie stress!

Want the full recipe? 💌 Comment "CRUMBLE" below and I'll send you the link!

#AppleCrumble #HolidayBaking #EasyDesserts #AppleDesserts #CranberryDessert  #DessertRecipes #ComfortFood #AppleRecipes
Okay so I need to talk to you about these Salami & Okay so I need to talk to you about these Salami & Cheese Rolls because they're basically my new obsession! 

I've been on a serious bread-making kick lately (there's just something about that smell, you know?!) and these rolls are EVERYTHING. They're kinda like stromboli but with way more bread, which honestly is exactly how I like it!

Here's what makes them SO good:
🔥 Light on the filling, HEAVY on that chewy bread
🔥 Stuffed with salami, mozzarella, and fresh basil
🔥 Topped with cherry tomatoes and rosemary
🔥 Served with a parmesan herb dipping oil that will BLOW YOUR MIND

Guys, about that dipping oil... I'm telling you right now it's NOT optional. That spicy, garlicky, herby goodness takes these rolls to a whole other level. Trust me on this!

The best part? These are surprisingly easy to make! You can even use store-bought pizza dough if you're short on time (though I give you my homemade recipe too because that fresh bread smell is unbeatable).

Perfect for game day, parties, or honestly just because it's Tuesday and you deserve something delicious!

Want the full recipe? Comment 'ROLLS' and I'll send you the link!

#SalamiCheeseRolls #HomemadeBread #BreadRecipe #Stromboli #GameDayFood #AppetizersRecipe #ItalianFood
These Strawberry White Chocolate Eclairs are WAY e These Strawberry White Chocolate Eclairs are WAY easier to make than you'd think!

I know what you're thinking - "Sharon, those look fancy and complicated!" But hear me out! Pâte à choux (that's the fancy French pastry dough) is literally just water, butter, flour, and eggs. That's IT!

I first made this dough for my white chocolate cream puffs and had SO much fun that I decided to level up with éclairs. But classic just isn't my style, so I made them STRAWBERRY WHITE CHOCOLATE! 🍓

Here's what makes these so good:
✨ Homemade strawberry pastry cream (thick, custardy, and SO pink!)
✨ Light and airy pâte à choux shells
✨ White chocolate ganache on top
✨ Dusted with freeze-dried strawberry powder
✨ Perfect for Valentine's Day, bridal showers, or anytime you want something impressive!

The filling process is actually kinda therapeutic - you just pipe the cream into each end until they're nice and full. And that white chocolate dip? Chef's kiss

Critical tips:
🎯 Keep the oven closed for the first 20 min or they'll deflate!
🎯 Use white chocolate BARS, not chips (they won't melt right)
🎯 The shells should be golden brown with NO foaming on top
🎯 Find freeze-dried strawberries in the produce or dried fruit section

These are perfect for impressing your friends, date night at home, or just treating yourself because you deserve it! The strawberry and white chocolate combo is absolutely heavenly.

Want to try them? 💌 Comment 'ECLAIRS' below and I'll send you the link to the full recipe!

#StrawberryWhiteChocolateEclairs #Eclairs #HomemadeEclairs #PateAChoux #FrenchPastry #ValentinesDayDesserts
Sliders are becoming my go-to burger and I'm SO ex Sliders are becoming my go-to burger and I'm SO excited to share these Italian Cheeseburger Sliders with you! 

Here's why you'll LOVE these:
✨ Smaller than regular burgers (less mess, more fun!)
✨ Crispy, juicy patties using the SMASH technique
✨ Balsamic caramelized onions that are SO simple but SO flavorful
✨ Fresh mozzarella + peppery arugula + Italian seasoning
✨ Adorable ciabatta rolls

The best part? These cook WAY faster than regular burgers because they're smaller! Perfect for when you're hungry NOW.

Fun fact: The colors actually match the Italian flag - red onions, green arugula, white mozzarella! How cute is that?! 

I used the smash burger technique instead of grilling and WOW. The patties get super crispy on the outside while staying juicy inside. Game. Changer.

Want the full recipe? 💌 Comment 'SLIDERS' below and I'll send you the link!

#ItalianCheeseburgerSliders #SliderRecipe #SmashBurgers #BurgerRecipe #GameDayFood #TailgatingRecipes #EasyDinner
Raspberry and chocolate is a match made in heaven! Raspberry and chocolate is a match made in heaven! I just love how the juicy, tart raspberries balance out even the darkest chocolate. This combo is hard to beat, especially around this time of year!

I took my favorite molten chocolate cake recipe and made it even BETTER by adding fresh raspberry puree and a fresh raspberry in the center. The result? Pure indulgence!

These mini molten cakes are:
🍫 The perfect individual serving size (no more giant cakes!)
🍓 Light yet completely decadent
💕 Romantic and festive with those gorgeous colors
⚡ Ready in just 35 minutes total

The best part? That gooey, molten center with the surprise raspberry inside! Every bite is heaven.

Want the complete recipe? Comment 'MOLTEN' below and I'll send you the link!

#RaspberryChocolateMoltenCake #MoltenCake #ChocolateLavaCake #ValentinesDayDessert #RaspberryChocolate

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